Communication Studies - B.A.

Communication is the backbone of 21st century society and the modern economy — the driving force behind community action, societal change and many business endeavors. Whether you are interested in social media, digital communications/marketing, fundraising, human resources or any other field, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, you’ll master the skill employers consistently rank as most important in the workforce: effective communication. This program provides a foundation for success in careers across government, business, nonprofits and beyond.

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Program Information for Communication Studies - B.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

When employers are asked what they look for in new hires, communication skills top the list every time. The key to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies is flexibility. The curriculum allows students to design an individual, communication-based program of coursework that prepares them for the future. The Communication Studies major provides students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed across professional industries — from government and business to nonprofits and education. The program's mission is to teach students to communicate effectively, lead responsibly, understand how communication affects identities, communities and cultures, think analytically and reason critically.

The Communication Studies major comprises the following concentrations (both of which are offered in-person or fully online):

  • The Applied Communication concentration allows students to gain expertise in organizational communication, advanced presentational speaking, professional writing and visual design. Students combine theoretical knowledge and technical skills while mastering professional tasks such as conducting training seminars, creating web content, designing promotional materials, managing communication campaigns and writing press releases.
  • The Communication Studies–General concentration features flexibility and choice. Students create a personalized plan of study tailored to their specific academic interests and career goals in areas such as global and intercultural communication, advocacy, social media, corporate communication and workplace consulting, presentational and motivational speaking, campaign design and more. This concentration is appropriate for those who have diverse academic interests. It permits students to take courses across the schools in the College of Communication and Information and provides space for electives that students could use to pursue a minor in another discipline.

Students may apply early to the following master's degree programs and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or coordinator of the college's International Study Programs.

Admissions for Communication Studies - B.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Display competence in verbal, nonverbal and written communication.
  2. Advocate courses of action to stimulate improved decision-making.
  3. Influence others through demonstrated presentational speaking skills.
  4. Communicate ethically.
  5. Foster inclusive dialogues and tailor messages that respect diversity, empower others and bring about social change.
  6. Articulate creative, effective and evidenced-based solutions to communication problems.
  7. Coordinate action, solve problems, foster well-being, engage in critical thinking and participate in civic life.
  8. Communicate effectively in a technological, multicultural and global society to bring about meaningful social change.
  9. Apply information and media literacy in an effective and ethical manner.

The program learning outcomes reflect the university's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, creativity and community outreach and engagement.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
COMM 15000INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
COMM 26000CRITICISM OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE (DIVD) (KHUM) 3
or COMM 35852 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
or COMM 35912 GENDER AND COMMUNICATION (DIVD)
or COMM 46605 COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN (DIVD)
COMM 34000DIFFICULT DECISIONS IN COMMUNICATION (WIC) 13
or COMM 45902 COMMUNICATION AND INFLUENCE (WIC)
COMM 45092INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (ELR) 23
or COMM 46091 SENIOR SEMINAR (ELR)
EMAT 10310MY STORY ON THE WEB 3
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)6
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
College of Communication and Information Core Electives, choose from the following:9
CCI 10095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 12001
PHOTOGRAPHY
CCI 40089
BRANDING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR ITALIAN LIFESTYLE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 40189
ITALIAN POP CULTURE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40289
ITALIAN CINEMA (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40389
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40489
MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 45089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 46089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
EMAT 25310
CREATIVE CODING
EMAT 33310
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
LIS 30010
INFORMATION FLUENCY IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND
MDJ 20001
MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS)
MDJ 21008
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES
UXD 20001
INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
VCD 13000
VISUAL DESIGN THINKING
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) 39
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 46
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional3
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 538
Concentrations
Choose from the following:18
Applied Communication
Communication Studies-General
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade is required in COMM 34000 or COMM 45902 to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement 

2

Students may apply a maximum of 6 credit hours of COMM 45092 toward their major requirements.

3

Students who take COMM 26000 will need to fulfill 6 credit hours of Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts. Students who do not take COMM 26000 will need to fulfill 9 credit hours of Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts.

4

Students who take MDJ 20001 to fulfill a College of Communication and Information Core Elective will need to fulfill 3 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences. Students who do not take MDJ 20001 will need to fulfill 6 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences.

5

A maximum of 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses may be applied toward the degree program.

