Bachelor of Arts in Communication Online

Develop the professional communication and critical thinking skills to contribute to the success of a variety of organizations. This online bachelor’s program offers two career-advancing specializations.

Apply By: 6/26/23 Request Info
Start Class: 7/10/23 Apply Now

Program Overview

Gain professional expertise with our online bachelor in communication program

Elevate your skill as a writer, editor, and public speaker with the online Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Curriculum for this dynamic program deepens your ability to think creatively and critically, and our dedicated faculty are invested in helping you build the confidence and professional skillset to pursue exciting new career opportunities.

This online bachelor in communications lets you tailor your studies to your personal interests by choosing from two career-advancing specializations: Advertising and Social Media or Public Relations and Event Planning. Take advantage of our generous transfer credit policy and multiple start dates per year to achieve your academic and professional goals in less time.

As a graduate of this online bachelor’s, you will be prepared to:

  • Think analytically about contemporary and historical issues in media studies and human communication
  • Research, organize, and write articles and papers in a variety of styles
  • Demonstrate visual literacy through the ability to understand symbolism, aesthetics, and composition
  • Research, organize, and deliver an effective oral presentation
  • Perform effectively in a position in the communication industry
  • Think analytically about contemporary and historical issues in media studies and human communication
  • Research, organize, and write articles and papers in a variety of styles
  • Demonstrate visual literacy through the ability to understand symbolism, aesthetics, and composition
  • Research, organize, and deliver an effective oral presentation
  • Perform effectively in a position in the communication industry

Career opportunities:

  • Social Media Specialist
  • Public Relations Manager
  • Brand Strategist
  • Editor
  • Event Planner
  • Sales Representative
  • Fundraising Consultant
  • Social Media Specialist
  • Public Relations Manager
  • Brand Strategist
  • Editor
  • Event Planner
  • Sales Representative
  • Fundraising Consultant

Also available:

The Mount has multiple undergraduate degree programs online. Explore our online bachelor’s degrees.

Per Credit Hour: $321
Transfer Credits: Up to 90
Credit Hours: 120

Need More Information?

Call 888-975-0419

Call 888-975-0419

Tuition

Our affordable tuition won’t compromise your budget

At the College of Mount Saint Vincent, we are committed to providing a high-quality education for less than you would expect. Tuition for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication is affordable and can easily fit into your budget.

Tuition Breakdown:

Per Credit Hour $321
Per Course $963

Calendar

Take note of these important deadlines

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication is designed with working adults in mind. We offer multiple start dates and faster course completion time to help you earn your degree when it’s convenient for you.

TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Summer 15/22/235/8/235/12/235/17/235/19/237/7/237 weeks
Summer 27/10/236/26/236/30/237/5/237/7/238/25/237 weeks
Fall 19/4/238/21/238/25/238/30/239/1/2310/20/237 weeks
Fall 210/30/2310/16/2310/20/2310/25/2310/27/2312/15/237 weeks

Now Enrolling:

Next Apply Date 6/26/23
Start Class 7/10/23

Ready to take the next steps toward earning your online degree?

Admissions

Easily complete your application to our B.A. in Communication online program

The streamlined admission process at the College of Mount Saint Vincent makes it easier to apply and helps you start your academic journey faster. Please read the full admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

  • No ACT/SAT scores required
  • Transfer up to 90 credit hours
  • GPA of 2.0 or higher

You must meet the following requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Communication online program:

  • Submit online application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • First time freshman must be out of high school for 2 years

Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to our Office of Admissions:

Email address: [email protected]

Mail address:
Office of Admission
College of Mount Saint Vincent
6301 Riverdale Avenue
Riverdale, NY 10471

Courses

Explore the coursework in our B.A. in Communication online program

For the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication online, the curriculum comprises 40 courses for a total of 120 credit hours, including seven Communication core courses.

Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the Strategic and Human Communication concentration. Topics include the history of the communication field, human communication theories, verbal and nonverbal communication, culture and communication, interpersonal and small group communication, and communication in organizations.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the Digital Arts and Media Studies concentration. It focuses on mass mediated communication fields including newspapers and magazines, sound recording, radio, broadcast television, cable television, movies, advertising, and online media.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to develop effective and responsible public speaking skills. The course will focus on researching, organizing, writing, and presenting various types of speeches including informational and persuasive.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During this course, students learn to understand and apply type-image relationships, color, and form in digital design, including basic layouts. The course presents foundations and relevant concepts in visual literacy, symbolism, and aesthetics as applied to practical considerations, such as composition, motion and design.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a study of the basic procedures and techniques of print news reporting, writing and editing as well as writing for the electronic news media, online sources, public relations, and advertising.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During this course, students participate in an off-campus training experience closely related to one of the areas of communication. Frequent meetings with an advisor plus a final project are required. Permission of Communication Department Internship Coordinator required. Junior or Senior majors only.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During this course, students will select a topic in one of the areas of concentration and develop it into a major paper including an original research study. Students will also present their findings in a formal oral presentation. Senior majors only.
Students selecting the Advertising & Social Media Track must choose five of these courses.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Data mining machines constantly probe and survey us to know our tastes, purchasing habits, social media contacts, and preferences for entertainment and virtual spaces. This introductory course overviews recent social and technological shifts in digital spaces and explores the ubiquity and exponential growth of new Internet based data sources, in other words, Big Data. Participants will share observations through critical readings, discussions, observations, short papers, and computer lab activities.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During this course, students explore conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging, including image capture, color management, editing and correction, composition and layout, and several types of image composites. Master the basics of design with Photoshop, then construct seamless and complex images using masking and compositing techniques.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course centers around methods in design, typography, and editing in magazine production. Students also learn how to research, write, and market quality articles in magazine format.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce students to the history of advertising in the U.S. and the development of brands. Students will learn fundamental strategies that advertisers use to capture consumer attention, create sales pitches, compete in the marketplace and adapt to the introduction of new technologies. Additional emphasis is given to ethical considerations as they relate to advertising and promotions.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to complement other courses in public relations and strategic communication by providing opportunities for students to practice and be critiqued on their copy and design work for multiple kinds of PR, and professional business writing (e.g., news releases, business reports, business correspondence, project proposals, advertising copy).
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers an in depth study of programming, design patterns and experimentation in interactive environments, including IOS app development, web development, and game engines.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course uses a team-based approach in the development of an integrated marketing communications (IMC) campaign for a real world client. Course participants will work in teams and design integrated strategies to solve an advertising problem as agreed upon with their client. Toward the end of the semester, teams will pitch their ideas to the client for industry critique.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Data mining machines constantly probe and survey us to know our tastes, purchasing habits, social media contacts, and preferences for entertainment and virtual spaces. This introductory course overviews recent social and technological shifts in digital spaces and explores the ubiquity and exponential growth of new Internet based data sources, in other words, Big Data. Participants will share observations through critical readings, discussions, observations, short papers, and computer lab activities.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During this course, students explore conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging, including image capture, color management, editing and correction, composition and layout, and several types of image composites. Master the basics of design with Photoshop, then construct seamless and complex images using masking and compositing techniques.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce students to principles of public relations and the field. Students will learn about the development and maintenance of relationships between a variety of different kinds of organizations/clients and their publics. Class assignments are structured to encourage students to become better writers, speakers, designers, and strategic thinkers.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to complement other courses in public relations and strategic communication by providing opportunities for students to practice and be critiqued on their copy and design work for multiple kinds of PR, and professional business writing (e.g., news releases, business reports, business correspondence, project proposals, advertising copy).
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a theoretical exploration of communication processes in a variety of organizational contexts. The course explores how communication affects working relationships.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers an in depth study of programming, design patterns and experimentation in interactive environments, including IOS app development, web development, and game engines.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines public relations through the integration of theory and practice in the planning, implementation and evaluation of an actual PR campaign and/or event. Emphasis is placed on the effective design of messages and their distribution among key publics/stakeholders. Course participants will interview for and be selected into a variety of management and team roles in a PR organization made-up of students in the class.
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