A Bachelor’s degree in Communication is considered a generalized, multidisciplinary field of study that deals with the tools, platforms, and media that individuals utilize for open interaction.
This area of study integrates the social sciences, including anthropology, psychology, and sociology, with history and language. It also combines technical areas of study such as information technology and web media.
Typically, adult learners prefer to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Communications online over on-campus classes. The distance learning option allows them to pursue their academic goals and take leaps in their communication-related careers without compromising professional and personal obligations.
Featured Programs
Bachelor of Communications degree programs provide students with the foundational knowledge to pursue creative and technical skills to communicate ideas through different mediums. This curriculum often encompasses media studies, digital communications, and critical analysis while emphasizing the importance of understanding social and economic trends in global communication.
At the bachelor’s level, communication majors obtain fundamental knowledge in fields such as mass media, digital communication, and public relations. Students also learn the ethics and laws of media, globally and in the U.S.
There are also academic institutions that offer overspecialized tracks such as visual communication, business communication, and broadcasting. Students with an online undergraduate degree in this field normally pursue diverse careers in education, business, law, technology, and media-related fields.
METHODOLOGY
Are you ready to invest in your future? Our profiled list of 20 Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s Degree in Communication was compiled following a determination of the online schools across the United States with optimum program features. The following schools were listed in random order so you may locate a degree program specific to your needs.
We encourage you to navigate your options as you contemplate earning an online undergraduate degree in Communication based on the following offerings:
- Offers a wide array of challenging coursework in the field of Communications,
- Provides a wide arrange career opportunities, such as in Advertising, Journalism, Marketing, or Public Relations, and many others,
- 100% Online format availability, providing convenience and flexibility,
- Utilizes the most up-to-date and innovative technology used today in the field of Communications,
- Focuses on honing written and oral communication skills and presentations, digital media and graphic design, as well as print publication,
- Offers Financial Aid options,
- Proper Regional Accreditation,
- Positive reviews by students and academic resources.
Learn more by visiting our Methodology page.
BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN COMMUNICATION
University of Florida
Various Bachelor’s Degrees in Communication
The Communication Department at the University of Florida Online provides seven different communication-focused degree programs for undergraduate students. These include bachelor’s in Advertising: Persuasive Messaging, Communication Sciences, and Disorders, Health Education, Journalism: Sports and Media, Public Relations, Sport Management, and Telecommunication: Media and Society.
Some programs offer a unique avenue into the profession, such as Health Education and Sport Management degrees. These two choices give students an excellent education in communication as it applies to niche areas of the discipline rather than the other undergraduate programs that are more strictly and heavily focused on communication.
UF is an excellent online school well-known for its fabulous achievements in distance education. It regularly appears on rankings of the best online degrees, and students are well-supported throughout their academic and professional careers.
Liberty University
Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Emphasis on Communications
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis on Communications degree program with the objective of equipping students with the necessary skills and strategies to succeed in management and leadership positions. Students may deal with various communication strategies to solve conflicts and make positive alterations through several mediums.
The 120-credit coursework enables students to submit prior learning experience and certification for course credit by means of exams, military training, and proof of job training. Program options include Persuasion, Strategic Communication, and Digital/Social/Mobile Marketing. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Trine University
Bachelor of Arts with a Communication Major
Trine University is an affordable online school for a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. It’s highly competitive compared to most other distance education institutions on this ranking. It is also an excellent choice for active-duty members of the United States Military due to the Active Military Tuition Reduction, which reduces the already low tuition even further.
The undergraduate communication program is highly flexible and can be completed entirely at a distance. Classes are eight weeks in length, which makes Trine University’s one of the fastest communication degrees, as well.
The program can be fully completed in as little as one year. The curriculum provides a general approach to the profession, and graduates have the understanding and skill to work in public relations at hospitals, universities, government agencies, law enforcement, and more!
University of Minnesota Crookston
Bachelor of Science in Communication Online Degree
The University of Minnesota System provides outstanding online degree programs, and the Crookston campus is one of the most popular for distance education. Students at this school take a Bachelor of Science in Communication in which the general curriculum strongly emphasizes both practice and theory in the design, presentation, and analysis of well-thought-out messages. There are also three distinctive specialization options in Communication Studies, Organizational Communication/Public Relations, or Writing.
The program is also offered as an online minor. Throughout the degree, students create expert-level materials that can be put to use in real-world scenarios. The coursework is in-depth and immersive, and graduates have highly refined skills in oral and written communication and persuasive argumentation.