Applied Communication Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
COMM 35864ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION 3
COMM 45807HIGH IMPACT PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING 3
VCD 47000VISUAL DESIGN FOR MEDIA 3
Communication and Information Interdisciplinary Electives, choose from the following:6
Any Communication and Information (CCI) course
Any Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) course
Any Library and Information Science (LIS) course
Any Media and Journalism (MDJ) course
Any User Experience Design (UXD) course
Any Visual Communication Design (VCD) course
Additional Concentration Elective, choose from the following:3
Any Communication and Information (CCI) course
Any Communication Studies (COMM) course
Any Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) course
Any Library and Information Science (LIS) course
Any Media and Journalism (MDJ) course
Any User Experience Design (UXD) course
Any Visual Communication Design (VCD) course
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18

Communication Studies-General Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
Communication Studies (COMM) Electives6
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)12
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
Roadmaps

Roadmaps

 

Applied Communication Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
College of Communication and Information Core Electives 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
COMM 26000
or COMM 35852
or COMM 35912
or COMM 46605
 CRITICISM OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE (DIVD) (KHUM)
or INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
or GENDER AND COMMUNICATION (DIVD)
or COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN (DIVD)
3
College of Communication and Information Core Electives 3
Communication and Information Interdisciplinary Electives 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Communication and Information Interdisciplinary Electives 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
VCD 47000 VISUAL DESIGN FOR MEDIA 3
College of Communication and Information Core Electives 3
Additional Concentration Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
EMAT 10310 MY STORY ON THE WEB 3
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
COMM 34000
or COMM 45902
 DIFFICULT DECISIONS IN COMMUNICATION (WIC)
or COMMUNICATION AND INFLUENCE (WIC)
3
General Electives 12
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
COMM 35864 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION 3
COMM 45807 HIGH IMPACT PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
COMM 45092
or COMM 46091
 INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (ELR)
or SENIOR SEMINAR (ELR)
3
General Electives 11
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Communication Studies-General Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
COMM 26000
or COMM 35852
or COMM 35912
or COMM 46605
 CRITICISM OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE (DIVD) (KHUM)
or INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
or GENDER AND COMMUNICATION (DIVD)
or COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN (DIVD)
3
Communication Studies (COMM) Elective 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
Communication Studies (COMM) Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
EMAT 10310 MY STORY ON THE WEB 3
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
COMM 34000
or COMM 45902
 DIFFICULT DECISIONS IN COMMUNICATION (WIC)
or COMMUNICATION AND INFLUENCE (WIC)
3
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
COMM 45092
or COMM 46091
 INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (ELR)
or SENIOR SEMINAR (ELR)
3
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
General Electives 8
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Fully online
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Full program
      • Kent Campus
      • Stark Campus
    • Applied Communication concentration only
      • Ashtabula Campus
      • East Liverpool Campus
      • Salem Campus
      • Trumbull Campus
      • Tuscarawas Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Communication Studies - B.A.

Meeting, convention, and event planners

7.8%

faster than the average

138,600

number of jobs

$51,560

potential earnings

Social and community service managers

17.0%

much faster than the average

175,500

number of jobs

$69,600

potential earnings

Public relations and fundraising managers

9.2%

much faster than the average

88,000

number of jobs

$118,430

potential earnings

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

17.7%

much faster than the average

738,100

number of jobs

$65,810

potential earnings

Additional Careers
  • Corporate Training/Human Resources
  • Project management
  • Organizational/community advocacy
  • Social media management
  • Corporate communications
  • Logistics
  • Marketing specialists
  • Arts, sports, and media
  • Labor/industrial relations
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Technical and Applied Studies - B.T.A.S.

Unlock your career potential with Kent State's Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies program. Designed for students with an associate degree or equivalent credits, this program provides a flexible path to earn a bachelor's degree and advance your career. Enroll now and take the first step toward achieving your professional goals.

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Program Information for Technical and Applied Studies - B.T.A.S.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies degree is a completer program designed for students with an associate degree or some college-level coursework who wish to matriculate into a bachelor's degree. The program accommodates varied educational backgrounds, develops competencies needed for success in a variety of work settings and offers flexibility and scheduling attractive to working students and to time- and place-bound adults.

The B.T.A.S. degree integrates the practical application of technical skills and knowledge with the professional skills instilled in a bachelor’s degree program. Students focus on career paths in technical and applied areas of specializations, leading to breadth and depth in a particular discipline.

The program provides a foundation for further graduate education and benefits students who need additional workplace and professional skills beyond their technical education with hands-on learning, experiential learning opportunities, internships and research projects. Employers are searching for professionals with a combination of technical expertise and business soft skills; this program provides the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to transition from student to professional.

