Learn Universal Communication Skills with a Communication Degree Online
With an online degree in communication, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a multitude of career options. From journalism, social media and new media, to professional writing, public relations and advertising, earning your Bachelor of Arts in Communication will allow you to strategize and communicate your ideas effectively.
Our new curriculum is thoughtfully designed to give students the knowledge, competencies and confidence needed to be successful in a communication industry that’s rapidly changing. You’ll learn new practices and methodologies from experts, while having the chance to partake in a collaborative, hands on environment.
From expanding your critical thinking abilities to improving your writing techniques, earning your BA in Communication at SNHU means learning from thought leaders, taking classes tailored to your interests and ensuring you’re always a step ahead in your field.
Why earn a communication degree at SNHU?
- Median annual salary of $57,530 in 2018 for media and communication occupations*
- 6% projected job growth for media and communication occupations through 2026*
- Multiple term starts throughout the year – complete your degree at your own pace
- 24/7 online accessibility – attend class when and where it’s convenient
- One of the lowest tuition rates in the nation
Concentration Options
Business Communication
Build effective communication strategies within an organization by strengthening interpersonal relationships and promoting teamwork. When you earn your business communication degree, you can learn to improve the messaging throughout your team.
Request Info
New Media
Content for new media platforms – like tweets, online articles and social media campaigns – is essential to today's communication strategies. By pursuing a concentration in new media, you'll learn how to use new media to achieve an organization’s strategic communication objectives.
Request Info
Professional Writing
Learn how to use emerging technologies to communicate effectively in today's world with a concentration in professional writing. Gain the skills necessary to navigate the complex landscape that today's writing occupies, including the web and social media.
Request Info
Public Relations
Set yourself up for success in the ever-evolving world of public-facing communication with a concentration in public relations, which provides the skills and knowledge necessary to build positive relationships between organizations and a variety of audiences.
Request Info
See Yourself Succeed in Communication
Courses in our communication degree online program will help you develop and hone your skills in critical thinking, writing, research and analysis. As emerging technology continues to change the way we learn and communication with each other, effective written and verbal skills will be more important than ever before.
Whether you pursue the BA in Communication on its own, or tailor your communication degree with a concentration, we make transferring as easy as possible with up to 33 free electives and a wide variety of courses to choose from.
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your BA in Communication at SNHU include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we’ll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there’s no application fee
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Career Outlook
The communication degree online from SNHU prepares you for a career in industries such as new media, advertising, professional writing, communication, broadcast and public relations. Positions available in these careers include media manager, journalist, copywriter, account executive and social media specialist. The median annual salary for media and communication occupations in 2018 was $57,530.*
Curriculum
Curriculum in our BA in Communication program covers a wide range of topics, offering communication theory and industry-specific knowledge you can use to develop your ability to strategize and deliver effective messages.
Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
SNHU's bachelor's in communication program includes:
- General education
- Degree-specific courses
General Education Program
Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:
- Writing
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem solving
All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
View Full Curriculum in the Catalog
Courses May Include
COM
213
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
In this course, students will develop the public speaking and presentation skills needed for the creation and dissemination of communication messages across various channels, for various purposes, and aimed at various audiences. They will create and refine communication messages based on various criteria, including the relevancy of sources and information, business and organizational goals, formats of various media channels, as well as the needs and requirements of various audiences. Students will also deliver communication messages and projects to various stakeholders, both internal and external to an organization, through the successful implementation of their public speaking and presentation skills.
COM
229
Visual Communication and Design
In this course, students will apply fundamental design principles and communication technologies to the creation and dissemination of messages across multiple formats and channels. Students will also analyze the effectiveness of communication messages and projects in relation to their use of basic design principles and technologies, as well as to their alignment to project goals
COM
311
Social Media Strategy
In this course, students will develop social media strategies as a means of communicating various messages to diverse, targeted audiences, and across multiple social media platforms. They will analyze and integrate information and feedback from social media metrics to make appropriate adjustments and refinements to social media messages. Additionally, students will leverage fundamental social media marketing strategy concepts to create engaging content and communications.
COM
321
Global Communication
In this course, students will critically engage with the issues and problems surrounding globalization and the production, distribution, and consumption of various global communications. They will apply an understanding of and sensitivity to various cultural, social, political, and economical issues to the analysis and creation of global and intercultural communications. Additionally, students will leverage the principles of global citizenship when interacting with various forms of global and intercultural communications.
COM
326
Strategic Storytelling
In this course, students will examine the role of communication messages as a form of strategic storytelling for entertainment and informational purposes. They will analyze how culture influences, and is influenced by, the creation and consumption of communication messages. Students will also apply storytelling concepts in the creation and dissemination of communication messages for various purposes.
COM
431
Organizational Branding
In this course, students will examine how organizations brand themselves, as well as the role of branding in creating and disseminating communications. They will evaluate how audience needs and internal and external stakeholder requirements impact the development and maintenance of an organization's brand. Students will also gain hands-on experience in creating, building, and maintaining a brand.
Program Outcomes
- Design, develop, and deliver professional quality oral, written, and visual communications that are coherent, technically sound, and appropriately adapted to specific audiences and contexts
- Critically analyze and recommend strategies for addressing the impact of various physical, cognitive, cultural, and social factors that shape communication across interpersonal, group, and organizational settings
- Evaluate, select, and effectively apply various tools and technology to the design, development, and dissemination of communication messages
- Evaluate and respond to complex problems associated with the design, development, and delivery of communication messages through critical and creative thinking and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of specialists and stakeholders
- Apply professional, ethical, and socially and culturally sensitive communication practices across interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural settings
Communication Technical Requirements
Students enrolled in the Communication program are responsible for ensuring they have the minimum system hardware and software required in the courses. System requirements often change, so it is important that students maintain awareness of the various minimum hardware requirements for the required software listed below.
Required Software:
The full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite is required in COM-230. It is also required for the following elective courses available for communication students: GRA-220, COM-232, GRA-310.
Creative Cloud licenses are available at an educational discount directly through Adobe.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
|
Online Undergraduate Programs
|
Per Course*
|
Per Credit Hour*
|
|
Degree/Certificates
|
$960 |
$320 |
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)
|
$675 |
$225 |
*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
Additional Costs
No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/home.htm (viewed online May 29, 2019). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.