Industry Snapshot
This program is designed to help prepare you for a career in mass media, new media, journalism, public relations, business, or online communication.
Online Bachelor’s Degree
Communication Studies
Communication Studies
Bachelor of ArtsAT A GLANCE
- 120 credits
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- All courses available online
- Select hybrid courses available
TUITION
- $318 per credit (in-state)
- $499 per credit (out-of-state)
- $250 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Next Session Starts
June 14Prepare for a career in the ever-growing media landscape.
Earn an online bachelor’s degree in communication studies from UMGC and build a firm base of knowledge to boost your career in a variety of communication sectors. The curriculum, designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars, combines theories with real-world applications and practical skills to help you better convey information to a variety of populations. Whether you’re interested in journalism, public relations, business, or digital communication, this degree will help you master communication within ethical, legal, and financial parameters.
- Courses
- Requirements
- Sequence
Total Credits Required: 120
Required Major Courses: 33 Credits
- (3 Credits, SPCH 100) or any SPCH course
- (3 Credits, COMM 207) or any COMM course
- (3 Credits, JOUR 201)
- (3 Credits, COMM 300)
- (3 Credits, COMM 302)
- (3 Credits, SPCH 324)
- (3 Credits, JOUR 330) or any upper-level JOUR course
- (3 Credits, COMM 400) or any upper-level COMM course
- (3 Credits, SPCH 470) or any upper-level SPCH course
- (3 Credits, COMM 390) or any upper-level COMM course
- (3 Credits, COMM 495)
General Education Courses: 41 Credits
Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees.
Minor and Elective Courses: 46 Credits
Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.
This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. 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 have any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.
| Sequence | Course | Requirement(s) Fulfilled |
| 1 | (3 Credits, PACE 111C) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 2 | (1 Credit, LIBS 150) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 3 | (3 Credits, WRTG 111) | General Education: Communication |
| 4 | (3 Credits, SPCH 100) | Major |
| 5 | (3 Credits, NUTR 100) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 6 | (3 Credits, COMM 207) | Major |
| 7 | (3 Credits, WRTG 112) | General Education: Communication |
| 8 | (3 Credits, MATH 105) | General Education: Math |
| 9 | (3 Credits, COMM 202) | General Education: Communication |
| 10 | (3 Credits, JOUR 201) | Major |
| 11 | (3 Credits, HUMN 100) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 12 | (4 Credits, BIOL 103) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 13 | (3 Credits, BEHS 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 14 | (3 Credits, ARTH 334) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 15 | (3 Credits, IFSM 201) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 16 | (3 Credits, ECON 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 17 | (3 Credits, COMM 300) | Major |
| 18 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 19 | (3 Credits, COMM 302) | Major |
| 20 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 21 | (3 Credits, SPCH 324) | Major |
| 22 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 23 | (3 Credits, JOUR 330) | Major |
| 24 | (3 Credits, WRTG 391) | General Education: Communication |
| 25 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 26 | (3 Credits, COMM 400) | Major |
| 27 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 28 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 29 | (3 Credits, SPCH 470) | Major |
| 30 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 31 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 32 | (3 Credits, 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 | (3 Credits, COMM 495) | Major |
| 41 | 1-credit elective course | Elective |
Total Credits Required: 120
Required Major Courses: 33 Credits
- (3 Credits, SPCH 100) or any SPCH course
- (3 Credits, COMM 207) or any COMM course
- (3 Credits, JOUR 201)
- (3 Credits, COMM 300)
- (3 Credits, COMM 302)
- (3 Credits, SPCH 324)
- (3 Credits, JOUR 330) or any upper-level JOUR course
- (3 Credits, COMM 400) or any upper-level COMM course
- (3 Credits, SPCH 470) or any upper-level SPCH course
- (3 Credits, COMM 390) or any upper-level COMM course
- (3 Credits, COMM 495)
General Education Courses: 41 Credits
Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees.
Minor and Elective Courses: 46 Credits
Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.
This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. 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 have any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.
| Sequence | Course | Requirement(s) Fulfilled |
| 1 | (3 Credits, PACE 111C) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 2 | (1 Credit, LIBS 150) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 3 | (3 Credits, WRTG 111) | General Education: Communication |
| 4 | (3 Credits, SPCH 100) | Major |
| 5 | (3 Credits, NUTR 100) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 6 | (3 Credits, COMM 207) | Major |
| 7 | (3 Credits, WRTG 112) | General Education: Communication |
| 8 | (3 Credits, MATH 105) | General Education: Math |
| 9 | (3 Credits, COMM 202) | General Education: Communication |
| 10 | (3 Credits, JOUR 201) | Major |
| 11 | (3 Credits, HUMN 100) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 12 | (4 Credits, BIOL 103) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 13 | (3 Credits, BEHS 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 14 | (3 Credits, ARTH 334) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 15 | (3 Credits, IFSM 201) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 16 | (3 Credits, ECON 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 17 | (3 Credits, COMM 300) | Major |
| 18 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 19 | (3 Credits, COMM 302) | Major |
| 20 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 21 | (3 Credits, SPCH 324) | Major |
| 22 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 23 | (3 Credits, JOUR 330) | Major |
| 24 | (3 Credits, WRTG 391) | General Education: Communication |
| 25 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 26 | (3 Credits, COMM 400) | Major |
| 27 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 28 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 29 | (3 Credits, SPCH 470) | Major |
| 30 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 31 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 32 | (3 Credits, 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 | (3 Credits, COMM 495) | Major |
| 41 | 1-credit elective course | Elective |
Program Highlights
Develop skills and gain knowledge through coursework that draws from the expertise and experience of our respected faculty.
Sharpen Skills in Research
Design and employ specific research methods and tools to gather information.
Work in Multiple Media Channels
Integrate multimedia components into print, broadcast, and online formats.
Improve Writing Style
Write news articles in a variety of journalistic styles.
Expand Marketable Skills
Write a comprehensive public relations plan and create targeted messages.
Develop Informative Communication
Create professional written and visual communications for diverse audiences.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Learn to incorporate communication theory and professionalism into your work.
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Student Organizations
Communication Student Association
The Communication Student Association hosts several activities that provide students with information to guide them toward working in communication-related professions. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, staff, and faculty members. Students and alumni can join the Communication Student Association group on CareerQuest.