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Bachelor's in communication

Many career paths in business, government, marketing, and media engage communication skills. Develop yours by pursuing a bachelor's degree in communication.

Explore communication degrees

Why earn an online bachelor's in communication?

Gain access to multiple employment sectors

A bachelor's in communication can lead to roles in many industries and sectors, including business, marketing, public relations, government, and media.

Build on your credentials

Communication degrees are interdisciplinary and transfer well to many other academic fields. If you choose to continue your education, you'll have plenty of options.

Study on a flexible schedule

Attend schools beyond your immediate area and benefit from convenient, flexible course offerings.

Explore online bachelor's degrees in communication

What can you do with a bachelor's degree in communication?

Communication degrees can open doors to jobs in advertising, marketing, public relations, government, business management, and media, among other fields. Some paths offer advancement opportunities with experience, while others may require additional training, certifications, or advanced degrees.

Explore five career possibilities:

Public relations specialist

Working in public relations (PR) or media teams, PR specialists build and manage their employer's public image. Specific duties include responding to media inquiries, curating public-facing content, writing press releases, and tracking attitudinal data about the organization. Over time, the role can lead to PR management positions — particularly if you go on to .

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2023): $66,750
  • BLS projected job growth (2023-33): +6%
Market research analyst

Market research analysts seek ways for companies to connect more effectively with people who buy their products or services. They conduct market research, analyze market and industry trends, and extract insights from market data.

  • BLS median annual salary (2023): $74,680
  • BLS projected job growth (2023-33): +8%
Human resources specialist

Human resources specialists participate in employee recruitment, administration, and evaluation. They interview job candidates, make hiring recommendations, manage employee compensation and benefits, ensure organizational compliance with labor laws, and help mediate internal disputes.

  • BLS median annual salary (2023): $67,650
  • BLS projected job growth (2023-33): +8%
News analyst, reporter, and journalist

These professionals report on and analyze current events in print, video, and digital formats. The role may involve travel and often requires interviews with subjects, firsthand fact-finding, and liaising with editors during the story development process.

  • BLS median annual salary (2023): $57,500
  • BLS projected job growth (2023-33): -3%
Technical writer

Technical writers are communication specialists who distill complex or specialized information into digestible forms for a general readership. The role often requires technical expertise in the writer's area of specialization.

  • BLS median annual salary (2023): $80,050
  • BLS projected job growth (2023-33): +4%

What can you learn in an online communication program?

Bachelor's in communication programs provide interdisciplinary training in communication media, processes, and best practices. Courses develop skills in media management, interpersonal relations, rhetoric and persuasion, and PR. Students often learn by analyzing case studies and completing hands-on projects.

Through your electives or by pursuing a concentration track, you can build specializations in areas like:

  • Business communication
  • Crisis management
  • Digital communication
  • Public relations
  • Social media

Schools typically offer elective courses in diverse niches, creating customizable concentration pathways.

Learn more about admissions requirements

Bachelor's in communication admissions requirements generally include a high school diploma or the equivalent, plus a grade-point average (GPA) that at least meets minimum standards.

GPA requirements vary by school: They're lower at more inclusive schools and higher at more selective schools. Admissions officials will request and review your academic transcripts.

You may also need to submit:

  • A personal essay
  • ACT or SAT scores
  • Letters of recommendation

Some schools may also hold admissions interviews.

Discover common communication courses

Communication curricula can vary significantly, depending on your program's focus. You should carefully compare curricular paths before choosing a school.

Examples of commonly offered courses include:

  • Introduction to communication: This foundational course provides a broad introduction to the field, exploring various communication strategies and their impacts.
  • Public relations communication: You'll learn about PR functions and strategies, how they affect public perception, and the tools for shaping and controlling messaging.
  • Social media management: Social media has emerged as a powerful communication medium, and this course focuses on the tools social media specialists use to build and maintain positive relationships with their audiences.
  • Organizational communication: Internal communication plays a central role in organizational culture, especially for large organizations. Emphasizing diversity and cultural sensitivity, this course examines best practices for intra-organizational communication.
  • Communication capstone: This culminating experience involves an original, self-guided, long-form project or case study in which students engage with and solve a real-world communication problem.

Get started on edX

On edX, you can connect with bachelor's and master's programs in communication, standalone courses, and career information. Start your search or sign up for a course today

Frequently asked questions

What is a bachelor's degree in communication?

A bachelor's in communication is a four-year undergraduate degree that covers interdisciplinary topics in media messaging and its management. The path can lead to career opportunities in business management, government, journalism, human resources, public relations, marketing, and media.

What is the difference between a BA and a BS in communication?

Bachelor of arts (BA) programs emphasize the qualitative side of communication, while bachelor of science (BS) programs focus more on the technical side. Both paths lead to similar educational outcomes and career paths.

What are the highest-paying communication jobs?

Public relations and fundraising managers are among the highest-paying communication roles. According to 2023 BLS data, these professionals earn a median annual salary of $130,480. These roles may require significant industry experience or a .

How long does it take to get a bachelor's in communication online?

If you're a first-time undergraduate student with no transfer credits, earning your degree will likely take about four academic years. You can reduce that timeline if you have transferable college courses or if you overload your schedule beyond a typical full-time course load.