as your dreams.
Online Bachelor of Arts/Science in Communication
The online bachelor’s in communication is designed for working professionals who want to earn a bachelor’s degree that prepares them for diverse and vast career opportunities or helps them advance their current career.
Offered by the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Louisville, the online bachelor’s in communication (B.A./B.S. COMM) promotes the development of rhetorical, organizational and interpersonal competencies through coursework that emphasizes theories, practices, contexts and perspectives within the discipline. Develop communication skills invaluable to tackling problems in the modern workplace, as well as an understanding of how communication patterns create and sustain human relations.
Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework.
Learn MoreThis program is comprised of 121 credit hours in core and elective courses.
Learn MoreChoose a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science and accomplish your goals!
Learn More
"I felt like I needed [a communication degree] to be who I was. I learned more about myself. I learned that I was persistent, that I like to write. I really became the person I am today."
MAGGIE CUNNINGHAM ‘14
BACHELOR’S IN COMMUNICATION
How Much Will I Pay?
$539 per credit hour
$250 active duty military rate per credit hour
Highlights
- Learn imporant theories, methods of inquiry, philosophies and practices of the communication discipline.
- Develop skills for analyzing, interpreting and critiquing communication problems and methods—skills demanded by employers around the country.
- Learn from faculty with distinguished academic credentials, industry experience and a strong commitment to applied research.
- Take advantage of the 100% online classes and 24/7 access to learning resources.
- Earn your degree in as little as two years with transfer credits.
- Plan your degree with the assistance of a professional student advisor.
- Tap into the internship opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills, and prepare to apply them to real life and work situations.
The online undergraduate program in communication is available as either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Science (B.S.).
- The B.A. requires 18 hours in core communication disciplines and 18 hours in communication electives, focusing on delivering a wider breath of knowledge in areas like foreign language and liberal arts.
- The B.S. requires 21 hours in core disciplines and 15 hours in communication electives, delivering a more in-depth dive into applied communication areas. Internship is required for this option.
Outcomes
Graduates of the communication program can look forward to careers in:
- Electronic Media: TV or radio – on-air talent, editing, sales, programming or production
- Print Media: Magazine/newspaper/publisher – writing, editing, publishing, technical writing
- Public Relations: Research, writing/editing, special events, fund raising, administration
- Communication Training and Development: Business training programs, human resources
Employers of communication majors include TV and cable companies; radio stations; online/print publishers; newspapers; magazines; professional organizations; advertising agencies; federal, state, and local governments; businesses and trade associations; colleges, universities and schools; non-profit and special interest groups; and public relations and advertising firms.
| Preferred Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | Fall | August |
| December 1 | Spring | January |
| April 1 | Summer | May/June |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
Steps to Apply
- Complete undergraduate application – applications received at least six weeks prior to the beginning of a term will be given priority
- Submit $25 non-refundable application fee
- Submit official college transcripts for transfer credits from all attended institutions
Admission Requirements
Bachelor of Arts
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Completion of COMM 201 (or an approved equivalent) with a grade of C or better
Bachelor of Science
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
Credit Transfer
Students may transfer up to 60 hours from a community college and up to 90 hours from a regionally accredited 4-year college. Transfer applicants must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5 to be admitted in good standing.
International Students
- If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.
- International applicants must take the TOEFL exam if applying from countries where English is not the native language. Applicants holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States are exempt from this requirement.
- Bachelor's degrees earned internationally must be assessed to ensure that entrance requirements are met.
- International students will not be issued a U.S. visa if admitted to the online structural transportation certificate program, since there are no campus attendance requirements.
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
UofL’s online bachelor’s in communication is available as both an arts and a science degree to help you get the experience that’s right for you. Use the chart below to begin determining which degree option fits your career path and goals.
