Explore online communications degree programs. Compare schools and see what you could be doing after you graduate with a degree in communications.
If you’re interested in things like marketing, publishing or media relations, an online communications degree can provide a nice starting point for your career and help you to enter the market earning an average of $59,230 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
You won’t even need to take classes on a traditional college campus. You can earn your bachelor’s degree from home through either a traditional or online accelerated communications degree program.
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Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Located in Boone, North Carolina, Appalachian State University was established in 1899.
The university offers online BS in Communication Studies and BS in Communication – Advertising programs. The full-time, 120-credit-hour programs both include 6 semesters, with 12 hours per semester. Courses are offered in 8-week sessions. A minor is required for both.
Appalachian State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Spread across five campuses in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona State University was established in 1885.
Online programs in Communications Studies available include BA in Business Communication, BA Mass Communication, and Media Studies, BS Communication, BS Technical Communication, BS Technical Communication – User Experience.
The school’s online bachelor’s programs are ranked #6 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Arizona State University has maintained continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Committee.
California Baptist University is a Christian university affiliated with the Southern Baptist Association. It was established in 1950 and is located in Riverside, California.
The online BA in Communication Studies program can be completed in 16 months, with 48 credits required for completion. The college was adjudged as one of the best online bachelor’s programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
California Baptist University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.
With its flagship campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University was established in 1891.
The 180-credit-hour BS Communication program is available both on-campus and online. The online course may have slightly different course categories. It is organized into 10-week quarters per year.
Students with a minimum C grade can transfer up to 135 quarter-credits from an accredited institution of higher learning.
Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Located in Greenville, North Carolina, East Carolina University was established in 1907.
The 120 semester hour online Bachelor of Science in Communication program has different concentration options. Students must complete general education requirements of 40 semester hours, and demonstrate foreign language proficiency if they take the journalism concentration.
There are 6 semester hours in the Core Area and 33-36 semester hours in Concentration Areas.
East Carolina University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Established in 1943, Florida International University is located in Greater Miami, Florida. The university offers a BA in Communication Arts and a BS in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
The 120-credit-hour BA in Communication Arts program is delivered in a flexible format that allows students to select classes and schedules (except the course in Advance Public Speaking) that suit them.
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Lamar University is located in Beaumont, Texas, and it was established in 1923.
The online BS in Communication with a concentration in Communication Studies has a 120 credit-hour requirement and can be completed in 48 months. The program is delivered in a flexible, affordable format. Payments can be made by the course.
Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Oral Roberts University is a Christian Evangelical institution. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it was established in 1963. Educational programs are in the context of a Christ-centered community.
Ranked as the best value school by U.S. News & World Report, the university offers BA and BS programs in Communications and a BS program in Communications. The communications programs are among the most popular majors offered.
Oral Roberts University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, the world-famous Purdue University was established in 1869. It has the fourth-largest foreign student population in the US.
The BS in Communication program has a 180-credit-hour requirement and has a course length of 10-week terms and course time commitment of 15-18 hours per week.
Purdue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Established in 1977, Regent University is a Christian institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The university offers a BA in Communication Studies and a BS in Professional Studies – Communication Studies. The total credit hour requirement for completing this course is 120. The programs are available on campus and online. There are 9 different areas of concentration.
Regent University received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Southern New Hampshire University is located between Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. It was founded in 1932.
The BA in Communication has 4 different career-focused concentrations. The 100% online program has a 120 credit-hour requirement for completing the degree and there is extensive access to technology. Credit is available for certain types of work or life experience.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University is located in Lubbock, Texas. It is listed as one of the top public schools in the country and also recognized as having one of the best online bachelor’s programs for veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
The online BA in Communication Studies program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete the degree.
Texas Tech University is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Located in Tucson, Arizona, the University of Arizona was founded in 1885. It has the distinction of being the first university to be established in Arizona.
The online BA in Communication is an 8-semester program, and there is no requirement for a pre-major. There are several interesting focus areas of study, and students can choose one according to their choice.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Established in 1871, the University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, Texas.
The online BA in Communication program has a total requirement of 120 credit hours for students to complete the degree. Of these, the university and state core requirements constitute 35 credit hours, with another 36 hours allotted for communication courses and 40 hours for electives.
The U of A has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Formerly known as Florida Technical University, the University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida. It was established in 1963.
The online BA program in Communication is available in Communication and Conflict, Creative Writing or Technical Communication. It is 100% online and has a 120-hour credit requirement. The program is estimated to take 4 years to complete.
The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Denver was founded in 1864.
The BA in Communication Arts program is available in both hybrid and online formats. Course length runs to 10 weeks, and there are 11 common core courses, with 10 major courses and many elective courses according to the student’s interests.
The University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Established in 1853, the University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida.
The university offers programs such as Bachelor of Health Science – Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS Journalism – Sports & Media, BS in Telecommunication – Media & Society.
