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Online Bachelor's Degree BA in Communication

Learn Critical, Universal Communication Skills with a Communication Degree Online

Online Communications BA Program Overview Video

Learn about the tools and techniques you need to get your message across masterfully, while leveraging emerging technologies, with a communication degree online at Southern New Hampshire University.

Employers often cite good communication skills as one of the most critical qualifications in a prospective employee. Our online BA in Communications, with its emphasis on communication theory and industry-specific concepts, will help you strengthen your ability to communicate effectively.

Gain the communication, computer and graphic design skills to help prepare you for careers in advertising, corporate communications, public relations, social media strategy and more with our BA in Communication degree online.

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Concentrations
Communication (BA) - New Media
Communication (BA) - Professional Writing
Communication (BA) - Public Relations

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 make the business world smaller, effective written and verbal communication skills will be more important than ever before. Our BA in Communication will thoroughly prepare you to jump right into a role in related fields.

All of our degrees are transfer-friendly, but that's especially true of this degree. Whether you pursue the BA in Communication on its own or tailor your communication degree with a concentration, you'll have a choice of 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 such industries as advertising, media, communications, broadcast and public relations. Positions in which you may be interested include media manager, journalist, copywriter, account executive and social media specialist.

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 public speaking abilities and presentation skills.

Required Core Courses
General Education Program

Degree Courses
ENG 220 Business Communication

This course is a practical introduction to the preparation of business correspondence, employment applications and resumes and formal research reports. Written communication skills are emphasized.
COM 126 Introduction to Mass Communication

This communications survey course covers mass media, culture, and society. The course focuses on how and why the US media operate as they do, as well as on how media performance might be improved.
COM 212 Public Speaking

This course is designed to help students develop abilities, including organization and delivery skills, for all speaking situations. The evaluation and improvement of voice, diction, articulation and posture also are studied. May not be used as literature elective.

COM 227 Public Relations

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of public relations in the United States. Students study the major figures in this field as well as organizations, their behavior, and the relationships between organizations and their publics.
COM 230 Graphics and Layout in Print Media

This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of graphic design. Students are introduced through lecture, demonstration and hands-on computer work to the basic elements of graphic visual communication. Adobe Illustrator is used as a primary tool in exploring visual perception through a variety of creative exercises that familiarize the student with basic visual principles such as figure/ground manipulation, shape grouping, letterform shape creation, and grid and system creation. Formal elements of graphic design such as line, shape, color, texture, pattern, balance, symmetry, rhythm, space and unity are thoroughly explored by example and hands-on computer exercises; special topics included are: designing with type, layout strategies, logo design, symbol and pictogram development and stationery systems.
COM 235 Introduction to Journalism

This writing practicum introduces students to writing for print and electronic media under deadline. Gathering information by using records, documents, observation, interviewing, and the Internet. Emphasis on library resources, electronic databases, and current events. Basic style and editing based on AP Stylebook and Libel Manual and AP Broadcast News Handbook.
COM 310 Social Media

Twitter, Facebook, blogs, podcasts - the possibilities of social media today are countless and ever-changing. This course is a broad approach to the history, theory, technology, impact and strategic uses of social media. These tools are relatively inexpensive and accessible technologies that enable anyone to create, publish, edit and access messages intended for the smallest to the largest of audiences. Students will examine the strategic uses of social media for community building, civic and political participation, advertising, marketing, public relations, and journalism. This course provides hands-on experience with the most current technology.
COM 430 Organizational Communications

This course gives students the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, and philosophies in organizational communication through lectures, research, readings, discussions, application, and written assignments. Emphasis is placed on verbal and nonverbal communication, cultural communication, interpersonal relationships within organizations, and dealing with the future and change.

Select four from the following:

COM 232 Desktop Publishing

This course is an introduction to the software application Adobe InDesign designed for the novice user. The Macintosh platform is used in the classroom studio lab, and the student is introduced to the creative and practical aspects of the desktop publishing program that is considered indispensable in the contemporary communications and design industries. This course is based on a series of introductory exercises and a regimen of hands-on practice that teaches software and design skills; students learn how to combine the use of InDesign with other professional graphics and work-processing software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word.
COM 315 Communication in the Digital Age

Contemporary relationships exist across space and time in ways that are continually transforming through computer-mediated and digital communication. Social networking, chat, email, online gaming, and online dating present new challenges for how and why we engage and enter relationships with others. This course examines the foundations of interpersonal communication in light of digital (new) media, evaluating the effect that mediated communication has on relational strategies. Students will evaluate communication behaviors across multiple digital mediums and examine concepts related to relational development, maintenance, and deterioration, interpersonal conflict, nonverbal communication, and identity and culture.
COM 320 Exploring World Cultures/Mass Media

This course seeks to expand global cultural understanding and communication by examining pop culture and media systems in various countries. Students will have the opportunity to expand their cultural perspective by exploring music, film, television,radio, print media,technology,and urban and youth culture. Topics will include media imports and exports, media audiences, media financing and regulation, media research and reporting, media effects, media ethics, meaning and communication through media, and intercultural communication. In lieu of a text students will use extensive Internet research, personal interviews, podcasts, discussion boards, various supplemental material, and independent cultural exploration. Classes will consist of brief lectures, discussion, viewing of media, and in-class research and projects.
COM 325 Editing for Media and Publication

The role of the editor in today's media and publication industries has been transformed by the convergence of technological advances and delivery manner. Whether it is in news operations, public relations, advertising, or book publication, the traditional copy editor has merged with the content editor. This course provides both the foundational skills in basic language editing and the practical competencies associated with editing content for new media (including visual literacy, headlines, typography, and search optimization).