| Bachelor of Arts in Communication | Bachelor of Science in Communication | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | 18 hours of core courses 18 hours of communication electives (More emphasis on liberal arts and language) |
27 hours of core courses 21 hours of communication electives (More emphasis on applied communication) |
| Focus | Gain a broader understanding of how we communicate with one another with additional core requirements in a foreign language and other social science areas (such as sociology, psychology or women’s, gender and sexuality studies). | Take a deeper dive into important areas of applied communication with core requirements in areas like copywriting, newswriting, debate and more. Completion of an internship is also required. |
| Outcomes | Students have more flexibility in specializing their academic interest, and a wider range of career options due to the additional liberal arts courses. | Though still prepared for a diverse range of career opportunities, the applied communication courses give students more targeted expertise in chosen areas. |
The online Bachelor of Arts in Communication from UofL is a 121 credit hour program, with the following curriculum components:
- General education classes (34 credit hours)
- Arts & Sciences programmatic requirements (16 credit hours)
- Core communication courses and electives (36 credit hours)
- Supporting liberal arts courses (35 hours)
The online Bachelor of Science in Communication from UofL is a 121 credit hour program, with the following curriculum components:
- General education classes (34 credit hours)
- Arts & Sciences programmatic requirements (10-12 credit hours)
- Core communication courses and electives (48 credit hours)
- Supporting liberal arts courses (27-29 hours)
General Education Minimum Requirements: 34 hours
Arts & Sciences Programmatic Requirements
| Course | B.A. COMM (16 hours) |
B.S. COMM (10-12 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| GEN 100 or 101: Orientation | 1 | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 12 | 6-8 |
| Electives in Humanities or Natural Sciences at 300 level or above | 6 | 6 |
Communication Major Courses*:
| Course | B.A. COMM (36 hours) |
B.S. COMM (48 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 201 Introduction to Communication – SB | 3 | 3 |
| COMM 302 Advanced Speech Communication or 319 Debate | - | 3 |
| COMM 303 Introduction to Communication Technologies | 3 | 3 |
| COMM 304 Argument in Everyday Life | 3 | 3 |
| COMM 305 Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 | 3 |
| COMM 315 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 | 3 |
| COMM 316 Research Methods | 3 | 3 |
| COMM 320, 323, 344, 345 or 348 (in addition to WR courses) | - | 3 |
| COMM 417 Senior Communication Internship – CUE | - | 3 |
| COMM electives at 200 level or above | 3 | 3 |
| COMM electives at 300 level or above | 9 | 12 |
| COMM electives at 400 level or above | 3 | 6 |
Supporting Courses:
| Course | B.A. COMM (35 hours) |
B.S. COMM (27-29 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Electives (select one): Mathematics 109, Justice Administration 326, Management 201, Pan African Studies 408, Political Science 390, Psychology 301, Sociology 301 | 3 | 3 |
| Social Science electives (other than Communication) in addition to courses counted toward General Education | 18 (12 hours at the 300 level or above) |
12 |
| Natural Sciences elective (excluding Mathematics) in addition to courses counted toward General Education | 3 | 3 |
| Additional electives | 11 | 9-11 |
* Only 40 hours in the major courses may be applied toward the Bachelor of Arts degree. COMM 111, COMM 112, and COMM 115 are not counted in computing the 40 hours for a Communication major.
* Only 60 hours in the major courses may be applied toward the Bachelor of Science degree.
COMM 111, COMM 112, and COMM 115 are not counted in computing the 60 hours for a Communication major.
At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.
Course Descriptions
COMM 201 Introduction to Communication – SB
Introduction to basic concepts of communication discipline. Focuses on communication processes in interpersonal, small groups, organizations, and mass media.
COMM 302 Advanced Speech Communication
Prerequisite: COMM 111 or COMM 112 or COMM 115 or HON 214. Advanced principles and techniques of effective public speaking.
COMM 303 Introduction to Communication Technologies
Prerequisite: COMM 201 or permission of instructor. Students learn about communication technologies in contemporary society, explore the various contexts in which these technologies are used, and apply theoretical perspectives to the use of these technologies.
COMM 304 Argument in Everyday Life
Surveys theory and practice related to the creation and analysis of arguments in public communication. Topics include argument structure, evidence, types and limitations of inferences, and the adaptation of messages to particular contexts.
COMM 305 Introduction to Mass Communication
Prerequisite: COMM 201. Survey of media institutions and effects.
COMM 315 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Study of communication principles as they apply in everyday life. Applying social conventions as guides for effective communication.
COMM 316 Research Methods
Prerequisite: COMM 201. Introduction to basic research methods of communication discipline. Examines relationship of theory and methods, research design, and measurement in communication contexts.
COMM 319 Debate
Prerequisite: COMM 111 or COMM 112 or COMM 115 or faculty consent. Principles and techniques of preparing evidence and of persuasive speaking before critical listeners.
COMM 320 Newswriting – WR
Prerequisite: COMM 201. Study and practice of news-writing and reporting techniques for routine news stories, including story organization, writing story leads, and the elements of hard news and feature journalism. Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
COMM 323 Magazine and Feature Writing – WR
Prerequisite: COMM 201 and faculty consent. Introduction to practice and techniques of preparing articles for popular, specialized, and trade publication; attention to marketing and magazine makeup. Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
COMM 345 Advertising Copywriting – WR
Prerequisite: COMM 318. Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR) Preparation of ad copy. Emphasis on assumptions underlying approaches to copywriting.
COMM 348 Advertising Creativity
Prerequisite: COMM 342. Study and practice of the creative process and the team dynamic in the development of advertising campaigns. Note: Cross-listed with ART 372.
COMM 417 Senior Communication Internship – CUE
Prerequisite: Senior standing, 2.5 GPA overall, and faculty consent. Practical experience in communication related employment and critical reflection on how communication concepts and knowledge are applied in the field. Note: Contact department for application procedures and guidelines.