University of Central Florida
Purely Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Conflict Degree Program
Located in Orlando, Florida, the University of Central Florida offers a purely online Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Conflict degree program. This online program aims to provide ample preparation for students to work in various fields of study like dispute resolution, human resources, mediation, management, and arbitration.
Graduates can take education in the graduate or doctorate levels through subjects like management, communication, and law. The curriculum also consists of experiential learning requirements in order to handle practical concerns in the field after graduation.
Students find the university’s online resources beneficial because it involves a career services office providing online workshops, a virtual career hub, an office of financial assistance, an office of student involvement, and a writing center. Tuition is $6,368 per year. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
New England College
Bachelor of Arts in Communication with various concentrations
At New England College, there is a bachelor’s degree completion program in communication with various required areas of concentration. These include specializations in Journalism, Media Studies, or Public Relations and Advertising. As a continuing education undergraduate degree, students are required to transfer a significant portion of a bachelor’s curriculum from another college or university.
NEC supplies enough outstanding major, elective, and concentration coursework in the field of communications to give individual students the opportunity to personalize their studies. Students undergo practical training in the utilization of communications strategies and media technologies, while also gaining invaluable historical perspectives surrounding the major.
Missouri State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies
Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri has an online Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies degree program. Graduates of this degree program may enter careers in speech writing, fundraising, management, and mediation.
The 125-credit coursework consists of 33 credit hours of major courses like social movement communication, intercultural communication, and principles of public relations. Students may choose from six core disciplines, namely, ethical leadership, intercultural communication and diversity, interpersonal communication, or rhetoric.
Practical experience can be acquired if a student decides to take a one to a six-credit internship. Online students are also required to take a minor course in accounting or diversity studies. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Online Bachelor of Science in Communication Degree
Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers an online Bachelor of Science in Communication degree. This program aims to train students to become effective writers, presenters, and overall communicators while honing their interpersonal skills for marketing, public relations, and business writing purposes.
The 120-credit hour coursework can be completed in four years or eight semesters, given full-time study. From the entire coursework, 63 credit hours are major courses, which include persuasion, business and professional speaking, and communication technology trends.
Three disciplines in writing are emphasized, namely, organizational communication, public relations, and general communication studies for additional specialization. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University at Buffalo
State University of New York at Buffalo
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Degree Program
The University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York features an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree program. The degree program gives an extensive comprehension of the nature of human communication and its effects.
Graduates may pursue different careers in communication or study at the graduate level. Courses include Survey of Mass Communication, Promotional Writing, and Grant Writing for Nonprofits. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Mississippi College
Fast-Track Online Bachelor of Arts in Communications Degree
Located in Clinton, Mississippi, Mississippi College features a fast-track online Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree program ideal for working professionals. The 130-credit coursework is a combination of practice and theory, with practical coursework on writing, verbal communication, and effective public presentations.
Courses include history and theory of media and communication studies, interpretive reading, communication law, and public relations writing. There is also a required one-credit course, which aids students in making portfolios during the end of the program. Students are able to take at least 12 credits every semester through this fast-track program.
They also have the opportunity to choose from ten various concentrations, which include a generalist, marketing and sports media track. The academic institution has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
University of Arizona
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communications Degree Program
The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree program. This degree program puts a strong emphasis on issues like the social effects of media, persuasion, the influence of society, and information technology. Students make take courses in topics like relational communication, nonverbal communication, and communication and emotion.
Full-time students can finish the online degree in four years. Online students also have numerous benefits in the university such as free tech support 24/7 and discounted software. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Colorado-Denver
Online BA in Communication
Situated in Denver, Colorado, the University of Colorado-Denver offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree program. The university teaches philosophy, multiculturalism, rhetoric, and aesthetics. Online students can also access the university’s experiential learning team, which coordinates student internships and other professional learning activities.
Coursework largely focuses on topics like communication in the workplace, business and professional speaking, social media for social change, and political communication. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The City University of New York
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Degree With an Emphasis on New and Traditional Media
Located in New York, New York, the City University of New York (CUNY) offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media degree program with an emphasis on New and Traditional Media. The online degree is ideal for students to comprehend effectively and specifically hone their skills in global communications and social media trends.
