Communication Studies, BA, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 120 | Estimated Time to Completion: 4-6 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $480.65 | Start Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer | Credit for Prior Learning
Program Details
- Location
- Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Arts / major
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- College
- Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS)
- School/Department
- School of Communication
Program Contact
- McKenna Vietmeier, M.A.
-
Assistant Director & Professor of Instruction
330.972.5657
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Studies for students who want to understand how communication shapes organizations, communities, and society while preparing for careers across a wide range of industries. Whether you're interested in business, nonprofit leadership, public relations, media, government, or law, this versatile degree helps you build skills employers value.
The 100% online curriculum explores interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, and public communication while strengthening your research, critical thinking, writing, and message design skills. Through practical coursework, you'll learn how to analyze audiences, develop persuasive messages, and communicate effectively across professional settings.
The program provides an excellent foundation for graduate study, including law school and master's degree programs. Eligible students may also receive credit for prior learning to help reduce the time and cost required to complete their degree.
What You'll Learn
The Communication Studies curriculum explores how communication shapes relationships, organizations, communities, and society while preparing you to communicate strategically across professional and public sectors.
Skills Gained
Strategic written, verbal, and nonverbal communication
Public speaking and professional presentation skills
Critical thinking and analytical decision-making
Research, data collection, and information evaluation
Interpersonal, intercultural, and organizational communication
Leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution
Core Practice
Communicate effectively in interpersonal, organizational, and public settings
Conduct research and evaluate information to support informed decisions
Create persuasive messages for diverse audiences and purposes
Apply communication theory to professional and real-world situations
Collaborate effectively through leadership, teamwork, and active listening
Key Topics
Communication theory and rhetorical studies
Interpersonal and intercultural communication
Organizational and small group communication
Communication research and information design
Argumentation, advocacy, and persuasive messaging
Leadership, public relations, media, health, political, and professional communication
Career Outcomes
The online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies prepares graduates for careers wherever strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills are valued. Because communication expertise is essential across industries, graduates pursue opportunities in business, government, nonprofit organizations, media, education, and many other professional settings.
Job Titles
Communications specialist
Public relations specialist
Marketing coordinator
Social media manager
Content writer
Human resources specialist
Event coordinator
Journalist
Speechwriter
Community relations coordinator
Where You’ll Work
Sales and marketing organizations
Business and corporate operations
Arts, entertainment, and media organizations
Government agencies
Law firms and legal organizations
Nonprofit organizations
Colleges and universities
Public relations and communications departments
Career Advancement Pathways
Many graduates advance into leadership, communications, marketing, public relations, and management positions as they gain professional experience. The degree also provides strong preparation for graduate study, including The University of Akron's Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, law school, and other advanced professional programs.
Additional Program Information
Communication Studies Curriculum
The 120-credit-hour curriculum combines communication theory, applied practice, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world experience to prepare you for careers across a wide range of industries.
General Education & Liberal Arts Foundation
Build a broad academic foundation through coursework in writing, speaking, mathematics, statistics, logic, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. You'll also explore U.S. and global perspectives, civic literacy, and other interdisciplinary subjects that strengthen critical thinking and prepare you to communicate effectively across diverse settings.
→ View general education requirements
Communication Studies Core
Develop expertise in communication research, theory, and practice through coursework in argumentation, advocacy, interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, and small group communication. You'll also study communication research, data collection, information design, rhetoric, public relations, and media theory while strengthening the analytical and strategic communication skills employers value.
→ View communication core requirements
Electives & Degree Customization
Personalize your degree through communication electives that align with your interests and career goals. Choose from topics such as business and professional communication, leadership, health communication, political communication, freedom of speech, conflict management, and other specialized areas while building expertise in the subjects that matter most to you.
Students also complete an 18-credit-hour minor, second major, or earn an associate degree, allowing you to broaden your education and complement your communication studies coursework with another area of interest.
