Online Bachelor of Science in Communication
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Program at a Glance
- Prepare for entry-level employment in a variety of fields including public relations, advertising, marketing, organizational communications, or management.
- Choose electives aligned with your career interests such as technical communication, leadership, sales, entrepreneurship, public relations, and human resources.
- Shorten your path to a master's degree with the accelerated bachelor's to master's option.
- Deepen your expertise with a concentration in business foundations, digital communication, or public relations.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Course Effort
15–18 Hours per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Average Completion
4 years
Of Full-Time Study
Credits Required
180
(120 Semester Credits)
Cost per Credit
$371
Bachelor of Science in Communication Overview
Strong written and verbal communication skills are among the top qualities that employers look for in recent college graduates.*
The bachelor's degree in communication curriculum covers the fundamentals as well as relevant topics for today's world, including conflict management, persuasion, diversity, and digital media. This degree plan also offers optional concentrations in business foundations, digital communication, and public relations.
Learn from faculty with real-world experience. Our curriculum is vetted by leading and experienced professionals, so you learn the latest skills and practices. Coursework emphasizes:
- Writing and speaking skills, group dynamics, team building, and resolving complex issues that arise in the workplace
- Planning and developing dynamic, interactive multimedia presentations
- Understanding the effects of technology, government and industry regulation, and legal and ethical issues in communication
- Using new media and software applications most frequently used in business, institutional, and home environments
See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.
Optional Internship
Gain real-world experience with an internship while you earn your online communication degree.
Military Transfer Credit
Servicemembers and veterans can earn a degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your training counts as credit.
How Many Credits Have You EarnedPurdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Accelerated Master’s Degree Options
You can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in criminal justice, homeland security and emergency management, public administration, educational psychology, human services, legal studies, or psychology while you earn your Bachelor of Science in Communication. Complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.
Take a Career Assessment
Discover your work interests and use them to chart your ideal career path.
Ways To Save
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Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
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Prior Work Experience
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
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Financial Aid
Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.
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Grants
Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.
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Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
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Military Tuition Reduction
55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.
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Prior Military Experience
We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.
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International Tuition Reduction
International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.
Program Cost Estimator
Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.
What Courses Will I Take?
Courses combine both theory and application, enabling you to gain a critical understanding of social issues, new media, and effective writing and speaking skills.
In your first course, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes.
See All Communication CoursesSample Courses
- Mass Media and Broadcasting
- Public Speaking for the Professional
- Tools for the Digital Age
- Organizational Communication
- Technical Communication
Optional Concentrations
Personalize your communications degree with an optional concentration in business foundations, digital communications, or public relations. Concentration courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.
Program Requirements
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits78
- Elective Credits57
- Total Credits180
Optional Concentrations
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits78
- Elective Credits29–37
- Concentration Credits20–28
- Total Credits180
What Can I Do With a Communication Degree?
This program is designed to prepare you to enter fields such as advertising, marketing, organizational communication, public relations, publishing, human resources, law, criminal justice, politics and public administration, ministry, social services, opinion and market research, fundraising, civil service, international business, and management.
Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:
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Active Listening
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Social Perceptiveness
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Critical Thinking
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Reading Comprehension
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Writing
Top Jobs With This Degree
Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
View Communication Faculty Directory
98%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
51%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
395
Faculty publications in 2021–2022
More Than 38,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.
Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Communication and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
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That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers, "Key Attributes Employers Want to See on Students' Resumes," April 2021, www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/candidate-selection/key-attributes-employers-want-to-see-on-students-resumes/.