School of Arts, Media & Communication

The School of Arts, Media & Communication offers undergraduate and graduate study in communication and the visual and performing arts. The School strives to prepare students for productive lives in a diverse multicultural world by developing intellectual and creative, communication, and critical thinking skills. It provides majors and minors in specialized subjects in the visual arts, graphic design, music, theatre, dance, communication and media. Teaching provides advanced knowledge and skills in a setting that emphasizes interaction among students and faculty. The School seeks to develop habits of learning and a commitment to lifelong inquiry and intellectual growth.

School of Arts, Media and Communication (SAMC)

The mission of the School of Arts, Media & Communication is to develop and promote collaboration, innovation, and creation among students and faculty in visual arts, music, theatre, dance, media, and communication. SAMC students engage in experiential learning, develop leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills, and apply 21st century technology in service of expressing and understanding human experience.  SAMC offers cultural enrichment and collaborative opportunities to all university students and members of the South Texas community. To support this mission, the School of Arts, Media & Communication subscribes to the highest academic, artistic, and ethical standards.

Specialized Accreditation and Approval

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Total Hours

A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit is required for the baccalaureate degree. Some curricula or combinations of fields require more. No remedial coursework may apply toward the degree.

Upper-Division Hours

A minimum of 45 semester hours of upper-division credit (junior- and senior-level course hours) is required for the baccalaureate degree.

Major-Study Requirements

A student must attain a minimum of 30 semester hours in the major field of study, not including any coursework taken as part of the Core Curriculum Program. At least 18 of these 30 hours must be upper-division (numbered 3000 or above) courses. Some curricula or combinations of fields require more. Specific course and major-study hour requirements for each discipline are given in the discipline course listing section of this catalog. Please consult that section for specific requirements that must be met for each disciplinary major. 

Minor-Study Requirements

To attain a minor in the School of Arts, Media & Communication, a student must complete the program designed for that minor. Each minor consists of a minimum of 18 semester hours, at least 12 semester hours of which must be at the upper-division level excluding Music minors. Some specific fields may require more. Only 6 semester hours that count toward a major may be applied to a minor or certificate. At least 9 semester hours in the minor must be taken in residence at A&M-Corpus Christi. The student must have an overall GPA of 2.0 in the minor field. Specific course and major-study hour requirements for each discipline are given in the discipline course listing section of this catalog. Please consult that section for specific requirements that must be met for each disciplinary minor. Requirements for interdisciplinary minors are listed in this section of the catalog.

Course Requirements

Students are expected to meet all course requirements indicated in the course syllabus.

Residence Requirement

The term “residence” is here defined as “coursework completed at the degree granting institution.” To be granted a baccalaureate degree from A&M-Corpus Christi, a student must successfully complete at least 30 semester hours of upper-division coursework from this university. A minimum of 12 hours of these 30 must be in the major. Hours earned by credit by examination may not be used to fulfill the residence requirement. Hours earned through credit by examination at another institution will likewise not affect the residence requirement calculation.

Grade-Point Average

A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 (“C”) on a 4-point scale in all work taken at this University is required for graduation. Additionally, a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 (“C”) is required in all courses applied to the student’s declared major field of study, and in all courses applied to any declared minor field of study for conferral of degree. Individual disciplinary fields, however, may set higher standards than the School minimum for their majors and minors.

Activity Courses

A maximum of 4 semester hours of Kinesiology activity coursework may be included as elective credit in the BA, BM, and BFA degree programs.

General Education Requirement

Students must meet the University’s General Education requirements, which include the 42 hour core curriculum (see sections entitled “Undergraduate Programs” and “Core Curriculum Program”) and First-Year Seminars.

School Language Requirement

All students majoring in degree programs offered by this School, other than the BFA in Art and specific concentrations under the BM in Music (Instrumental Teacher Certification, Vocal Teacher Certification, and Instrumental Performance) are required to take 6 college-level hours of a second language. Placement in a language course will be at the student’s proficiency level as determined by an assessment test, if available at the College of Liberal Arts. Students may also obtain credit by any of the alternative means described below. Language means a language in the traditional sense, i.e., a language with a culture, such as Spanish or French. American Sign Language is accepted. Language does not include artificial or computer languages.

One may satisfy this requirement in one of two ways:

  • earning a CLEP, AP, or ACTFL test score equivalent to one year of language study at A&M-Corpus Christi;
  • successfully completing two semesters of a single foreign language at the University.

Spanish Placement Test

If students decide to meet this requirement by taking two semesters in Spanish at this university, they must take the Spanish Placement test prior to registering in order to enroll in the appropriate language course. The test will be used to determine whether the student should register for Spanish 1311, 1312, 2311, 2313 or any upper division Spanish classes. This test does not give you university credits, nor does it provide a waiver for the requirement. The test is free of charge to registered TAMU-CC students and can be taken from any computer with network access to TAMUCC’s Learning Management System (LMS).  After taking the test, students will be contacted via the LMS, My Grades. Soon after taking and submitting the test, students will be contacted with information about the most appropriate class for them based on their test results.

Students who score 1-40 will be automatically placed in SPAN 1311. Those who score 41-60 will be automatically placed in SPAN 1312. Finally, students with scores 61 and above will be evaluated by Spanish faculty, who will contact students with further information about appropriate course placement and registration.

Further information about the Spanish Placement Test can be obtained from the Spanish Program in the College of Liberal Arts or by visiting its web site under Spanish Placement Test.

All ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, and SPAN courses will meet this requirement.

Foreign students who have successfully taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may elect to choose English as their second language. English is considered to be the first language for all other students. Additionally, international and naturalized students who have provided proof of completion of high school in a foreign language (their native language) and who have successfully completed the English Composition and Oral Communication components of the University Core Curriculum Program may choose English as their second language to meet this requirement. English is considered to be the first language for all other students.

