Effective and respectful communication is one of the most crucial skills that any competent individual or professional can maintain. The role of communication differs greatly in various contexts, and professionals in this area know how to navigate a discussion, presentation, or persuasion, to achieve the most effective results possible.
An online Bachelor in Communication degree is perfect for students who are seeking to continue their schooling in a graduate degree such as law or business administration. It is also highly regarded by potential employers because skills in communication are some of the most important points of a resumé. The communications major is highly practical and applicable to almost any area of employment. The twenty schools included in this ranking introduce students to a vast range of curricula in communication that can take them in one of the dozens of different exciting directions.
Current social, racial, ecological, and health care trends, because of increased anxiety and tension, have revealed the importance of effective communication. This includes all platforms of journalistic, entertainment, and social media such as television, print, radio, and internet news, as well as, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, blogs, and any number of other media outlets.
quick links
- Top Online Bachelor of Communications Degree Programs
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS
- BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
- CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
- REGIS UNIVERSITY
- STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK OSWEGO
- ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY
- ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY
- APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY EAST
- MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS
- EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY
- NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
- WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN
- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
- LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
- FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
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Top Online Bachelor of Communications Degree Programs
METHODOLOGY: This list includes schools that satisfied specific criteria. To be added to the ranking, each online college or university must have had all of the following:
- Bachelor of Arts or Science in Communication degree or it’s equivalent no matter its focus, concentration, or persuasion (i.e., journalism, business, theater, media, etc.),
- Faculty comprised of industry experts with applicable experience in Communications,
- Experiential learning/internship opportunities in the field of Communication,
- Retention rate (which is a sign of student satisfaction) of no less than 50%,
- Notability according to academic- and journalistic-based resources, such as U.S. News and World Report,
- Proper Accreditation.
In compiling this list, OnlineSchoolsCenter.com chose not to list the schools in any specific order but instead chose to highlight the very Best Online Bachelor in Criminal Justice Degree Programs, all of which have their own unique qualities and strengths.
For a deeper understanding, please see our Methodology page for more information.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS
ONLINE BA/BS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Program Standouts:
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ online option for a Bachelor in Communication is a broad approach to the discipline that gives students general skills and techniques with which to practice the profession. Graduates learn public speaking, business communication, the utilization of digital technologies, and other platforms of the major that are the most applicable to today’s job market. The degree is an excellent start for aspiring business professionals, as well as those who plan on entering a graduate degree of some kind. Students can choose to take elective classes that are influenced by the communication coursework that will lead them into specific areas of the industry, but mostly the curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of how, when, and why one communicates.
Campus Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Public Speaking
- Business and Professional Communication
- Digital Communication Technologies
Acceptance Rate: 92.8%
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate: 42.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO-COLORADO SPRINGS’ ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS DEGREE
BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. IN COMMUNICATIONS BACHELORS DEGREE
Program Standouts:
This highly celebrated online school offers a Bachelor in Communication Studies that has equal concentrations in both theory and practice and operates under the belief that one is just as important as the other. Students in this program are immersed in challenging scenarios wherein they must use effective communication strategies to resolve conflicts, persuade consumers, and reach diverse audiences. In this way, they develop well-founded communication skills that have been put to the test. The core coursework includes general theory and practice, but students also concentrate their curriculum in either Mass Media or Organizational and Strategic Communication. Bellevue is also dedicated toward giving students with as straightforward an avenue into positions of employment as possible and provides excellent resources with which to steady that path.
Campus Location: Bellevue, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Specialization:
- Mass Media
- Organizational and Strategic Communication
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 51.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES DEGREE
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. PROGRAMS-MAJOR IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Program Standouts:
California Baptist University’s online Communication bachelor’s degree is unique in that the coursework has a foundation in the ethics and principles of Baptist Christian ministry. The communication curriculum is instructed with respect to the mores and tenets of Christ, giving students a sound and moral compass through which to practice their skills. It is the intention of this online university to develop the spiritual transformation of students, as well as their professional enhancement. This degree is particularly well-suited to students who are seeking careers in public relations, as it offers a specialization in this area. These students learn to work in event planning, business and nonprofit campaigns, and social media directors.
