Advisement Center Frequently Asked Questions Graduation Questions I am planning to graduate next semester. Is there anything that I need to do? You need to apply to graduate the semester prior to your expected graduation date. Complete an Application for Graduation form that is located in a literature rack next to Moulton Hall 106. Turn in the completed form, along with $25.00, to Moulton Hall 106. You may also visit the Communication website for more information. Will I be notified if I have not met the graduation requirements? You will receive notification from the University of any outstanding deficiencies. To avoid receiving this letter, see your academic advisor regularly to update your plan of study. What if a required course is not offered the semester before I graduate? In most cases, a substitute course may be taken. Check with your communication advisor about what options may be available to you. When and where is the graduation ceremony? Check the School of Communication website and the Commencement website. How many people may I bring to graduation? Illinois State University does not limit the number of guests that you may bring to graduation. However, the best seating goes fast, so arrive early to ensure prime seating for your guests. Advising Questions How do I find out what I still need to take for my graduation requirements? Visit I-Campus, it now contains a full evaluation of your coursework. If it appears to be incorrect, or you do not understand, make an appointment with your advisor. How do I find out who my advisor is? Advisors are not assigned. You may make an appointment with an advisor of your choice. Who are the advisors? Ms. Judy Peppers and Dr. Penelope Long are undergraduate advisors for all majors within the School of Communication . Mr. Doug Jennings is the Communication Education advisor and Dr. John Baldwin is the Honors advisor. How do I make an appointment with an advisor? Contact the Communication Advisement Center to schedule an appointment with an advisor. You may call 309/438-7080 or come to Fell Hall 450 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4pm. I have met with my communication advisor. Do I also need to meet with an advisor in my minor? Yes. Each department or School is responsible for advising its own majors and minors. I am thinking about changing my major to Communication. How do I do that? You may download the Application from our website. Return the completed form, along with an essay stating your goals, and a proposed plan of study to Fell Hall 450. Decisions are made according to the quality of the student's admission materials and space available in the department. What are the admission criteria for the School of Communication ? Attend an informational meeting A minimum GPA of 2.0 Space available At least 12 hours from ISU May I take COM classes before I am accepted into the School of Communication ? COM 160 and 178 are open to non-majors. However, most classes are restricted to majors or require prerequisites. Check I-Campus for major-blocked classes and in your Undergraduate Catalog for prerequisites. So, how does a non-major take a restricted class that he or she would like to take? During summer school, communication courses are not restricted to majors. However, you need to check prerequisites. Who can tell me if any of my classes transferred from another college or university? Check with the Evaluations Office in Moulton Hall at 438-2282. Registration Questions How do I get into a class that is full? For COM 110, go to Fell 450 to pick up an override form. Majors and minors should go to the instructor once classes begin. Minors needing overrides to take open classes should go to the Communication Advisement Center . Once classes have met for one week, it is too late to add a course. I got a message on I-Campus that said I have exceeded the maximum number of hours for the semester. May I get permission to take more than the maximum of 17 hours? Make an appointment with your advisor. I received an email telling me when to register, but I have a class during that time. Should I leave my class to go register? Do not miss class to register. You may register for classes anytime after your assigned registration time. Curriculum Questions What are the curriculum requirements for a Communication major or minor? Click on the checklist link for your particular major or minor: Public Relations , Communication Education , Mass Communication , Journalism, or Communication Studies . Where can I get answers to my questions about the General Education Requirements? Make an appointment with an advisor. I've been out of school for a while. Will that affect the curriculum I will be under when I come back to ISU? If you have a break in enrollment, other than the summer, you may be subject to a new catalog curriculum when you are readmitted. Internship Questions What kinds of internships are available to communication students? Eligible communication students may take on-campus internships (COM 398.01) and/or off-campus internships (COM 398.02). Internships are available in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. What are the eligibility requirements for an on-campus internship? must be at least a junior (60 or more hours completed) 2.5 GPA minimum in major and overall major or minor within the School of Communication communication faculty member supervisor What are the eligibility requirements for an off campus internship? must be a senior (90 hours completed) 2.5 GPA minimum in major and overall major or minor within the School of Communication must be supervised by a School of Communication Internship Supervisor and by an on-site supervisor Where can I do an off campus internship? The School of Communication , along with your academic advisor will help you contact the appropriate internship supervisor. May I find my own internship? The internship supervisors are responsible for finding internships for students. Please give your supervisor your suggestions for internship opportunities. What if someone offers me an internship? Your internship supervisor is the person to talk to regarding offered internships. The supervisor will be able to determine if the experience will benefit you academically. Please note that each intern must be supervised by a communication professional. May I do an internship where I work? Internship credit is not available for doing your job even if the work is in your area of study. How does internship credit fit into my major or minor plan of study? Please see a Communication Academic Advisor (Fell 450) for the options for your situation. All 398 internship hours are counted as 200-level (senior) elective hours. How many hours do I have to work for my credit? In general, On-campus and Off-campus internships are typically 3 credit hours for 9 hours of work per week in a Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. An internship counts as a 200-level elective in your plan of study. Are there any limits to the number of hours a student can take in 398? The University will allow you a combined total of 16 hours from all 198, 298 and 398 professional practices toward graduation credit. Public Relations, Mass Communication, and Journalism allow three hours of internship credit to count toward the major plan of study. Communication Studies allows six hours of internship credit to count. Can I receive credit for an internship that I have already completed? No, you must be enrolled for credit at the same time you are doing the internship. Are there any other internship requirements? All interns are required to maintain health insurance coverage during the time of their internship. If you still have internship questions, please make an appointment with the appropriate faculty supervisor Click here for Internship Form Professional Practice Health Form