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.
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
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.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. in Communication | $321 | $963 | $38,520 |
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.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/22/23 | 5/8/23 | 5/12/23 | 5/17/23 | 5/19/23 | 7/7/23 | 7 weeks |
| Summer 2 | 7/10/23 | 6/26/23 | 6/30/23 | 7/5/23 | 7/7/23 | 8/25/23 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 1 | 9/4/23 | 8/21/23 | 8/25/23 | 8/30/23 | 9/1/23 | 10/20/23 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/30/23 | 10/16/23 | 10/20/23 | 10/25/23 | 10/27/23 | 12/15/23 | 7 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.
COMM 110: Introduction to Human Communication
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.
COMM 120: Introduction to Media Studies
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.
COMM 210: Public Speaking
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.
COMM 220: Visual Communication and Design
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.
COMM 230: Media Writing
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.
COMM 375: Internship I
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.
COMM 490: Seminar in Communication
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.
COMM 290: Communication in a Digital World
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.
COMM 309: Photo Design with Photoshop
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.
COMM 310: Feature and Magazine Writing
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.
COMM 343: Introduction to Advertising
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.
COMM 345: Strategic/Promotional Writing
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).
COMM 403: Interaction Design
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.
COMM 418: Creative Advertising Strategies
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.
COMM 290: Communication in a Digital World
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.
COMM 309: Photo Design with Photoshop
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.
COMM 344: Introduction to Public Relations
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.
COMM 345: Strategic/Promotional Writing
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).
COMM 355: Organizational Communication
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.
COMM 403: Interaction Design
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.
COMM 413: Public Relations Project Management
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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