Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Online
Enhance your career and become a thought leader through the study of communication. This quality online program is designed to help you earn your bachelor’s degree while continuing your work and personal responsibilities.
Now lower tuition to make your undergraduate journey even more affordable! $275 per credit hour with Path to Success Scholarship*
Program Overview
Gain insights into our online B.A. in Communication Studies program
Enhance your personal life and career by gaining new communication skills and studying human interaction in its many forms with the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies online program from Northern Kentucky University. This 100% online communication studies degree program will help you become a respected thought leader in any industry where you want to provide clear communication that improves understanding and inspires action.
You will gain proficiency in communication theory; interpersonal, family, small group, and organizational communication; and persuasion and public speaking. The program enables graduates to enrich people’s lives by practicing the art of sharing information.
In the communication studies curriculum, you will learn to:
- Apply effective communication skills
- Manage group projects
- Develop content
- Use critical thinking
- Negotiate and persuade
- Execute business-to-business communication
- Apply effective communication skills
- Manage group projects
- Develop content
- Use critical thinking
- Negotiate and persuade
- Execute business-to-business communication
As a graduate of the bachelor’s in communication studies program, you will be prepared for professional communications roles, such as:
- Corporate Communication Specialist/Manager
- Advertising Specialist/Manager
- Marketer
- Corporate Trainer
- Content Writer/Technical Writer
- Social Media Coordinator/Manager
- Public Relation Specialist/Manager
- Fundraising Manager
- Sales Professional
- Corporate Communication Specialist/Manager
- Advertising Specialist/Manager
- Marketer
- Corporate Trainer
- Content Writer/Technical Writer
- Social Media Coordinator/Manager
- Public Relation Specialist/Manager
- Fundraising Manager
- Sales Professional
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers value in a broad range of online undergraduate programs.
Tuition
Learn more about the affordable tuition at NKU
The B.A. in Communication Studies online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included in the total cost. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. For additional information, visit the Financial Aid section on our FAQ page.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | University Fee Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. in Communication Studies | $475 | $16 |
| With Path to Success and Locked-In Tuition* | $275 | $16 |
*The Path to Success Scholarship with Tuition Lock is available to first-time NKU OnlineA students only; existing students may not participate. The Scholarship cannot be combined with any other offer and is not available for the RN to BSN online program. Students who step out of the program for more than a year (thus requiring a new application) will no longer receive the tuition lock; instead, they must pay the tuition or scholarship rate available at the time of new enrollment. Excludes some program-specific fees that will be divided and assessed by credit hour based on the number of hours taken. Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
“Top Public College”
Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022
Calendar
Know when to apply, when classes start, and when tuition is due
The B.A. in Communication Studies is delivered in a convenient online format with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the full calendar to see all upcoming dates. When you're ready to get started, be sure to submit your application, registration, documents, and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 | 3/11/24 | 2/29/24 | 3/4/24 | 3/8/24 | 3/11/24 |
| Summer 1 | 5/6/24 | 4/24/24 | 4/30/24 | 5/3/24 | 5/6/24 |
| Summer 2 | 6/24/24 | 6/12/24 | 6/18/24 | 6/21/24 | 6/24/24 |
| Fall 1 | 8/19/24 | 8/7/24 | 8/12/24 | 8/16/24 | 8/19/24 |
| Fall 2 | 10/16/24 | 10/3/24 | 10/8/24 | 10/11/24 | 10/16/24 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
Gather these admission materials before applying
The admission process is the first step toward earning your B.A. in Communication Studies degree online. Please reach out to one of our enrollment specialists for any questions you might have.
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts from each college attended
- 2.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Online application fee waived for active/veteran military
B.A. in Communication Studies Online Admission Requirements
Applicants for the B.A. in Communication Studies online program are evaluated on a holistic basis and must meet the following requirements:
Transfer Admission
Transfer applicants are students who have graduated from high school and have previously attempted coursework for credit (other than college credits taken while in high school) at another accredited college or university.