Degree Plan

The degree plan is the formal statement of requirements that must be completed before a degree will be granted. When the student is prepared to declare a major program of study within a particular discipline, the student should prepare a formal degree plan. It is recommended that the student have decided on a major program of study and prepare a degree plan no later than the second semester of the sophomore year. If the student is transferring into the University at a point after the second semester of the sophomore year, it is recommended that a degree plan be prepared during the student’s first semester of residence.

Degree plans are reviewed and confirmed by a SAMC advisor. The University uses an online Degree Audit system.  Any amendment must be approved by the Department Chair and the Office of the Director. All courses and requirements specified in the final degree plan audit must be completed before a degree will be granted.

Interdisciplinary Minors

The School offers the following interdisciplinary minors. Minors require a minimum of 18 semester hours beyond the Core, a minimum of 12 semester hours at the upper-division level, and a minimum of 9 semester hours in residence. See the alphabetized program listing for a description of the following interdisciplinary minors:

The following College of Liberal Arts Interdisciplinary Minors incorporate SAMC courses:

Teacher Certification Programs

Students seeking certification in all levels in art, music, or theatre must major in an approved teaching field and complete all major study and related requirements for a baccalaureate degree in that field. Students must also meet teacher certification requirements as stipulated by the College of Education and Human Development. Students are urged to consult the Certification Office of the College of Education and Human Development for complete and current information about teacher certification requirements.

Major study programs in the School of Arts, Media & Communication offering teacher certification are:

  • Art
    • Art - Grades EC-12
  • Music
    • Music Grades EC-12
  • Theatre
    • Theatre Arts Grades EC-12

Major study and course requirements for teacher certification are detailed in the discipline course listing sections of this catalog. For more information regarding teacher certification, please consult the College of Education and Human Development section of this catalog.

In addition to the academic specializations discussed above, teacher certification programs require the following in general education and professional development:

Core Curriculum Program42 hrs
First-Year Seminar (if required)0-2 hrs
Professional Development Courses27 hrs

Please see the Certification Office in the College of Education and Human Development for Professional Development courses needed for certifications.

Grade Point Average

A minimum grade point average of 2.75 in all academic work or last 60 hours of 2.75 attempted and no grade below “C” in education courses within the professional education block of courses is required. (See College of Education and Human Development, “Admission to Teacher Education” and “Admission to Student Teaching” for other requirements.) Specific disciplines may require a higher GPA in the field of study than a 2.75. Please refer to the specific certification discipline for GPA requirement in the subject of field.

Certification Examination

Upon satisfactory completion of all subject field and professional development courses, a student may register for the subject field certification examination, called TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards). A student wishing to take the TExES prior to program completion must satisfy the following:

  • Make pre-specified acceptable scores on TExES practice tests, or departmental equivalent, and participate in practice test review(s) and analysis session(s).
  • Provide official permit with signature of Program Coordinator or designated person for each teaching field on the student’s certification plan.

Alteration of a Certification Plan

Any amendment to a degree plan originally filed must be approved by the student’s academic advisor, the Department Chair, and the Certification Officer of the College of Education and Human Development for the degree to be granted.

Special Courses

Cross-Listed Courses

Some courses may be cross-listed by two or more disciplines. Such courses may be counted as part of the required hours for a particular major by registration for the appropriate course prefix. Cross-listed courses may not be repeated under another prefix for additional credit.

Topics Courses (1-3 sem. hrs.)

Undergraduate topics courses are offered in most areas of study in the School under the 4390 number. The subject of study varies and is announced in the semester schedule. These courses may be repeated for credit when topics vary.

Individual Study Courses

Directed Individual Study (DIS) 4396 1-3 sem. hrs.

Directed Individual Study is a carefully planned special study on an academic topic not offered as part of the regular undergraduate curriculum. DIS is carried out as a tutorial under the direction of, and evaluated by, a regular member of the faculty of the School of Arts, Media & Communication. Enrollment is restricted to advanced students who have demonstrated both academic ability and the capacity for independent work. Enrollment is by application only and must be approved by the instructor and Department Chair in advance of registration. Completed applications must be received in the Director’s Office by the last class day of the semester preceding intended enrollment. Prerequisites: 1) At least 6 semester hours of classroom coursework in the field at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 2) A minimum GPA of 3.0 on all work in the field at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 3) At least one previous classroom course with the supervising instructor. A maximum of 6 semester hours of 4396 credit may be counted towards the baccalaureate degree.

Applied Experience 4398 3 sem. hrs.

Applied Experience is a practical work experience related to the student’s major area of study and career goals. It is intended to provide an opportunity for a student to gain first-hand experience in an unfamiliar field. Consequently, Applied Experience credit may not be granted for a student’s regular work assignment or for previous work experience. Registration is by application. The application must include a clearly written description of the duties and responsibilities involved in the Applied Experience project, and be signed by the student, the on-site supervisor, and the faculty supervisor. Completed applications must be received in the Director’s Office by the last class day of the semester preceding intended registration. This course is graded “credit” or “no credit.” No more than three semester hours of Applied Experience credit may be counted toward the baccalaureate degree. Undergraduate Applied Experience courses will include no less than one hundred hours and no more than 150 hours of work experience per semester.

Workshop Courses (1-6 sem. hrs.)

Undergraduate workshop courses are offered in a variety of areas of study in the School ending in a 0099 series number. The subjects vary and are announced in the semester schedule. These courses may be repeated when topics vary.

Undergraduate Courses

All course descriptions are located in Courses A-Z.

Programs