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 2020–2021 academic year. Read this year's program catalog to see our recommended course sequence for this program. 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: 33
- Minor and Elective Courses: 46
- General Education Courses: 41
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.
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.
Working full time and taking care of two disabled children is challenging enough, but adding college to that mix - how did they do it? Monique and Dermaine talk about how the high quality and rigor of UMGC's instruction kept them motivated and helped advance their careers.
UMGC provides the opportunity a lot of times for students to apply their knowledge to a real-life scenario…. I think that’s very effective.
Monica Graves
Veteran, Army
Legal Secretary, National Labor Relations Board
Psychology Bachelor's Degree
Spanish for Business and the Professions Undergraduate Certificate
Member
My education has helped me to be more aware of many things in life, but it also helped me to be better prepared for the real world.
Jennifer Aguilar
Military Spouse
English Bachelor's Degree
If not for . . . the awesome advisors that I was blessed to encounter at UMGC and just amazing instructors and professors, I wouldn't be here today. It changed my life. It changed what I was able to do in my present career. And it's changed the trajectory of what I'm going to be able to do.
Monique Wardrick
Veteran, Air Force
Communication Studies Bachelor's Degree
Student Clubs and Organizations
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.
About the Faculty
Our world-class faculty members combine academic credentials with a wealth of experience in the field.
Our faculty work or have worked at organizations including
- CIA
- NSA
- New York Times
- Washington Post