The courses are offered by the University College of Journalism and Communications. The college also enables life-long opportunities for professionals to take short-term courses.
The University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1912, the University of Memphis is located in Memphis, Tennessee.
The College of Communication and Fine Arts offers an online BA in Communication. The core course requirement is 42 semester hours, and the general program requirements are 28 semester hours.
The concentration specialization requirement is 24 semester hours, and the free electives/minor requirement is 24 semester hours.
The University of Memphis is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Missouri – St Louis is located in St Louis County and was established in 1963.
The BA in Communication program requires 36 semester hours in Communications courses. At least 18 of them should be taken on campus. Though it is not required to take emphasis area courses, the degree can be completed in one of the available emphasis areas.
The University of Missouri-St. Louis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1890, Washington State University is one of the oldest in the region. It is located in Pullman, Washington.
The university’s Murrow College of Education offers a BA in Integrated Strategic Communication program. All students must complete 120-semester credits, of which 40 must be at the 300-400 level.
Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
A communications degree can prepare you for work in a wide variety of fields, including business, politics, publishing, advertising, and mass media. It’s such a broad area of interest that many people choose to specialize in it.
What specialties can you learn? It depends on your degree program. Some concentrations are offered as majors or minors; others can put you on track for licenses or certificates in a particular field.
Click on the degree you’re interested in to jump to that section of the page.
If you haven’t decided where your interests lie, that’s okay. You can look at different programs for a communications degree until you find something that calls to you.
The general field of communications is known simply as “communications” or “communication studies.” It’s a social science that can cover everything from public speaking to media marketing, and it’s designed to give you an all-around education in the subject.
A general communications degree is most useful to students who want to be a jack of all trades. Instead of going into a niche field, you can keep your options open with a more flexible, expansive education.
A general communications degree can also serve as a foundation for future study.
For example, you might spend your first few semesters as a general communications major before you decide on a concentration, or you might obtain a bachelor’s degree in general communications before advancing on to communications graduate programs.
A communications degree can also be paired with a major or minor in a related field. If you’re going into business, you might benefit from an MBA that’s supplemented with communications courses. If you’re interested in politics, you might enjoy communications mixed with sociology, political science, or global affairs.
Are you drawn to the bright lights of Hollywood? A communications degree can help you land a number of jobs in the film industry:
This is a highly competitive industry, so you might want to boost your resume with other credentials to stand out.
You’ll also need to build special skills for your desired job, especially if it’s something technical. You won’t become an animation designer with a communications degree alone!
Graphic communication is a specialty that focuses on images and illustrations. It’s similar to graphic design, and indeed, some graphic designers major in graphic communication.
However, graphic communication isn’t limited to the digital world. It can also be applied to “traditional” print media such as billboards, magazines, newsletters, brochures, and product packaging. It can also involve data and research instead of being a strictly creative position.
Wages for graphic communication can vary. While starting salaries can be as low as $30,810 per year, experienced workers can triple that and take home around $89,210 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
A lot can depend on your job title, too. An art director supervising an entire department earns more than a web design intern who is on the bottom of the totem pole.
However, even a low-paying job can transition into something more lucrative, so that’s something to consider when you’re thinking about a graphic communication career.
The medical industry might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a communications degree, but health communication is a thriving industry.
For example, jobs for health educators are expected to grow by 13% in the next decade, and that’s much faster than the usual 4-6%.
What are some other health communication jobs? They can range from content creators for a medical clinic to public relations representatives for a government-funded health organization.
Doctors need to communicate with the public just like any other working professional, and they need to inform, advertise, and announce things.
This is where health communicators come in. Speaking very generally, you can say that their job is to facilitate communication between the healthcare industry and the general public. They provide a valuable service to their field, so if you’re looking for meaningful, long-term work with a communications degree, consider health communication.
International business is a separate major from communications, but there’s a lot of crossover between the two, especially for students who are considering a career in business, marketing, global affairs, or political science.
Typical courses include things like finance and economics. Typical jobs include managers, product planners, operation supervisors, and logistics specialists.
You might work for a specific company and help them launch new products and services in a different country. You might work for an international agency that liaises between companies, governments, and travel bureaus to ensure that all laws are followed.
If you’re familiar with a particular country, you might even find a job as a cultural advisor.
If you’re interested in how business is done on a global scale, consider a dual major in communications and international business. It probably won’t be easy, but it can be a challenging career that keeps you on your toes.
Journalism is a common career path for communications majors. It combines writing, editing, and researching with exciting investigative work and the potential for fame and fortune. Who wouldn’t be drawn to it?
Despite the popular image of journalists, however, there are other jobs in the field besides the flashy ones. For example, you could work behind the scenes as an editor, researcher, or copywriter, or you could get a day job as a reporter or news anchor.
Journalism is a large, ever-changing field, especially in the digital age. It has a lot of potential for people who enjoy this type of work.
Public relations (PR) is another industry with many jobs under its umbrella. You’re probably most familiar with celebrity publicists, but you can also find work for companies, colleges, charities, sports agencies, and government institutions.