→ View communication elective options
→ View minor and second major requirements
Internships & Experiential Learning
Apply what you learn through internships, student organizations, and other hands-on learning opportunities that connect classroom concepts to professional practice. Students may earn 3 or 6 internship credit hours while gaining experience in businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, media organizations, and other workplaces where strong communication skills are essential. These experiences help you build your résumé, expand your professional network, and graduate with practical experience.
Credit for Prior Learning
Turn your previous experience into progress toward your degree. Eligible students may receive college credit for professional certifications, military service, workplace training, previous coursework, or other documented learning experiences, helping reduce both the time and cost required to complete their degree.
For more information on credit for prior learning at The University of Akron, email cpl@uakron.edu or contact the School of Communication at 330-972-7600.
UAkron Benefits
Flexibility
Our faculty have designed their courses to accommodate the schedules of working adults, parents and others who cannot attend class on campus or during normal work hours.
As a bachelor’s degree, this program will typically take a full-time student eight semesters, or four years, to complete. You can take optional summer classes to finish the program sooner. Part-time students are able to finish the program in as few as six years, including summer terms.
Scholarships
UAkron and School of Communication Scholarships Available
The School of Communication offers scholarships to admitted students with a 3.70 cumulative GPA who complete our in-house scholarship application. The University also offers thousands of scholarships annually.
Rankings
Recognized Among Top Online Universities
UAkron Online has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s top online universities, reflecting a strong commitment to quality and student success.
Admissions Information
Explore the requirements, application process, and financial options to help you take the next step into the Communication Studies program.
To apply to the online communications program, you’ll need to:
- Submit an undergraduate application
- Provide official academic transcripts
- Meet general university admission standards
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of $472.50
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View bachelor’s degree tuition estimates
→ View additional cost of attendance information
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a range of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans and work-study programs
- Institutional scholarships and merit-based awards
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships and Value
- Students are eligible for:
- Many scholarships require no separate application
- Aid packages may include multiple funding sources
- Programs like the Tuition Guarantee help provide cost predictability over four years (for eligible students)
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
To apply to the online communications program, you’ll need to:
- Submit an undergraduate application
- Provide official academic transcripts
- Meet general university admission standards
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of $472.50
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View bachelor’s degree tuition estimates
→ View additional cost of attendance information
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a range of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans and work-study programs
- Institutional scholarships and merit-based awards
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships and Value
- Students are eligible for:
- Many scholarships require no separate application
- Aid packages may include multiple funding sources
- Programs like the Tuition Guarantee help provide cost predictability over four years (for eligible students)
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
Online School of Communication Faculty
Learn from expert faculty shaping the future of communication through research, industry experience, and applied practice.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies FAQs
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Studies prepares you for various roles in many fields. A Master of Arts (MA) in Strategic Communication allows you to pursue advanced or specialized roles, including higher management positions and leadership opportunities. Earning an MA in Strategic Communication can expand your career options and increase your earning potential over time.
Yes, communication studies degrees are in demand, preparing graduates to work in a variety of different fields and occupations by equipping them with versatile skills like research, public speaking, and writing. Communication studies majors can be found at every level, from entry to leadership and management positions. As a result, employers continue to seek qualified professionals with communications expertise.
The career outlook for communications workers is good, with a median annual salary of $65,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over half are employed in occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree.
Communication studies graduates work across a range of settings, including communications, journalism, mass media, advertising, and public relations.
A communication studies degree prepares you for a variety of roles in many fields, including marketing, broadcasting and journalism, government and politics, international relations, digital media, public relations, and more. Common positions include marketing coordinator, copywriter, brand strategist, social media manager, managing editor, content marketing manager, web producer, event planner, public relations specialist, journalist, and human resources manager. These roles focus on communication in its many forms, strategy, marketing, management, etc.
Earn Your BA in Communication Studies Degree Online
Move forward with a degree that prepares you to work in a variety of fields at every level.