Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
DURATION
120 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
May 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 443 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* per credit hour
Introduction
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.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Grants
Grants are a type of financial support that does not need to be repaid. Many grants are based on financial need alone, however, some grants also take academic performance, academic degree program, and/or residence status into consideration.
Grants are available at the federal and state level.
Private Loans
Private student loans are not funded or subsidized by the federal government; instead, they are funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders.
The bank or lender – not the federal government – sets interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private student loans. Your ability to qualify for and borrow a private student loan may be based on numerous factors that can include your credit history, whether or not you choose to have a co-signer, your co-signer’s credit history, your choice of school, and your course of study. These loans do not offer the flexible repayment terms or borrower protections featured by federal student loans.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Employer tuition reimbursement includes a variety of employer-sponsored programs to help employees pay for college. In many cases, the funds received from these programs will be excluded from income and are tax-free.
Employee tuition reimbursement programs are typically governed by an employer’s human resources department. Employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses.
Your employer may require you to attain a particular grade or to complete a program in order to obtain reimbursement. The employer may also require that you remain employed for a period of time after completing the course of study. Finally, your employer may require you to provide receipts or other substantiation of the educational expenses.
Military Benefits
For information on veteran and active duty military services and offerings, contact the EKU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs at 859.622.2345. EKU is repeatedly recognized by both Military Times and GI Jobs as a leader among Military Friendly® Schools and we look forward to helping you reach your goals.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from a number of groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. These 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 your financial aid office 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.
Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific EKU departments. The types, size, and criteria for these scholarships will vary by department.
If you receive a departmental scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office 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.
Foundation Scholarships
EKU is fortunate to have hundreds of generous individuals and organizations that have donated scholarship money for current EKU students from a variety of backgrounds, situations, and interests. These are referred to as EKU Foundation Scholarships. Due to the number of these scholarships and the varying criteria for them, EKU has developed a single Foundation Scholarship application.
After completing the application, you will be considered for any foundation scholarship for which you are eligible. Criteria for these scholarships vary and can include academics, major, interests, place of residence, and more.
Curriculum
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
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
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
English Language Requirements
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