Online Communication Degree Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Build effective communication strategies within an organization by strengthening interpersonal relationships and promoting teamwork when you earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Business Communication.

When you get your business communication degree online, you set yourself up for success within workplaces across a variety of industries. This focused BA in Communication gives you the opportunity to develop additional written and oral communication skills that are useful in any professional workplace.

Add a business concentration to your degree, and position yourself to understand and shape communication strategies for real-world workplace dynamics.

Career outlook:

Those in media and communication occupations can continue to see growth in the industry – about 6% through 2031, which is as fast as average for all occupations.¹ Some of the roles you may be positioned for can include public relations specialists, technical writers and editors, among many others within the business world.

Courses may include:

• Business Communication
• Crisis Communication
• Leadership and Team Building

New, or digital, media gets newer every day. Writing and producing content for new media platforms – like tweets, online articles and social media campaigns – is essential for today's winning communication strategies. It's the new frontier – and it's here to stay. By pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in New Media, you'll learn how to insert new media into the context of a larger campaign.

The unique courses offered in Southern New Hampshire University's new media concentration delve into a variety of subject areas, including new media technology, social media research and marketing, interpersonal development in mediated environments and content production for new media platforms. This kind of in-depth study is usually found only at the master's level.

The online bachelor's degree in communication and new media will expose you to many areas of the field, including business communication, graphic design and public relations, making you an expert generator of online "buzz" – a value to any organization.

Pursue the online bachelor's in communication and new media, and you'll gain a variety of communication, computer and graphic design skills to help prepare you for careers in management, advertising, media, communications, public relations and more.

If you're interested in this new media concentration, you may also want to check out our online marketing degree, which offers a social media degree concentration and a digital marketing degree concentration.

Career outlook:

As audiences continue to consume media, the need for more attention-grabbing content increases. Media and communication occupations should expect to see 6% growth through 2031.¹

Courses may include:

• New Media Technologies
• Social Media Marketing Strategy
• Writing for New Media

If you're interested in learning how to use emerging technologies to communicate effectively in today's world, consider the Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Professional Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

Earning a professional writing degree online not only makes practical sense, it makes sense career-wise. The program emphasizes the skills necessary to leverage the wide array of platforms available to today's communicators, including the web and social media. You'll learn tools and sharpen techniques to understand copywriting, editing, technical writing and writing for your target audiences. Hand in hand with these skills, you'll gain the analysis and problem-solving abilities necessary to keep up with cultural and technological changes.

When you enroll in the professional writing degree online program, you'll be exposed to critical skills in thinking, writing, research, strategic planning and execution. With focused writing courses, this online BA in Communication with a professional writing concentration places an emphasis on rhetoric and career orientation designed to prepare students as specialists in corporate, government, agency and nonprofit communications.

Our professional writing degree online not only explores traditional communication channels but also trains you to use emerging technologies to communicate effectively.

Career outlook:

By earning your professional writing degree online, you position yourself for a variety of writing careers. Your degree opens doors to such roles as author or technical writer. These occupations are expected to grow in the coming years. Between 2021 and 2031, writing occupations can expect to see 4% growth, while technical writers can expect to see 6% growth in the same time period.¹

Courses may include:

• Technical Writing Communication
• Writing for New Media
• Writing for Public Relations

Set yourself up for success in the ever-evolving world of public-facing communication with an online public relations degree concentration, which provides the skills and knowledge necessary to build positive relationships between organizations and a variety of audiences.

Any organization relies on its public relations specialist to craft a favorable public image. By using a wide variety of media platforms and types of communications, public relations specialists serve as the direct line of communication between an organization and the public.

Career outlook:

Within the industry, positions in public relations are expected to grow by 8% through 2031, creating 27,400 new jobs.¹

Courses may include:

• Organizational Branding
• Public Relations
• Writing for Public Relations

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

As part of our mission to make higher education more accessible, we’re committed to keeping our tuition rates low. In fact, we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

Prior coursework could also help you save time and money. SNHU’s transfer policy allows you to transfer up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree and 45 credits for an associate degree from your previous institutions—that means you could save up to 75% off the cost of tuition. You could also save time and money by getting college credit for previous work experience, or by taking advantage of military discounts and employer tuition assistance if available to you.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 160,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality. 

Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• U.S. News & World Report named SNHU the 2021 Most Innovative University in the North and one of the nation's "Best Regional Universities"
• Awarded the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology by The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 300,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

93.6% of online students would recommend SNHU (according to a 2022 survey with 17,000+ respondents). Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

• Completed free undergraduate application
• Prior transcripts, which we can retrieve at no cost to you
• Test scores are not required as part of your application

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

If you’re ready to apply, follow these simple steps to get the process going:

• Complete a free undergraduate application
• Submit any additional documents required
• Work with an admission counselor to explore financial options and walk through the application process

If you have questions or need help filling out your application, call 1.888.387.0861 or email enroll@snhu.edu.

Required Software

Adobe Creative Cloud is required for all students in the BA Communication program. Creative Cloud licenses are available at an educational discount directly through Adobe.

Adobe's terms and conditions require a full-year contract for Creative Cloud.

System Requirements

Please refer to the requirements for Adobe Photoshop, which demands the most technical requirements of the Adobe Creative Cloud and is used throughout the graphic design program. Given that current system requirements can change without notice from Adobe, it is best to consult the most up-to-date requirements on the Adobe website.

Video Communication Platform:

• Mac or PC desktop or laptop (not a mobile device or tablet)
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Required: At least 1 Mbps upload/download speed
• Learn more about our detailed technical requirements

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

Yes. Studying communication online is an ideal way to learn more about the subject – especially considering the digital tools and platforms that are crucial to the field today.

In an online BA in Communication program, you'll go through the same type of curriculum and learn the same skills that you'd experience in a brick-and-mortar program, such as how to:

• Communicate effectively
• Shape messaging through strategy
• Problem-solve through creative and critical thinking
• Master communication tools

Southern New Hampshire University communication graduates have found success in many organizations and industries after they've graduated. Your online degree also positions you well for graduate school, should you choose to pursue a master's in communication or another master's-level program.

Yes, a communication degree is worth it. Because it covers a broad range of topics, job opportunities are plenty. Employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations, and will result in about 68,600 new jobs. Demand for media and communication occupations is expected to arise from the need to create, edit, translate and disseminate information through a variety of different platforms.¹

Additionally, the median annual wage for media and communication occupations (such as announcers, interpreters and translators, and technical writers) was $62,340 in 2021, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.¹

“Communication touches every field,” said Dr. Karen Wilkinson, associate dean of liberal arts at SNHU. “The ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with others is a coveted skill set in every workplace environment.”

For Faith Ellis '21, earning her BA in Communication degree gave her so much more than just career opportunities. "My degree [has] brought me confidence, a wealth of knowledge and helped me mature and critically think through issues," said Ellis.

Courses in our online degree program are designed to build your communication skills: oral, written and visual. In addition, the program can develop your savvy in:

• Branding
• Global communication
• Law and ethics
• Presentation skills
• Strategic storytelling

You'll have a variety of electives to choose from to round out your degree. Some of these include courses like:

• Crisis Communication
• Digital Graphic Design for the Web
• Digital Photography
• Electronic Public Relations
• Introduction to Screenwriting Workshop
• Leadership and Team Building
• Social Media Marketing Strategy
• Web Site Design

If you know there's an area of communication you'd like to focus on, opt out of choosing your own electives and add a concentration to your online communication degree. A specialized degree lets you learn even more in a specific area of the field.

For example, we offer concentrations in business communication, new media, professional writing and public relations. Choose the track that matches your career goals, and you'll take 4 courses that can help you tailor your degree to them. Each class gives you hands-on experience that can give an extra boost to your resume.

Earning a degree in liberal arts – like communication – is a great choice for students because there are so many opportunities to pursue with a degree in the subject.

Having good communication skills is vital to the success of every job – and it's a characteristic that many people don't possess. By diving into how to communicate with your audience – whether it's one-on-one with a colleague or a message created for a national audience – you can set yourself up to excel in your position, no matter the industry you're in.

When you think of a communication degree, there are a handful of professions that immediately come to mind, like journalism or public relations. But there are a number of others that you should think about – fields you could enter immediately after graduation, and others that may require additional training or education:

• Advertising, brand & digital strategy
• Content writing, copywriting & editing
• Education
• Fundraising & event planning
• Law & lobbying
• Marketing and product marketing
• Politics
• Public relations & journalism
• Sales
• Social media
• Web content

If you decide to pursue your communications degree online, keep in mind that you won't have to limit your career options – you'll have plenty of opportunities that you're prepared for.