Campus Location: Riverside, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Specializations:
- Communication General Program
- Public Relations
Acceptance Rate: 77.1%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 59.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES PROGRAM
REGIS UNIVERSITY
COMMUNICATION STUDIES ONLINE PROGRAMS-B.A.
Program Standouts:
At Regis University, online Bachelor in Communication students have two pathways through which to specialize their degree, and both are mostly pointed toward careers in business environments as human resources specialists, for example. The curriculum is well-designed for those who already have a professional or educational background in communication or those who are new to the discipline. Regis also offers an excellent Master in Communication program online for students who want to enter seamlessly into graduate coursework. This degree analyzes communication theories as they apply to social, interpersonal, and professional scenarios, as well as the dynamics of conflict resolution in the same situations. Regis University is a well-recognized online school where students can count on excellent distance education class formats, as well as instructors and faculty members who are steeped in online course delivery.
Campus Location: Denver, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Specializations:
- Conflict Management
- Leadership
Acceptance Rate: 59.9%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 45.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGIS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BA IN COMMUNICATIONS
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK OSWEGO
BROADCASTING AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS DEGREE PROGRAMS-(BA)
Program Standouts:
The State University of New York Oswego online Bachelors in Broadcasting and Mass Communications degree completion plan is designed to enhance the knowledge of students who already have an educational background in radio/TV, broadcasting, media studies, mass communications, or a similar field. Students learn how to create effective communication strategies overall media platforms in verbal, written, audio, and video formats. This online degree completion program can be completed in two years and provides flexible scheduling for adult learners and working professionals. SUNY Oswego graduates have filled communication positions in advertising, public relations, traditional and electronic broadcasting, and more!
Campus Location: Oswego, NY
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Sampling of Coursework:
- Critical Thinking and Public Speaking
- Mass Media and the Law
- Programs, Programming, and Effects
Acceptance Rate: 53.7%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 66%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK OSWEGO’S ONLINE BROADCASTING AND MASS COMMUNICATION COMPLETION DEGREE
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY
B.A. IN COMMUNICATIONS-ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Alvernia University provides an immersive online classroom environment in which Bachelor in Communication students engage in in-depth discussions and projects with classmates and instructors to learn how to serve communities by using well-established communication skills and techniques most effectively. The two concentration options take students in the direction of business communications and how to most ethically and professionally communicate with teams of employees, superiors, subordinates, etc. Graduates from this online school have gone on to work as managing editors, public relations specialists, and writers, earning around $60,000 per year. Other students work in the field as reporters and broadcast news analysts, leading exciting lives in the world of journalism.
Campus Location: Reading, PA
Accreditation:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Specializations:
- Strategic Communications
- PR and Advertising
Acceptance Rate: 70.8%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 51.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION DEGREE PROGRAM
ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY
ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES B.A.
Program Standouts:
This exciting and innovative approach to an online Bachelor in Communications and Media Technologies from the Academy of Art University focuses entirely on communication through digital media as a platform for strong messages and persuasion from an artistic standpoint. The curriculum includes coursework in utilizing media technologies as a tool for communication and storytelling, through which students learn to become media entrepreneurs and journalists. Individuals in this online program learn from industry experts and learn how to produce their own videos from production to camera work, to editing. Graduates go on to work in broadcast media as communication professionals.