Another nice thing about public relations is that there are jobs available at every level of experience. Recent graduates can become assistants and interns; more experienced workers can climb the corporate ladder until they’re managers, directors, senior analysts, and public spokespeople.
Wages for PR work will vary. The median salary is around $61,150 per year, but there’s a big difference between the highest earners and the lowest earners.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the former makes around $115,430 on average, while the latter makes around $34,590 on average. The very top earners are in places like District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Washington, and they can take home as much as $109,390 annually.
You don’t have to stand in front of a microphone to be a communications major. Communication comes in many forms, including writing.
Some writers become journalists. Others become teachers, editors, publishers, or content creators. Some writers are freelancers who enjoy dabbling in different subjects; others concentrate their efforts in particular fields for legal writing or medical writing.
If you have a knack for the written word, you might like a career as a writer or author. It’s worth around $63,200 per year on average (Bureau of Labor Statistics), and that salary can climb to $72,850 if you’re willing to specialize.
An online communications program is pretty similar to a traditional one. You can typically take the same classes as your peers, and you can learn the same skills. The basic areas of study are unchanging. Here are some common communication courses:
Public Speaking: Public speaking can be a vital skill for people with jobs that involve communicating with the public. It’s a little harder to learn from an online course as opposed to a classroom-based course, but it’s possible with audio and video technology.
Communication Research Methods: Communication research is the art of studying, organizing, analyzing, and reporting on research data related to communications. If you want to learn about the efficiency of focus groups or the impact that press releases can have on a scandal, you’ll need communication research to do it.
Mass Media: The media can be one of your biggest tools in a communications career. It can also be one of your biggest challenges. A course in mass media or media relations can prepare you for the challenges of print, radio, television, newspaper, and film.
Organizational Communication: If you plan to work for a company, organizational communication can help you understand the ebbs and flows of information within a system. How does it travel between departments and networks? What communication channels should you expect in a corporate setting?
Digital Media: These courses can take many different forms, but they’re all focused on teaching you about the digital world. From the math of search engine algorithms to the effect of social media on public relations, they’re designed to help you understand the role that technology can play in a communications career.
You’ll have plenty of options with a communications degree. Not only can it teach you valuable skills that can be applied to many different industries, but it can also qualify you for a number of jobs within those industries:
Communication majors can become everything from sales reps to managers. You can also specialize in something like human resources (HR) or public relations (PR) to have niche, in-demand skills in the business world.
If you’re gifted with the power of persuasion, a communications degree can help you become a media planner, promotions manager, social media strategist, or market research analyst. You can find work as both a creative and a data-oriented numbers person.
Politics and communications go hand in hand. There are even special degree programs for political communication that can prepare you for things like debates, speeches, and elections.
Do you dream of becoming a reporter, announcer, journalist, or news correspondent? Would you love working as a translator or interpreter? A communications degree can open doors in these fields.
A communications degree can get you started in a writing or researching career. Just know that you might need additional qualifications if you want to become something like a teacher, editor, or curator.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, media and communication jobs have an average salary of $59,230 per year. However, this can fluctuate depending on your exact title, industry, and skill set.
Another factor to consider is how long you’ve worked at your job. For example, journalists earn $46,270 on average, but more experienced journalists can earn $75,920 or more.
This pay scale isn’t a guarantee, of course, but broadly speaking, more experience will earn you more money.
There are many benefits to joining a professional organization in your chosen field. Not only can they provide a lot of resources for students, but they can also help you stay on the cutting edge of research and industry developments once you’ve landed a job.
Consider joining one of these organizations as a student to augment your education and provide job internships or job opportunities as graduation approaches.
You’ll want your communications degree to come from an accredited university. Employers expect it, and financial aid depends on it. The easiest way to find an accredited degree program is to run a search through an accrediting board.
For example, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications has stamped their approval on more than 115 schools.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business has vetted a number of programs for business, communications, marketing, accounting, and public relations.
You can also lookup individual colleges and check their accreditation. If they’re a legitimate institution, they should volunteer the information freely and be accredited a regional board.
If you can’t afford a communications degree on your own, that’s okay. Financial aid can help.
An important thing to note about financial aid is that it isn’t always “need” based. Even if you make too much money to qualify for low-income grants and scholarships, you might still be eligible for merit-based awards or industry-specific loans.
Yes, a communications degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 4% job growth in media and communication occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include public relations manager, content strategist, public relations specialist, and journalist.
A communications degree can open a lot of doors. It can be useful in many different fields, including law, business, politics, publishing, advertising, and media relations.
It’s also possible to obtain a communications degree online, so even if you can’t make it to a college campus, you can earn your credentials from home.
All things considered, a communications degree is a smart educational choice. It will look good on a resume, and it can give you real-world skills that you can apply to various jobs. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in media, a communications degree can be a solid foundation. Consider it an investment for the future.
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