COM 329 New Media Technologies

This course examines the role of new media in contemporary society and the evolution of media technologies in economics, politics, marketing, business, relationships, and journalism. Students will utilize and practice with various new media tools and platforms for both personal and professional contexts. The course focuses on both the practical skills and the theoretical foundations of new media, asking students to demonstrate proficiency in these platforms while understanding the implications for communication practice.
COM 336 Electronic Public Relations

This course provides a focused overview of electronic public relations applications and presents guidelines for using electronic technologies for public relations purposes. Students will learn to reach various publics through public service announcements, video news releases and satellite media tours. Students will also learn how to reach media, government, consumers, employees and management effectively by applying electronic media technologies.
COM 340 Writing for Public Relations

Survey course requiring copywriting in public communication formats, including news releases, features, editorials, brochures, executive summaries, company profiles, newsletters and annual report copy.
COM 341 Technical Writing

This course trains students to produce documents of a technical nature commonly found in a business context. Students are required to prepare a variety of technical reports, including audits, technical manuals and feasibility studies.
COM 445 Writing for New Media

This course is an advanced writing experience that focuses on the content-development skills critical for new and emerging digital media technologies. Students engage with the essential concepts and issues surrounding media convergence and the various strategies for delivering and adapting essential information through diverse multimedia platforms.
COM 448 Media Ethics and Law

This course provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to work in the communications profession. They also will develop a clear understanding of the statutory and constitutional guidelines governing the profession. Students learn the theoretical underpinnings of the First Amendment, followed by its application in cases involving libel, privacy, intellectual property, corporate speech, advertising, obscenity, access to information, protection of news sources, broadcasting policy and electronic media regulations.
COM 452 Public Relations Campaign Planning Seminar (Capstone)

This capstone course offers practice in managing communication campaigns from the public relations perspective and emphasizes the production and presentation of campaign plans. Students will develop and pitch a campaign for a real client.
COM 476 Corporate Communications Seminar (Capstone)

This course will explore the growing field of corporate communication with special emphasis on, industry analysis, media relations, message strategies and crisis communication planning. Upon completion of the course, students will understand the theory, practice and functions of corporate communicators. This course will serve as a capstone experience for all communication majors.
COM 490 Communication Internship

The communication internship provides an opportunity for students to apply their skills and communication expertise in a supervised, career-related experience. Students will be measured on their professionalism and effectiveness by an internship supervisor and will reflect on their personal and professional goals as they relate to the internship experience.

Select two of the following:

GRA 310 Digital Graphic Design for the Web

This course focuses on digital graphic design theory and its application to web design. Students learn about the technical requirements of professionally created digital web documents. Students will be focused on designing communication and marketing applications for the World Wide Web all the while considering user experience and functionality. Differences in designing for the desktop computer and mobile internet appliances will be a topic for discussion and incorporated in hands-on exercises and projects. Each student will develop several minisites and by the end of the semester will have produced at least one deployable site. Topics include design strategies, web authoring/editing environments, color calibration and aesthetics, web typography, style sheets, template use, graphics format selecting and optimization, and HTML coding and debugging.
HIS 114 United States History II: 1865-Present

The second half of the United States history survey course covers the period following the Civil War. The economic, political and ideological developments that allowed the United States to attain a position of the world leadership are closely examined. Required for majors in History and Social Studies Education with a concentration in History.
POL 210 American Politics

This course offers a broad introduction to the structure and function of the American political system at the national level, including the roles played by the president, Congress, the courts, the bureaucracy, political parties, interest groups and the mass media in the policy- making and electoral processes. This course places special emphasis on how the efforts of the framers of the Constitution to solve what they saw as the political problems of their day continue to shape American national politics in ours.
PSY 257 Social Psychology

Social psychology is an interesting, dynamic study of how people's thoughts, feelings and actions are affected by others. Issues discussed include prejudice, conformity, interpersonal attraction and violence. The scientific methods of studying such phenomena are emphasized.
SCI 219 Environmental Issues

This course covers a variety of environmental topics in a manner specifically designed for the non-science major. It provides a fundamental understanding of the various processes necessary to support life on Earth and examines how human activities and attitudes (individual, traditional, cultural and others) generate environmental issues that threaten these processes. Topics include ecology, populations, agriculture, desertification and deforestation, water and ocean pollution, air pollution including ozone depletion and acid rain, global climate change, natural resource depletion, solid and hazardous wastes, energy including fossil fuels and nuclear power, economics and sustainability.

SOC 328 Sociology of Aging

Students in this course examine the basic social processes and problems of aging. Social and psychological issues and issues involved with death and dying are discussed.

Free Elective Credits: 33

Total Credits: 120

Program Outcomes

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 percent 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 Association of Schools and Colleges as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...