Campus Location: San Francisco, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Sampling of Coursework:
- Visual Storytelling: Editing Fundamentals for Short-Form Video Content
- Multimedia Communications: On-Camera Performance
- Perspective Journalism
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 4.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES BACHELOR’S PROGRAM
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE- COMMUNICATION STUDY DEGREE-B.A. ONLINE
Program Standouts:
At Appalachian State University, an online Bachelor in Communication Studies students gains training, knowledge, and skill in interpersonal communication, public speaking, small group communication, persuasion, and nonverbal communication. The widely ranging course topics allow students to concentrate their degree in areas such as organizational communication, political communication, health communication, and more. Students work individually with faculty and staff members to design such curricula, and also to locate internship opportunities that most closely align with their academic and professional goals. The coursework is broken up into easy to understand contexts and groups so that individuals can design their degree straightforwardly and expeditiously.
Campus Location:
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Thinking Through Communication
- Argumentation and Advocacy
- Mass Media and Society
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 70.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE COMMUNICATION STUDIES UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
INDIANA UNIVERSITY EAST
B.A. ONLINE DEGREE-MAJOR IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Program Standouts:
Indiana University East pulls from many departments to form a comprehensive Online Communication Studies Bachelor’s Degree. The curriculum includes coursework in philosophy, sociology, political science, rhetoric, linguistics, and more, with a particular emphasis on communication theory. Graduates have used their Bachelor in Communication Studies to enter into a vast number of different career paths, such as business, education, film, foreign policy, and advertising. Students are required to choose specialized coursework in Relational Communication, Media, and Intercultural Communication that gives them a lens into the various avenues they could take with their major, and the internship puts students to work in an organization aligned with the faculty in an area of their choosing.
Campus Location: Richmond, IN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Interpersonal Communication
- Communication Research Methods
- Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication
Acceptance Rate: 69.7%
Retention Rate: 66%
Graduation Rate: 27.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA UNIVERSITY EAST’S ONLINE COMMUNICATION STUDIES BA DEGREE PROGRAM
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS
B.A. DEGREE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Program Standouts:
The Montana State University Billings online Bachelor in Communication has two specialization options and is maintained by the Department of Communication and Theatre. The Organizational Communication track educates future managers and human resources specialists who will work in business environments, or earn a graduate degree in communication or law. The Mass Communication track is more focused on the development of media strategies that reach broad populations through various platforms in print and electronic media. Students of this concentration typically go on to work in marketing, news, advertising, and public relations positions. MSUB is dedicated to fulfilling individual students’ career goals and provides all of the resources necessary to do so.
Campus Location: Billings, MT
Accreditation:
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Specializations:
- Organizational Communication
- Mass Communication
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%
Graduation Rate: 26.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS’ ONLINE COMMUNICATION BACHELOR’S PROGRAM
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
DISTANCE EDUCATION-ONLINE COMMUNICATION DEGREE-B.A.
Program Standouts:
East Carolina University online students major in a Bachelor in Communication with a concentration in Interpersonal/Organizational Communication. This degree was built to give students the broadest and most highly applicable skills and knowledge in communication. Coursework approaches a vast number of topics, from health to public relations to entrepreneurial journalism. Students can sculpt a personalized degree out of the exciting elective courses, or they can gather as many broad-based skills as possible in general communication theory. The coursework is meant to have a holistic effect on students’ lives by positively affecting communication in both their personal and professional lives.
Campus Location: Greenville, NC
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Family Communication
- Health Communication
- Conflict and Communication
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 61.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY’S DISTANCE EDUCATION COMMUNICATION DEGREE
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY
ONLINE ORGANIZATIONAL AND RELATIONAL COMMUNICATION UNDERGRADUATE B.A. PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s online Bachelor in Organizational and Relational Communication is another highly affordable option for distance education students, with tuition rates of $9,242 per year for in-state residents and $25,038 for out-of-state residents. This program lays an excellent foundation for an in-depth understanding of professional interpersonal communication and the utilization of effective strategies and techniques to resolve issues in the workplace. Alumni of this program have reported high rates of success in the usage of leadership, individual communication, and group communication skills, and have attained positions of employment in human resources, marketing, junior management, and public relations.
