Unlock Your Career Potential
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See Courses & Program Info
View a complete list of program courses, major requirements, and more.
This program requires 120 total credits.
- 33 Required Major Credits: Review the required major courses outlined below or view the recommended course sequence to progress through this program.
- 41 General Education Credits: Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees.
- 46 Minor & Elective Credits: Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.
Required Major Courses
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Majoring in another subject? You can pair a 15-credit minor in communication studies with another major at UMGC.
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:
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.
FAQs
Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program admission, credibility, student organizations, and more.
An online bachelor’s degree in communication can help students build a firm knowledge base and prepare for a career in communications in a wide variety of sectors. This 120-credit program was designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars and combines theories with real-world applications and practical skills. Whether you’re interested in journalism, public relations, business, or digital communication, this program may be the right fit for you.
In this 120-credit degree program, courses are offered year-round. The time it will take you to complete your degree will depend on several factors, including your goals, how many transfer credits you have, your course load each semester, and whether you are able to benefit from one or more of our fast paths to credit, including credit for prior learning and credit for military education and training.
Tuition rates for this program are very competitive and appear at the top of this page. We offer a low in-state rate for Maryland residents and a reduced tuition rate for military service members and their spouses and dependent children. We also offer scholarships for those who qualify, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make online bachelor's degrees even more affordable.
You do not need any background or experience in communications to apply for and graduate with an online bachelor’s degree in communication. As long as you meet our undergraduate admission requirements, you can enroll in this program.
You do not need any prior certifications to enroll in or complete this program.
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.