Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Master the art of communication in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven marketplace and qualify for in-demand roles in your chosen industry. This affordable, 100 percent online program is a career differentiator.

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Apply by 8/4/25
Start Class 8/25/25

Program Overview

Accelerate your professional growth with this bachelor’s in communication

$13,500* In-State Tuition
As few as 12 months Program Duration
30 Credit Hours
$460* Per Credit Hour
Up to 90 Transfer Credits
120 Credit Hours
$460* Per Credit Hour
Up to 90 Transfer Credits
120 Credit Hours

Become a valued member of your organization’s strategic growth team. This career-defining online Bachelor of Arts in Communication program from Youngstown State University will hone your ability to leverage modern communication technologies. Graduate with the competency to craft and disseminate messages that appeal to diverse audiences across various mediums.

Sharpen your skills in areas such as persuasive writing, public speaking, social media marketing and team collaboration, and learn how to apply communication theory to personal and professional situations. Coursework is taught by highly experienced faculty dedicated to your success. Benefit from the convenience of pay-as-you-go tuition and multiple start dates—and begin studying online while maintaining a work-life balance.

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  • Collect, analyze and report qualitative and quantitative data, demonstrating information literacy, critical-thinking, and problem-solving acumen
  • Effectively employ mediated communication technologies, including their features, functions and applications, to competently communicate across different mediums
  • Create professional, coherent, organized and persuasive oral and written messages, which adapt to various purposes, audiences and platforms
  • Embrace individual and cultural differences, respect diverse perspectives, and create messages that accommodate differences to be prepared for multicultural workplaces
  • Develop skills in leadership, professionalism, conflict management and teamwork in preparation for career readiness
  • Apply communication theory and concepts to personal and professional contexts, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, team, organizational and mediated

Graduates of this B.A. in Communication online program are prepared for a variety of roles in areas such as:

  • Management
  • Business and Financial Operations
  • Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media
  • Sales
  • Office and Administrative Support

In this B.A. in Communication program, you will learn how to:

  • Collect, analyze and report qualitative and quantitative data, demonstrating information literacy, critical-thinking, and problem-solving acumen
  • Effectively employ mediated communication technologies, including their features, functions and applications, to competently communicate across different mediums
  • Create professional, coherent, organized and persuasive oral and written messages, which adapt to various purposes, audiences and platforms
  • Embrace individual and cultural differences, respect diverse perspectives, and create messages that accommodate differences to be prepared for multicultural workplaces
  • Develop skills in leadership, professionalism, conflict management and teamwork in preparation for career readiness
  • Apply communication theory and concepts to personal and professional contexts, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, team, organizational and mediated
In this B.A. in Communication program, you will learn how to: [+]
  • Collect, analyze and report qualitative and quantitative data, demonstrating information literacy, critical-thinking, and problem-solving acumen
  • Effectively employ mediated communication technologies, including their features, functions and applications, to competently communicate across different mediums
  • Create professional, coherent, organized and persuasive oral and written messages, which adapt to various purposes, audiences and platforms
  • Embrace individual and cultural differences, respect diverse perspectives, and create messages that accommodate differences to be prepared for multicultural workplaces
  • Develop skills in leadership, professionalism, conflict management and teamwork in preparation for career readiness
  • Apply communication theory and concepts to personal and professional contexts, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, team, organizational and mediated
This program prepares you for roles in areas of higher education leadership such as:
  • Management
  • Business and Financial Operations
  • Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media
  • Sales
  • Office and Administrative Support

Undergrad Admission FAQs

Your questions about YSU’s online B.A. in Communication answered. Take a look at some of our most frequently asked questions.

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Tuition

Earn your degree affordably with our low-cost tuition

Expand your opportunities with a high-value online B.A. in Communication program that features affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition.

Tuition breakdown:

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$460* Per Credit Hour

*In-state tuition.

Note: No payment plans are available for accelerated online students.

View full tuition breakdown
Program Per Credit Hour Per Course
In-State Out-of-State In-State Out-of-State
B.A. in Communication $460 $465 $1,380 $1,395

Calendar

Review important start dates and deadlines

This Youngstown State University program features an accelerated online format optimized for flexibility and convenience. Review upcoming start dates and other important deadlines below.

Next Start & Application Due Dates:

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8/4/25 Next Application Deadline
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8/25/25 Start Classes

View full calendar  + 

First StartsProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineLast Class Day
Fall 18/25/258/4/258/11/258/20/258/22/2510/12/25
Fall 210/20/259/29/2510/6/2510/15/2510/17/2512/7/25

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from YSU?

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Admissions

Follow these steps to apply to the online communication bachelor’s program

To be admitted to a YSU online undergraduate program, you must meet specific requirements. Please read the admission guidelines for the B.A. in Communication online program to ensure you qualify.

Application Icon Online application
Resume Icon Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended
GPA Calculator Icon Minimum 2.0 GPA
Application Icon Online application
Resume Icon Official transcriptsfrom all institutions previously attended
GPA Calculator Icon Minimum 2.0 GPA
View admission requirements

Applying at Youngstown State University is a simple, 3-step process and is the first step toward earning your online B.A. in Communication degree from Youngstown State University. The admission information below will detail what’s required, what additional materials you need and where you should send them. Review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.

Admission Requirements

  • Must be at least 25 years of age at time of enrollment
    • If you are under 25, you still qualify for this program and other undergraduate programs. Visit the Online Degree Programs Page for more information.
  • Have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Be in good standing at the previously attended school
  • This program requires earned transfer credits
  • Complete undergraduate admission application

Application Submission Requirements

  • Pay $45 application fee (waived if you are an active duty/veteran military member)
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Official Transcripts

Transcripts must be mailed from the granting institution or sent electronically through a secure server vendor.