Communication is important because it's a part of everything we do – every human interaction depends on effective communication.

The National Communication Association says that communication is "the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific and aesthetic inquiry."²

Everything we say, write or see is a form of communication. They are all messages meant for an audience to receive and decode. And that's why it's crucial that communicators choose each word and element wisely.

As a student in an online communication degree program, you'll gain a new perspective on what it takes to communicate effectively with others. You'll also gain media literacy skills, allowing you to better interpret messages communicated to you.

Because you'll develop advanced communication skills – a trait employers actively seek out – you could be sought after in a wide variety of industries you're interested in.

Career opportunities for those with an online communications degree are broad: They can position you for jobs in a wide range of industries, which means they can also offer you a variety of salaries.

Overall, media and communication occupations paid a median annual wage of $62,340 in May 2021.¹

Here's a look at what some specific occupations within communications paid for a median salary in May 2021¹:

• Editors: $63,350
• Public relations specialists: $62,800
• Reporters, correspondents and broadcast news analysts: $48,370
• Technical writers: $78,060
• Writers and authors: $69,510

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects new communications jobs to be created from the need for more information through a variety of platforms.¹

New media is a broad term used to describe essentially all digitally based media we see and experience. While new media in the early 1900s may have consisted of radio and film, today new media includes web-based/cloud email and computing, the wide expanse of the Internet, social media channels (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and smartphone applications.

David Gerrold, a popular science fiction author, once said, "What's interesting about the shift from an industrial age to a technological age is that we keep inventing new media: movies, records, radio, television, the Internet and now ebooks – and one of the things that's most interesting about the invention of a new medium is watching it reinvent itself as it penetrates the culture."

The one thing "new media" in our culture represents is ever-changing technology.

By earning a communication degree with a concentration in new media, you'll gain an advantage within careers in this ever-broadening field.

As co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates once explained, technology and business go hand in hand: "Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don't think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without talking about the other."

The job market seems to be opening up for precisely this type of employment.

The internet has changed the ways in which we engage with others, but the basic need to communicate with others is historically part of what drives us as human beings, and that won't change. Digital/internet-based communication is what helps us to reach business and personal communication goals, as they offer unique ways to create, innovate and communicate.

Digitally based interactions are fast, far-reaching and a low-cost endeavor compared to traditional media marketing (newspapers, television, radio, etc.) for businesses looking to grow.

Your path can take you just about anywhere you would like to go. While some positions are usually found in companies that boast 100 or more employees, every size business uses new media to keep ahead of the pack. As diverse as the population is, with as many employment options as there are, combined with the sheer expanse of the internet, you can find a way to use what you've learned. In fact, not many industries forgo digital involvement these days no matter the size of the payroll. Whether you are taking over the family shop that is boutique-sized or you are at the helm of a Fortune 500 company's marketing plan, SNHU provides the skills necessary to enter or advance in the world of new media.

Traditionally, a 120-credit bachelor's degree in communication takes a student about 4 years to complete.

However, at SNHU, that isn't always the case.

SNHU also accepts up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's in communication, meaning you could have as few as 10 courses – and as few as 5 terms – to get your degree.

With six 8-week terms per year and the ability to take one course (half-time), or two courses (full-time), reaching the end may be sooner than you think.

The courses in the online bachelor’s in communication program can vary depending on which concentration you choose, or any transfer credit you may bring in.

The core courses that the major consists of are:

• COM127 - Introduction to Communication
• COM213 - Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
• COM225 - Communication with Diverse Audiences
• COM229 - Visual Communication and Design
• COM311 - Social Media Strategy
• COM321 - Global Communication
• COM326 - Strategic Storytelling
• COM405 - Personal Brand Communications
• COM413 - Management of Communication Projects
• COM431 - Organizational Branding
• COM449 - Communication Law and Media Ethics

The full curriculum can be found in the academic catalog.

You can determine which courses will be required for you specifically through an official evaluation of previous transcripts. Apply today to get started.

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet at:

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/ (viewed October 20, 2022)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm (viewed October 20, 2022)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-andcommunication/technical-writers.htm (viewed October 20, 2022)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm (viewed October 20, 2022)

Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

²National Communication Association, What is communication, on the internet, at https://www.natcom.org/about-nca/what-communication (viewed April 28, 2021).