Communication (BA)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2024–Spring 2025 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication 
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Communication 
Academic Plan Code(s): COMMBA, COMMBA_O

Program Information

This program can be completed in a traditional classroom format or entirely online.

The Department of Communication offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication.

A Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree are equally valued. Both offer the students who earn them the opportunity to continue their education at the master’s degree level if they are so inclined. But, the two tracks do tend to hone different strengths. The coursework required for a Bachelor of Arts degree generally allows students to sharpen their oral and written communication skills. The demands of a Bachelor of Science degree include sharpening basic Communication skills as well as developing analytical skills relevant to Communication in a more in-depth manner.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.

Degree Summary

Accelerated BA/MA (Master of Arts) in Communication

Communication majors who are considering pursuing a master’s degree (MA) in Communication can speed up the process by applying some of their undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree.  Students accepted into the Accelerated BA/MA take three graduate courses (9 credit hours) as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor’s degree and the eventual master's degree.  

Interested students must apply for admission to the program. Admission will be based on cumulative GPA (3.25 or better after earning 45 credit hours), completion of COMM 316 with a grade of B or higher, and two letters of recommendation from Communication faculty. Only students seeking a graduate assistantship will be required to take the GRE. 

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Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.

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3 hours of College/School requirement is satisfied in Natural Science requirement in Program/Major supporting coursework.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Admission to the BA in Communication requires:

1. Completion of COMM 201 with a minimum grade of C
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
3. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 on courses in the major

The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

General Education Requirements

*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above. 

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Completion of the intermediate level of a single foreign language

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In addition to courses counted toward General Education

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May be incorporated into other degree requirements

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Fulfills General Education requirement.

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 Or another statistics elective approved by an advisor

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 Or another Social Science elective approved by an advisor

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 Or another Natural Sciences course approved by an advisor

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Only 12 hours needed if statistics requirement fulfilled in a social science discipline.

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In addition to courses counted toward General Education

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Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

Flight Plan 

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, or create a What-if report.  Once you're logged into your ULink account, click on the Student Services tab, then click on "View my Academic Advisement Report" to run a Degree Audit report in the Undergraduate Advising area.  To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."

Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan.  What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  For both reports, please consult with your advisor before editing your course schedule.