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Online Bachelor’s Degree: Communication Studies

Communication Studies
Bachelor of Arts
DEGREE AT A GLANCE
  • 120 credits
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • All courses available online
  • Select hybrid courses available
TUITION RATES
  • $324 per credit (in-state)
  • $499 per credit (out-of-state)
  • $250 per credit (military)
  • Other fees may apply
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Learn valuable new skills that may be able to translate to almost any industry by earning a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies at University of Maryland Global Campus. In this unique degree program, you’ll develop crucial writing and communication skills in several career-relevant areas of study. Plus, with our convenient online courses, you can access the full online learning experience from any time and any place. Save time and money with a variety of scholarship opportunities and our generous transfer credit policy. Why wait? Take the first step and apply today!

Build Relevant Skills in Communication, Ethics, Journalism, & Public Relations 

A good fit for working professionals looking to advance in their careers, our online communication studies program may help equip you with valuable new skillsets that you can apply to almost any industry. Learn the basics of ethical communication principles as you analyze a variety of messaging styles in journalism, public relations, digital communication, new media, and more. Our curriculum is designed with input from industry experts and will teach you how to communicate within ethical, legal, and financial parameters. 

Here are a few of the benefits of our communication studies program: 

  • This program allows you to study many communication subjects and styles, including public relations, management, and news writing. 
  • We offer competitive tuition rates for Maryland residents, as well as discounts for military servicemembers and their dependents. 
  • Our lifetime career services can connect UMGC alumni to job support and services after they graduate—and for the rest of their lives. 

See Courses & Program Info

View a complete list of program courses, major requirements, and more.

Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2023–2024 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each bachelor’s degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all bachelor’s degrees.

Gain Career-Focused Experience

In today’s interconnected world, strong communication skills are more important than ever. That’s why employers are constantly searching for working adults who know how to communicate in a variety of professional contexts. Our program directors refresh and update the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve the following:

Unlock Your Career Potential

This program is designed to help prepare you for careers in a number of professional contexts, including in mass media, journalism, public relations, business, and corporate communication. The skills that you’ll learn in this program may be transferrable to multiple industries and. potential job titles that include public affairs specialist, copy editor, SEO analyst, technical writer, and creative director.

 

114K
Annual Openings
About 114,300 openings for media and communication professionals are projected each year over the next decade.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | “Occupational Outlook Handbook” | 2024
50%
Reputation Increase
50 percent of business leaders reported that quality employee communication skills greatly improved their brand’s reputation.
Source: Grammarly and the Harris Poll | “2023 State of Business Communication Report” | 2023
$12K+
Costs of Bad Communication
Miscommunication costs U.S. organizations more than $12,000 per employee per year.
Source: Grammarly and The Harris Poll | “2023 State of Business Communication Report” | 2023
$19B+
PR Agency Revenue
U.S. public relations agencies generated more than $19 billion in revenue from 2013 to 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau | “Service Annual Survey Latest Data (NAICS-basis): 2022” | January 30, 2024

Develop In-Demand Skills in Your Communication Studies Courses 

Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign hands-on coursework that may help you prioritize real-world skills and experience. Coursework may help students gain experience with new media tools, problem-solving skills, public communication, interpersonal communication, and more skills expected with a communication degree. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects: 

  • Attend a public meeting (either in-person or via video) and write a news story for print, broadcast, and multimedia platforms using the AP inverted pyramid format. 
  • Create and deliver a six-to-eight-minute persuasive speech explaining why listeners should or should not adopt your policy or perspective or buy your product. 
  • Craft an audio, video, or multimedia presentation that applies a specific mass communication theory to the analysis of the internet's impact in a specific social, cultural, economic, technological, or political context. 
  • Research and write a persuasive business proposal of 3,500-5,000 words directed to a decision-maker who has the authority to approve and implement your recommendation to resolve a real problem at your workplace, school, church, volunteer organization, or other entity in your local community. 
  • Conduct research on a topic you identify and produce a professional-level media kit that includes components such as a cover letter, fact sheet, news release, feature story, and video. 
  • Craft and deliver a 30-second video elevator pitch, introducing your unique knowledge, skills, abilities, and dispositions to a prospective employer. 

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Current Program
Communication Studies
Bachelor of Arts

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