Students with a minimum 2.0 GPA from an accredited institution and 24 or more transferable credit hours must submit the following:
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Official transcripts from each college attended
Students with a minimum 2.0 GPA and fewer than 24 transferable credit hours are evaluated based on the freshman admission standards and must supply the following:
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Official transcripts from each college attended
- Final and official high school transcript or GED scores
- New transfer students who apply to the University with fewer than 24 college credit hours earned and a 2.75 and greater unweighted high school GPA will be offered admissions regardless of ACT/SAT scores. Please note: Nursing and respiratory care programs require ACT/SAT scores.
- New transfer students with a 2.7499 unweighted high school GPA and less will be required to submit ACT or SAT test scores:
- Required ACT scores:
18 (English, math, reading) - Required SAT scores:
Prior to March 2016: 430 (math, writing); 450 (critical reading)
March 2016 to present: 480 (evidence-based reading and writing); 470 (math)
- Required ACT scores:
Freshman Applicants
A freshman applicant is a prospective student who has not attempted coursework at an accredited college or university (other than college credit earned while in high school or during the summer immediately following high school graduation).
Students who are 21 years or older and have never attended college (other than college credits taken while in high school) must supply:
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Official high school transcripts or GED scores
Students who are under 21 years old and have never attended college (other than college credits taken while in high school) must supply:
- An online application form
- A $40 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school transcripts or GED scores
- Freshmen applicants must have at least a 2.0 unweighted high school GPA to be considered for admissions.
- Freshman applicants with a 2.75 and greater unweighted high school GPA will be offered admissions regardless of ACT/SAT scores. Please note: Nursing and respiratory care programs require ACT/SAT scores.
- Freshman applicants with a 2.7499 unweighted high school GPA and less will be required to submit ACT or SAT exam scores:
- Required ACT scores:
18 (English, math, reading) - Required SAT scores:
Prior to March 2016: 430 (math, writing); 450 (critical reading)
March 2016 to present: 480 (evidence-based reading and writing); 470 (math)
- Required ACT scores:
NKUWrite (English and reading) and ALEKS (math) scores are encouraged for placement. Some courses may require placement testing depending on transfer credit or ACT scores. Our Testing Services office can help you schedule these tests.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
Northern Kentucky UniversityOffice of Admissions
Lucas Administrative Center
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Preview the classes in the online B.A. in Communication Studies program
For the online degree in communication studies, students must complete a total of 120 credit hours. The curriculum is comprised of 11 core courses (33 credit hours), one foundation course (3 credit hours), two professional skills courses (6 credit hours), with the remaining 78 hours consisting of general education courses and free electives.
Students must take 33 credit hours comprised of:
• The first seven courses listed
• One of these three courses - CMST 310 or CMST 340 or CMST 410
• Two additional CMST courses at the 200, 300 or 400 level
• One additional CMST, DFX, EMB, HCOM, JOU, POP, PRE, or 400/500 level COM course
Students must take one of the following courses:
Students must take two of the following courses:
You must take 37 credit hours of general education courses, selected from the following categories.
Note: Some general education courses may be part of the major/minor/focus requirements. If so, those courses may potentially be used to count for both general education and the major/minor/focus. Consult with your academic advisor.
- General Education Courses:
- Communication; Written I (3 credits)
- Communication; Written II (3 credits)
- Communication; Oral (3 credits)
- Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
- Mathematics and Statistics (3 credits)
- Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
- Natural Sciences with lab (4 credits)
- Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
- Natural Sciences without lab (3 credits)
- Self and Society
- Cultural Pluralism (3 credits)
- LDR 180
- Individual and Society (3 credits)
- Self and Society
- Individual and Society (3 credits)
- Culture and Creativity (3 credits)
- Culture and Creativity (3 credits)
- Global Viewpoints (3 credits)
- LDR 160
You must take up to 41 credit hours of electives in order to reach the bachelor’s degree minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.
Credit for prior learning acknowledges your experiences and can save you time and money on your degree.
You might be closer to graduation than you think!
