Whether you're interested in journalism, public relations, business, or digital communication, you can build a firm base of knowledge while you earn a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies at University of Maryland Global Campus.

In this major, you'll apply communication theories and best practices to communicate about events and ideas among a population. In addition, you'll learn to work with individuals and groups professionally and manage communications within ethical, legal, and financial parameters.

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2021–2022 academic year. For prior year academic requirements, visit our catalog archive.

This program is also available as a minor.

About the Communication Studies Bachelor's Degree

What You'll Learn

Through your coursework, you will learn how to

  • Apply analytical skills in interpreting, using, and delivering information, particularly through mass media
  • Create professional and appropriate written, oral, and visual communications for specific purposes and diverse audiences
  • Design, create, and select multimedia components and integrate them into print, broadcast, and online formats
  • Work with individuals and groups in ways that reflect an understanding of both communication theory and professional expectations
  • Understand diverse and intercultural perspectives as they affect communication
  • Design and employ specific research methods and tools to gather information

Coursework Examples

In past projects, students have had the opportunity to

  • Write a speech for a hypothetical executive and organization
  • Write news articles in various journalistic styles
  • Write a comprehensive public relations plan and create messages targeting specific audiences

Communication Studies Bachelor's Degree Requirements

Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.

Courses in the Major

Total Credits Required: 120

Required Major Courses

  • SPCH 100 or any SPCH course
  • COMM 207 or any COMM course
  • JOUR 201
  • COMM 300
  • COMM 302
  • SPCH 324
  • JOUR 330 or any upper-level JOUR course
  • COMM 400 or any upper-level COMM course
  • SPCH 470 or any upper-level SPCH course
  • COMM 390 or any upper-level COMM course
  • COMM 495

General Education Requirements

UMGC outlines the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees on the General Education Requirements webpage.

In addition to the major, elective, and general education courses and requirements outlined on this page, please review the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Recommended Course Sequence

This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. This sequence incorporates course prerequisites and program requirements but does not list course alternatives that may be available. You may take multiple courses simultaneously, up to your course load limit. You cannot take a prerequisite with its subsequent course during the same session. Your plan will be unique and dependent on multiple factors, including the number of credits you transfer to this program.

Contact an advisor if you any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.

Note: Students who have an interest in eventually continuing to a bachelor's degree in any computing field should consult with an advisor to select the most appropriate course for the math general education requirement.

Sequence Course Requirement(s) Fulfilled
1

LIBS 150

General Education: Research & Computing Literacy
2

PACE 111C

General Education: Research & Computing Literacy
3

WRTG 111

General Education: Communication
4

SPCH 100

Major
5

NUTR 100

General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences
6

COMM 207

Major
7

WRTG 112

General Education: Communication
8

MATH 105

General Education: Math
9

COMM 202

General Education: Communication
10

JOUR 201

Major
11

HUMN 100

General Education: Arts & Humanities
12

BIOL 103

General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences
13

BEHS 103

General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences
14

ARTH 334

General Education: Arts & Humanities
15

IFSM 201

General Education: Research & Computing Literacy
16

ECON 103

General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences
17

COMM 300

Major
18

3-credit elective course

Elective
19

COMM 302

Major
20

3-credit elective course

Elective
21

SPCH 324

Major
22

3-credit elective course

Elective
23

JOUR 330

Major
24

WRTG 391

General Education: Communication
25

3-credit elective course

Elective
26

COMM 400

Major
27

3-credit elective course

Elective
28

3-credit elective course

Elective
29

SPCH 470

Major
30

3-credit elective course

Elective
31

3-credit elective course

Elective
32

COMM 390

Major
33

3-credit elective course

Elective
34

3-credit elective course

Elective
35

3-credit elective course

Elective
36

3-credit elective course

Elective
37

3-credit elective course

Elective
38

3-credit elective course

Elective
39

3-credit elective course

Elective
40

COMM 495

Major
41

1-credit elective course

Elective

Career Preparation

This program is designed to help prepare you for a career in mass media, new media, journalism, public relations, business, or online communication.

Student Clubs and Organizations

  • Communication Student Association

    • Type: Student organization
    Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate

    The Communication Student Association hosts several events and activities that provide students with relevant information that can guide them toward working in communications-related professions.



Finance Your Education

Learn about ways to meet, manage, and lower your education costs.