Campus Location: Kearney, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Persuasion and Propaganda
- Leadership Communication
- Rhetorical Theory
Acceptance Rate: 64.4%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 66.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA’S ONLINE ORGANIZATIONAL AND RELATIONAL COMMUNICATION UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
B.A. IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS-ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
There are two excellent opportunities to major in Communication-related degrees at National University, both of which are excellent programs to obtain jobs in the field of business. Both degrees are hyper-accelerated by offering 4-week classes, which are the shortest terms available at any online school, yet students have more time to focus on individual topics because they only take one class at a time. Since classes start on a month-to-month basis, applicants can apply and be accepted at any time throughout the academic year. Students can also take advantage of the abundant academic and career-based resources available at San Diego’s most popular private university.
Campus Location: San Diego, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
Program Options:
- Strategic Communications
- Integrated Marketing Communications
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%
Graduation Rate: 12.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION DEGREE
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. IN MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
At this online university’s Bachelor in Communication, students specialize in their major with a concentration compiled within the program’s elective options, giving them a considerable amount of control over their education. The School of Communications has partnerships across the country to facilitate internship and real-world learning opportunities for online students. Webster University also has excellent graduate degrees in communications, giving students a smooth transition into a master’s program if they so desire. The curriculum draws from both the School of Communications and the Communications and Journalism Department so that students have an all-encompassing approach to the major.
Campus Location: St. Louis, MO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Media Literacy
- Cultural Diversity in the Media
- Ethics in the Media
Acceptance Rate: 53.6%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 61.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WEBSTER UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BA IN MARKETING and COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN
COMMUNICATIONS B.A. DEGREE PROGRAMS ONLINE
Program Standouts:
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin has a Bachelor of Communication Online that is accelerated and affordable. Students at this online school pay a tuition rate of $6,206 per year for in-state students and $7,100 for out-of-state residents, and coursework takes place over 7-week terms. There are six start dates throughout the academic year giving students flexible options in the initiation of their undergraduate career. The curriculum is designed in a way that gives students a comprehensive understanding of the field of communication and all include the development of real-world practical skills. Faculty members at UTPB have gained national recognition for the incredible support given to their online students, and the online school itself is considered one of the finest public universities in America.
Campus Location: Odessa, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Organizational Communication
- Small-Group Communication
- Topics in Media Writing
Acceptance Rate: 89.5%
Retention Rate: 66%
Graduation Rate: 55.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN’S ONLINE BACHELOR IN COMMUNICATION DEGREE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MEDIA, AND SOCIETY ONLINE DEGREE B.A. PROGRAMS
Program Standouts:
Students attending this online school major in the unique and exciting Bachelor in Telecommunication Media and Society, which includes education in both traditional and digital media platforms and their effects on society. The program is an excellent bachelor’s degree for students seeking further education in a graduate program, and also facilitates entry into positions in sports, politics, business, and more! According to their website, this Telecommunication Media and Society major is one of the preeminent communication programs in America and has emphases in theory, practical methods, and techniques to produce messages of all intentions. Graduates have gone into professions in international communications, media campaigning, marketing, and research.
Campus Location: Gainesville, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
Sampling of Coursework:
- Media and Politics
- Sports Media and Society
- World Communication Systems
Acceptance Rate: 42%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 86.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA’S ONLINE BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN TELECOMMUNICATION MEDIA AND SOCIETY
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
ONLINE B.A. PROGRAMS-COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT
Program Standouts:
This online school provides a distinctive online Bachelor in Communication and Conflict that has a focus on problem-solving and resolution in the workplace. The curriculum prepares students to become counselors, human resources administrators, arbitrators, mediators, and other such positions where open communication is critical. This program is also an excellent starting off point for graduate school education. The curriculum trains students to approach complex and dramatic communication issues with interpersonal and intercultural respect toward all parties involved. Tuition at UCF is $6,368 for in-state residents and $22,467 for out-of-state residents, making this online school one of the most affordable in the country.
