Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Online
BA
DURATION
120 hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 462 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* rolling admissions
** per credit hour
Key Summary
Communication is the backbone of industry and employers increasingly list communication skills as the heart of advancement, promotion, and leadership opportunities. EKU’s 100% online communication studies degree provides students with the hands-on, practical learning needed to become creative, effective communicators and successfully navigate our complex global society. Graduates are prepared to take on key positions in business, sales, human service agencies, and nonprofit agencies, or to pursue law school or other graduate studies.
| Format: 100% online Credit Hours: 120 hours Tuition:
Transfer Credits Accepted: Up to 90 hours* Career Options: Corporate trainer, sales professional, communications specialist, marketing specialist, human resource generalist, program coordinator, relationship manager, consultant, community engagement coordinator, community relations coordinator *A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed with EKU |
|---|
Enhance your degree with a minor or certificate
Select from a wide range of minors, allowing you to explore interests or make use of prior credits.
You can also choose from numerous undergraduate certificates in specialty areas that complement and enhance your major as you work toward your degree.
What sets our program apart?
Today’s communicators require a breadth of understanding of our world. EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation communication course topics such as conflict management, public speaking, and intercultural and organizational communication.
- Accelerated 8-week terms
- Courses begin 6 times per year
- Reduced tuition for active-duty military members
- Personalized graduation plan
- No campus visits required
- Free online tutoring and career services assistance
- Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees
Why choose EKU?
EKU is a regionally accredited, brick-and-mortar university that is ranked among the nation's best colleges and has been educating students for more than a century. EKU has received numerous honors, including being named one of the best online colleges in the nation and one of the most veteran-friendly campuses.
Find Your Scholarship
A scholarship is a financial award given to students to help pay for their education that does not need to be paid back. Scholarships are awarded by schools, universities, and other organizations, and are based on a variety of criteria, such as academic achievement, financial need, or professional experience. The money can be used to cover tuition, books, housing, food, and other educational expenses. Please note that institutional scholarships, including merit awards, may not be stacked with other scholarships or tuition waivers and require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Merit Scholarships for In-State First-Time Freshmen
Merit scholarships make EKU even more affordable for first-time students.* EKU recognizes the hard work and dedication needed to achieve at a high level. Get rewarded for your high school accomplishments with merit scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!
Merit Scholarships for Out-of-State First-Time Freshmen
High-achieving students can get rewarded for their work and receive additional scholarships to make EKU even more affordable. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships may be applied to your account automatically without the need for an application!
Additional EKU Scholarships for First-Time Freshmen
Kentucky residents who are Pell Grant-eligible may receive this scholarship, which will cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees for first-year students who have a 3.0 high school GPA. This scholarship is intended to act as “gap funding” for any first-time freshman who has exhausted all avenues of federal, state, and institutional scholarship and grant assistance, and still has a remaining balance for tuition and required fees. This scholarship is for on-campus students only. This cannot be awarded in addition to a Merit Tier scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements: On-campus, Pell Grant-eligible, Kentucky resident, first-time freshman with a 3.0 high school GPA
EKU Scholarships for On-Campus, In-State Transfer Students*
Eastern Kentucky University values the education and experience students from other schools bring to their EKU experience. On-campus students who transfer to EKU with 24 earned college credits are eligible for the following scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, transfer scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!
Foundation Scholarships
EKU has made a difference in thousands of lives. Donors who have experienced the life-changing effect an EKU education can have now want to make a difference in your life. Thanks to their generosity, there are hundreds of scholarships available for EKU students.
Eligibility criteria range from GPA to county of residence to degree program and more. Simply fill out the foundation scholarship application, and you’ll learn which scholarships you may be eligible for.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from several groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. Third-party scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.
If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify Big E Central so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Core Courses --- 36 hours
- CMS 200 --- Interpersonal Communication --- 3
- CMS 205W --- Advocacy and Opposition --- 3
- CMS 215 --- Career Presentations --- 3
- CMS 275 --- Communication Skills for Professionals --- 3
- CMS 305 --- Research Design in Communication Studies --- 3
- CMS 310 --- Team Building and Small Group Communication --- 3
- CMS 325 --- Communication in Conflict Management --- 3
- CMS 349 --- Applied Learning in Communication Studies --- 3
- CMS 350 --- Organizational Communication --- 3
- CMS 375 --- Intercultural Communication --- 3
- CMS 410 --- Human Communication Theory --- 3
- CMS 495 --- Communication, Leadership and Change --- 3
Communication Electives --- 3 hours
Together with your advisor, select one course from upper-division CMS courses (300 or 400 level).
Free Electives --- 44 hours
EKU General Education Requirements --- 37 hours
Total Hours Required for Degree Completion --- 120 hours
Professional communication is the vehicle to success; employers recognize the importance of communication skills and repeatedly report this as one of the top requirements for new hires and advancement. Students gain the skills and knowledge necessary for both obtaining an entry-level communication position in various fields that relate to communication as well as advancement in their current field.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects the employment growth of media and communication occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations, which will result in about 27,600 new jobs.
Job Opportunities
Human Resource Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $60,880 per year / $29 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 625,700
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
Arbitrators / Mediators
- Median Annual Salary: $62,270 per year / $30 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 7,700
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Training Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $60,870 per year / $29 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 306,400
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
Public Relations Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $60,000 per year / $29 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 270,000
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
- Low-cost textbooks through EKU BookSmart
- No application fee
- Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
- Fast-track opportunities for students with 80 or more credit hours
- Dynamic, supportive learning environment
- Fitness & wellness management program provides students with knowledge & skills needed to successfully certify through ACSM, ACE, NSCA, AFAA, & other professional groups
- Dedicated faculty advisors who work with pre-professional health students on the ins and outs of applying to professional programs of choice
- Pre-professional curricula emphasize inclusion of prerequisite courses, foundational content & additional courses to prepare students for graduate/professional programs
- Diverse faculty are actively involved in the profession & have real-life expertise