Many associate degree programs at Kent State University align well with the B.T.A.S. degree.

Admissions for Technical and Applied Studies - B.T.A.S.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Students who wish to declare the B.T.A.S. degree must meet with an academic advisor prior to admission or changing their major to discuss their future academic and career goals and to develop an approved program of study. Ideally, students should begin the process for evaluation and program review at or near the time they have a minimum of 12 earned credit hours of college-level coursework.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

This degree program may not be earned as a double major or dual degree with another major and cannot be earned as an additional degree after another degree at the same or higher level has been earned previously.

This degree program may not be earned as a double major or dual degree with another major and cannot be earned as an additional degree after another degree at the same or higher level has been earned previously.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Interpret and communicate discipline specific information via written, verbal and/or visual or digital representations.
  2. Demonstrate effective written, oral and digital communication skills in multiple contexts, for a variety of audiences.
  3. Demonstrate application and evidence of skills and knowledge via presentation of artifacts in an electronic portfolio.
  4. Analyze ethical issues in the context of the profession or discipline to produce reasoned evaluations and solutions.
  5. Integrate applied skills and theoretical knowledge in a specific technical field with opportunities for experiential learning in a workplace environment.
  6. Develop self-awareness about identity and culture, diversity, sensitivity and respect for differences.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Program Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
TAS 37900TECHNICAL AND APPLIED STUDIES CORNERSTONE (min C grade) 23
TAS 40092INTERNSHIP FOR TECHNICAL AND APPLIED STUDIES (ELR) 13
TAS 47999TECHNICAL AND APPLIED STUDIES CAPSTONE (ELR) (WIC) (min C grade) 33
Additional Program Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Specialization Areas 436
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)38
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

The internship or practicum allows students to gain workplace skills and real-world experience in their chosen field. Students with prior work, internship, practicum, student teaching and/or field experience may be waived the internship/practicum requirement with approval by the program coordinator. Students may earn a maximum of 6 credit hours.

2

In TAS 37900, students construct a meaningful career management plan to explore and prepare for their preferred professional goals.

3

TAS 47999, taken near the end of the program, synthesizes learning and focuses on foundational competencies in the form of service or experiential learning, a discipline-specific research project and the development of an academic/career e-portfolio. A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

4

In collaboration with an advisor, students develop a plan of study for two to three specializations that draw on transferred, completed and available Kent State coursework. Students select from a flexible and robust core of skills- and knowledge-based courses - bridging multiple disciplines - to develop a tailored option to best benefit and further professional goals. A faculty member approves the student’s specializations to ensure they meet the student's needs. Two of the three specialization areas may be from the same discipline. One specialization must be distinct.

Progression Requirements

Students must meet with an advisor for a plan of study for each specialization. Any changes made to the program of study must also be approved by an advisor, or the student may not be allowed to graduate.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Fully online
    • Mostly online
    • In Person (Leavittsburg and Lisbon locations only)
  • Location:
    • Ashtabula Campus
    • East Liverpool Campus
    • Geauga Campus
    • Salem Campus
    • Stark Campus
    • Trumbull Campus
    • Tuscarawas Campus
    • Leavittsburg, Ohio 
    • Lisbon, Ohio

Honors Student Receives Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship

Photo of textiles in process by Honors student Gabrielle Volz

 Gabrielle (Gabby) Volz is a second year Kent State University Honors College student from Mansfield, Ohio, and a graduate of Lexington High School. She is the second recipient of the Dr. Elizabeth Howard scholarship, the recently established fund for Honors College students in memory of Elizabeth Howard, Ph.D., who was a prominent member of the Honors College community, as well as the Department of English.The recipient of the $1,000 scholarship is chosen to reflect the academic and creative interests of Professor Howard. Gabrielle is the perfect candidate this year to reflect Howard’s i...

Ready for a Major Exploration

Members of the College of Public Health meet at the Major/Minor Spotlight

With more than 370 majors to choose from at Kent State University, it can be overwhelming for some students to choose their major and career path. This October, the Exploratory Advising Center is hosting its first-ever Exploration Month to help students who haven't yet declared a major find their interests and explore the different majors and opportunities Kent State offers. “We work with our campus partners, the different colleges, offices, and resources across campus, to put on events and programs for our students,” said Jordan Edelman, director of the Exploratory Advising Center....

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