Campus Location: Orlando, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Relational Conflict Communication
- Crisis Communication
- Group Dynamics
Acceptance Rate: 49.9%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 71.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
B.A./B.S. ONLINE PROGRAMS-BACHELOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Program Standouts:
This Bachelor of Strategic Communication distance education degree is provided by one of the most well-established and popular online schools in that nation and educates students in how to utilize all of the various modes of communication in today’s technological era. Liberty University provides online students with high-tech communications resources as well as experiential learning opportunities to guide students’ educations. There are two concentration options available that guide the curriculum toward different career goals, yet both include general coursework that can be applied to any communications career. Terms are completed in accelerated 8-week formats that allow students to finish the degree in 3.5 years.
Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Specializations:
- Social Media Management
- Strategic Communications
Acceptance Rate: 29.8%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 42.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION BACHELOR’S DEGREE
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
ONLINE COMMUNICATION ARTS PROGRAM-B.A.
Program Standouts:
Students at Florida International University not only receive an excellent online education in the Bachelor in Communication Arts, but they are also taking advantage of one of the most affordable degrees of this kind in the country! Tuition rates at FIU are $6,546 for in-state residents and $18,954 for out-of-state residents—prices that are rarely rivaled at other institutions of higher education. FIU students are individually paired with advisors and success coaches that guide them through the degree from start to finish. The curriculum provides a stable foundation for those planning on advancing their education in law, business administration, social work, and education degrees, as well as many others.
Campus Location: Miami, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Specializations:
- Communication Arts General Program
- Organizational Communications Studies Track
Acceptance Rate: 54.1%
Retention Rate: 88%
Graduation Rate: 70.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR IN COMMUNICATION ARTS DEGREE
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes communication so impressive to employers?
The ability to effectively, respectfully, and intentionally express oneself is one of the most powerful skills that any professional can possess. Employers seek out these individuals because of their ability to persuade, problem-solve, and resolve issues. They are crucial assets to any team of employees in any organization. Not only is communication a highly sought after skill by potential employers, but it also makes a significant impact on expressing yourself in your personal relationships. Think of the times in your life during which ineffective communication resulted in a less-than-satisfactory situation, and now imagine what it would be like to have the skill and techniques needed to effectively communicate in any circumstance!
What will I do as a communication professional?
This depends on how you focus your degree/pursuits. Many individuals who choose this major go on to work in journalism and broadcasting, as it gives them the necessary tools to express their ideas in a clear and concise manner for specific audiences. Other career paths taken on by these graduates include public relations, human resources, political policy, politics, business administration, and healthcare. It is the student’s responsibility to choose the area in which they would like to contribute their expertise, as it is a hugely broad discipline that can be focused on innumerable pathways and avenues.
Do communications experts have job security?
Again, since this is such a broad area of learning, it is difficult to say whether one particular communication-based profession will have the same job security as the next. For example, reporters and broadcast news analysts’ positions are in decline, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, whereas technical writers and independent authors have a job outlook on the rise. It is essential to do individual research into communication professions before making a decision based on earnings and security. The BLS is an excellent resource for researching such information, to which readers can navigate via the link above.
What kind of responsibilities will I have as a communications professional?
The answer to this question also varies broadly according to their area in which you choose to work and study. Marketing communications experts will focus on persuading specific audiences to buy their product while public relations professionals will communicate with clients and maintain solid partnerships with them. Those working in the news or a government agency may be responsible for writing press releases and informing the public about certain events, issues, or opportunities. Duties are outlined from positions to position and organization to organization and are not clearly defined in terms of it strictly being a communications job.
How much will I earn?
There is no one answer to this question, considering all of the varieties of communication work, but to give some examples of yearly salaries: those who enter into public relations can expect to earn about $60,000 per year. Broadcast analysis and technicians earn about $43,000 per year. Technical writers make about $70,000 per year. As you can see, the salaries vary quite greatly, which is important to take into consideration before focusing your degree or career in a specific area, if money is a factor.