Email Address: [email protected]
Fax Number: 330-941-3674
Mailing Address:

Office of Admissions
1 Tressel Way
Youngstown, OH 44555

Transfer Credits and PLA

Youngstown State recognizes that your journey to this point may not be a straight path. You may have credits from other institutions, along with certifications and experience that also may qualify for earned credits. Upon admission, Youngstown State’s advisors will work with you to maximize your credits earned to shorten the path to earning your degree.

For additional information on the Youngstown State credit transfer and prior learning assessment (PLA) policies, please see the Undergrad FAQ page.

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Courses

Preview the curriculum for your online bachelor’s in communication program

For the B.A. in Communication online program, you must complete 120 credit hours. If you have credits from other institutions, certifications and/or relevant experience, you may qualify for earned credits. A YSU advisor will help you determine your total credits earned upon admission.

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General Education Courses            38
Free Electives or Minor                  25

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories, strategies, and skills for competent participation in interpersonal, group, and public communication situations. Application exercises in interpersonal, group, and public communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of significant theories of communication that reflect the diversity of communication studies and address different communication contexts: interpersonal, group, public, organizational, and mass.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of key historical and contemporary theories that affect communication across cultural boundaries. Exercises for improving communication skills in intercultural communication situations are included.

Students must choose between CMST 4896 or CMST 4859

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the world of media, journalism and communication with a focus on various functional areas and career opportunities. Development of the requirements of the communication professional including teamwork, information gathering and communication skills.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories, strategies, and skills for competent participation in interpersonal, group, and public communication situations. Application exercises in interpersonal, group, and public communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of significant theories of communication that reflect the diversity of communication studies and address different communication contexts: interpersonal, group, public, organizational, and mass.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of key historical and contemporary theories that affect communication across cultural boundaries. Exercises for improving communication skills in intercultural communication situations are included.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to theories and concepts relating to group communication effectiveness with practical career applications.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the skills necessary to develop, maintain, and evaluate one-to-one relationships. Through practical experiences from everyday life, the class examines what occurs when one person communicates with another.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces students to quantitative research methods in communication studies, focusing on designing, conducting, and analyzing communication research. Students will gain skills in statistical analysis, survey design, and experimental methods.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores qualitative research methods in communication studies, emphasizing the design, collection, and interpretation of rich, contextual data. Students will learn foundational approaches such as interviews, focus groups, ethnography, and discourse analysis to investigate communication phenomena. The course combines theoretical grounding with hands-on practice, preparing students to conduct and critically evaluate qualitative research.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories of communication applied to interview situations with a special concern for developing student understanding of and skills needed to participate in one-to-one and panel interviews.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the concepts personal brand communication, media image management, personal image repair, review of name-image-likeness (NIL) principles and practices.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Application of communication skills through supervised work experience. Students complete a minimum of 180 work hours. Internship placement is selective. May require travel.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analysis of organizational cultures. Relationships between organizational culture and communication in modern organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Synthesis of research, writing, and presentation skills through the completion of a communication research project and professional development activity.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to writing for the mass media. Development of writing techniques and examination of styles and approaches used in writing for various mass audiences. Includes news stories, press releases, broadcast scripts and writing for online environments.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This project-based course provides an in-depth exploration of visual literacy concepts as they pertain to mobile production in the context of social media. Students will engage critically with the principles of photography, message design, videography, and audio production, learning the production process and examining how these elements contribute to effective content creation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of writing for public and professional/technical audiences. Students examine the use of writing in public organizations, government, the nonprofit sector, the safety and health professions, and political and social campaigns. With an emphasis on audience and purpose, students consider the rhetorical and ethical demands of writing in public, professional and technical contexts. Assignments may include analysis and research, proposals, media kits, editorials, instructions, position papers, and web content.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers a critical survey of the role played by mass communication in shaping culture. Individual media institutions are examined in terms of the information they distribute, the entertainment they provide, and the influence they exercise. Special attention is paid to the audience-medium relationship and the concept of media literacy.

Students must also choose 6 hours of Communication Electives

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analyze and evaluate social media communication in its variety of forms. Includes message evaluation, digital media curating, ethics and privacy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines practical applications of social media for effective communication. Students learn strategies for managing personal and professional social media accounts, creating engaging content, and building strong online communities, focusing on community management, message design, and analytics.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Integrated media campaign development using social media applications; theory and practice of social media campaign lifecycles including inception, implementation, and evaluation of client-based projects.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the cutting-edge developments in communication technology and their impact on society. Students gain a deep understanding of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality, and their potential applications in various fields.

Choose 6 of the following:

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In depth examination of the theory and practice of preparing and delivering presentations in today's work environment with emphasis of the impact of internet technology on the forms of oral communication presentations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Principal concepts and issues of gender and communication as they apply to identity, and communication within and between the genders in a variety of contexts.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Developing critical thinking through systematic evaluation of critical thinking theories, principles, and practices of argumentation. This course will discuss critical thinking occurring in reading, writing, listening, and spoken discourse.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories of relationship development, maintenance and termination. The impact of face-to-face and mediated communication on interpersonal relationships.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Experiential course exploring the concepts of leadership, diversity, and belonging in the modern workplace, focusing on intercultural communication, the benefits of a diverse workforce, and the challenges that organizations face in creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Experiential course for students interested in teaching or corporate training. The course introduces students to instructional design, instructional technologies, and best practices for teaching diverse learners in in-person, online, and hybrid courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth analysis of the theories and variables influencing conflict management, resolution, and negotiation. Includes strategies and skills for meditation and arbitration.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to persuasion theory and application of theory to new communication media.

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*Price includes in-state tuition and fees. For students from outside Ohio, tuition and fees total $465 per credit hour.

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