Curriculum: Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Next Term Application Deadline

03.15.2025

Total Credits

60 - 120

Next Term Starts

05.12.2025

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Curriculum at a Glance

A BA Communication degree is versatile and our curriculum reflects that range. Once admitted, you’ll work with your academic advisor and program director to build your unique curriculum guide based on your career goals and specific interests.

To receive a BA in Communication, there are certain requirements that need to be obtained. These requirements include:

A minimum of 45 credit hours in communication coursework.
A minimum GPA of 2.0 in communication coursework.

UC Online’s commitment to providing learners with an exceptional online learning experience was recognized by Quality Matters (QM) – the international leader in quality assurance for online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments.

UC’s Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication program is a proud recipient of the Quality Matters Certification for the following courses:

COMM 2004: Communicating Health, Science and the Environment
COMM 3007: Introduction to Communication Theory
COMM 3039: Communication Research Methods

Below is a list of the courses offered in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication online degree program:

Course	Title / Description	Credit
COMM2081	Business Communication Course: COMM2081 Credit: 3 Business Communication covers principles that establish written and oral communication standards in preparation for the workplace. Students will learn to analyze different writing situations, to plan and design communications, and to write in appropriate styles. Effective oral communication utilizing appropriate technologies, strategies, and skills will be discussed and developed.	3
COMM3006	Introduction to Rhetorical Theory Course: COMM3006 Credit: 3 This course is a survey of rhetorical and critical-cultural theories, definitions, characteristics and history from ancient Greece topresent. Students will be equipped to understand and analyze public discourse in light of the speaker, medium, message and context. Students will learn to identify their own world view and how this impacts communication in everyday life.	3
COMM1076	Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Course: COMM1076 Credit: 3 Introduction to theory and practice in interpersonal communication. Topics include verbal and nonverbal communication, perception, listening, emotions, relationship development, conflict and power. Focus is on the development of an understanding of fundamental interpersonal dynamics and basic skills.	3
COMM3007	Introduction to Communication Theory Course: COMM3007 Credit: 3 This required course for majors is designed to review historically significant communication theories by genres and traditions. The course also explores the meta-theoretical foundation of communication theory and explores the key differences between scientific and interpretive worldviews and their respective research methodologies and resulting scholarship.	3
COMM3039	Communication Research Methods Course: COMM3039 Credit: 3 This course introduces students to the major methods used in conducting Communication research from a social scientific perspective. The course explores the purposes and goals of social science research, issues and obstacles in conducting research with human subjects, and uses of social science research in advancing knowledge of human communication. Specifically, the course addresses:(a) the use and analysis of surveys, experiments, interviews, and focus groups, (b) validity and reliability issues in conducting social science research, and (c) ethical issues in conducting research with human subjects.	3
COMM1071	Introduction to Effective Speaking Course: COMM1071 Credit: 3 This course introduces the principles of and practice in composition and presentation of speeches. Topics include speaker and audience relationship, organization of speeches, active listening skills, use of appropriate language, use of technology as an enhancement of speech, managing speech anxiety and developing a natural verbal and nonverbal delivery style.	3
COMM2004	Communicating About Health, Environment and Science Course: COMM2004 Credit: 3 This course surveys theoretical and applied dimensions of communication issues pertaining to environmental, health, and science issues facing contemporary society. Students will learn about the symbolic and material dimensions of environment and health issues, ways in which risk is evaluated and communicated in a variety of contexts, and about the parameters of scientific argument in various technical and political arenas.	3
COMM2021	Communication in Problem-Solving Groups Course: COMM2021 Credit: 3 This experiential course covers the basic principles and theories of small group communication. Students will learn to identify behavioral outcomes of others and analyze, adjust and improve on their own communication skills. Students will be equipped to demonstrate understanding of group participation variables including: individual roles, leadership, goal achievement, conflict management, power dynamics, decision making, impact of personal image and business, social and system's theory models.	3
COMM2002	Advanced Public Speaking Course: COMM2002 Credit: 3 Advanced Public Speaking is a course that explores practices and develops skills in areas such as audience adaptation, advanced communication strategies, organization, use of technology, active listening, verbal and nonverbal delivery. This course will help students refine their speaking skills and ready them for professional settings.	3
COMM3077	COMMUNICATION, IDENTITY, AND SPORT Course: COMM3077 Credit: 3 This course introduces students to ways in which communication processes and practices contribute to the enactment, production, consumption, and organization of sport. In addition, the course examines ways in which sports communication both reflects and shapes personal identity, community, culture, politics, and other dimensions of human experience. Students will be exposed to theories drawn from interpersonal, organizational, mediated, and public communication that are relevant to communication and sport from player, fan, consumer, and societal perspectives; and willalso examine a number of topical case studies.	3
COMM2026	Introduction to Mass Communication Course: COMM2026 Credit: 3 This is a basic course designed to examine the role of media in contemporary political and cultural contexts. It will cover historical perspectives on the development, nature, and functions of mass media in society, and will deal with governmental regulations, ethical issues, ownership, audience response, professional versus personal use, and career pathways.	3
COMM2048	Event Planning & Fundraising Management Course: COMM2048 Credit: 3 Special event production utilized as a fundraising management tool is a blend of art and science needed to build awareness, increase member support and raise gifts for non-profit, health and education clients. This course will introduce the fundamentals of resource development: philosophy of philanthropy and the various motivations for giving; process (research, planning, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship & evaluation); and best practices by which managers can utilize event planning to develop an effective fundraising program. Through case studies and guest lectures, students will learn the essentials of how to create high quality events including developing objectives, invitation/marketing materials, selecting and negotiating price with venue and service providers, volunteer management, design, budget, logistic, publicity and promotion strategies and tactics.	3
COMM4029	Media and Technology Course: COMM4029 Credit: 3 This course explores significant economic, political, cultural, social, and civic issues connected with the convergence of digital media. Students will study a variety of digital media and examine how digitalization has changed cultural patterns of media consumption, distribution, and production.	3
COMM2042	Introduction to Public Relations Course: COMM2042 Credit: 3 Introduction to Public Relations is an introduction to the history, theories and practices of the public relations profession. The ethics of PR, and PR as a process that is integral to successful organizational functioning, will be explored. Students will also develop some of the writing, planning and organizational skills of a PR professional.	3
COMM4067	Environmental Communication Course: COMM4067 Credit: 3 The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the emerging field of environmental communication. Course topics include the constitutive and instrumental dimensions of environmental communication, the dimensions and formation of the environmental self, the role of environmental communication in the formation of culture, and the nature of environmental advocacy efforts and campaigns. Students will consider the impact environmental communication plays and of their role as consumers in contemporary society through a variety of assignments, including field-based observation and participation.	3
COMM4013	Gender and Communication Course: COMM4013 Credit: 3 The class examines relationships between communication and gender. Different perspectives about the role of communication in creating gender roles, including socialization in language, the family, and media are discussed and debated. The implication of gender construction for communication in interpersonal relationships, the workplace, health, and national/global politics are examined. The class considers the role of ethnicity, class and sexuality in constructing and enacting gendered roles.	3
COMM5000	Capstone In Communication And Contemporary Issues Course: COMM5000 Credit: 3 This course will provide students with a culminating experience related to a communication topic or issue of current concern. Students will demonstrate capstone competencies of effective communication, critical thinking, knowledge integration and social responsibility related to the topic or issue selected. The course will also contain an experiential learning component.	3