It provides students with great career opportunities in communications, social services, media, management, and international organizations. Course topics involve Mass Media Ethics: Issues, Cases and Moral Reasoning, Studies in Communication and Culture Change, and Global Culture and Diversity. CUNY is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Colorado State University-Global
Online Bachelor of Science in Communication Degree Programs
Colorado State University-Global in Fort Collins, Colorado offers 20 specializations in terms of its online Bachelor of Science in Communication degree program. Some of its areas of specialization include:
- Criminal Forensics,
- Criminal Justice Management,
- Criminology,
- Data Management and Analysis,
- Emergency Management,
- Finance,
- Foundations of Accounting,
- Healthcare Informatics,
- Healthcare Management,
- Human Resources and Organizational Development,
- Information Technology Management,
- Information Technology Operations,
- Intelligence and Homeland Security,
- Marketing Operations Management and Supervision,
- Organizational Leadership,
- Professional Sales,
- Project Management,
- Public Administration,
- Public and Non-Profit Management,
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Every specialization class aims to strengthen the verbal and written communication skills of students. These online communication programs of the university can also help prepare students for management, senior, and leadership positions in the field. The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Bellevue University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Bachelor of Science in Communication Degree Programs
Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, Bellevue University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Bachelor of Science in Communication degree programs. The curriculum aims to tailor relevant information on communication skills with current methods. Some of the numerous skills that students can learn in these programs include comprehending important communication theories and their application to formal and informal communications.
Students can experience various opportunities in several areas of study like Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship, Internal and External Communications, and Global Communications. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Thomas Edison State University
Online Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Program
Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, New Jersey offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications program, which aims to discover the various areas of transmitting, evaluating, and creating messages delivered to and among individuals, societies, organizations, and groups.
Students may concentrate on communications courses on oral or mass media communication. Through this degree program, students learn to use communication in various fields and are prepared for the application of knowledge in a professional manner for the purpose of leadership and management.
The course options include Managerial Communications and Leadership Communications, Small Group Communication, and Telecommunication Processes and Policy. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Franklin University
Online Bachelor of Science in Communication Degree Program
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Communication degree program. Graduates have a wide variety of career opportunities that include public and community relations, corporate training and management, and interactive communications.
Course options include Internal Communications, Marketing Communications, and Digital Communications. The degree can be completed in 48 months. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Regis University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Degree
Regis University in Denver Colorado features an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree program. Through this degree program, students will be prepared for high-paying careers in the field. The leadership, management, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and team collaboration skills of students can be further improved as well.
The 120-credit coursework is composed of 45 credit hours of core studies, 12 credit hours of foundational courses, 38 credit hours of upper-division courses, and 12 credit hours of specialization and general electives. Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University of North Dakota
Fully Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the University of North Dakota offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree program where certain disciplines and specializations involve core courses.
The degree program also focuses on ethical analysis and handling of communication concerns and opportunities of individuals and groups, and the methods by which individuals can obtain, generate and share knowledge with others. The program enables students to accustom their degree to suit their professional, personal, and scholastic interests.
Online students can choose from five program options, namely Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Relations, Advertising, Print Journalism, and Media Studies. The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
University of Texas-Permian Basin
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Degree
The University of Texas- Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas has an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree program. Competent faculty members prepare online students for career advancement.
Graduates of this program may pursue careers in journalism, politics, management, advertising, law, social services, and medicine. Course options include Nonverbal Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Crisis Communication. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What career options can I pursue with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication?
A Bachelor’s degree in Communication serves as a springboard for students who want to pursue careers in media arts, digital arts, or broadcasting.
Since a communication degree focuses more on the honing of leadership and organizational skills as well as interpersonal effectiveness, graduates of this degree program can pursue careers in human resources, office administration, news writing and journalism, advertising and marketing, graphic design, and public relations.
What is the expected salary range of careers that require a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication?
Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in communication can earn a salary range of $41,950 to $67,120 annually, depending on experience. However, salaries in communication fields may vary based on specific job positions or titles.
How long does it take to complete a Bachelor’s Degree program?
Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in four to five years. For accelerated online programs, the bachelor’s degree in communication can be completed in 48 to 72 months.
What qualities do I need to succeed in the Communications field?
- Excellent oral and written communication skills: In order to share compelling stories and bridge the gap between your brand and its target audience, you must be able to masterfully deliver written and verbal messages.
- Creative Thinking: Working in communications requires you to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to drive engagement.
- Time Management: You need to be able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in order to produce high-quality work in a timely manner.
- Attention to Detail: From grammar to visuals, you must pay close attention to every element of your work to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Networking: Building relationships with industry influencers and staying informed of the latest trends in your field is vital for success.
- Strategic Mindset: You need to anticipate how your efforts will impact the goals of the organization.
- Flexibility: You must be prepared to adjust course if the situation requires.
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A Communications major is exceptionally versatile. Take a look at this interesting YouTube video today: