Named an “Apple Distinguished School” for 2021-2024
Ranked a “Best National University” for 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
Online Bachelor’s in Communication Program Guide
Prepare for the growing communication industry and build skills to become digitally savvy.
At Maryville University, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication online that gives you access to key digital tools, modern employer insights, and direct experience delivering results for actual clients. It’s designed to help you adapt and advance, with customized options to help you succeed as a modern content strategist.
Start your journey
At a glance
Apply with no application fee and no SAT/ACT scores required.
Access 100% online coursework and practice using popular digital tools.
Complete an internship to gain experience in a digital media setting.
Choose from two concentrations to develop your desired skill set.
Earn real-world certifications from Amazon, Salesforce, Google, and Hubspot.
Connect to a faculty of communication experts and work on contemporary client-based projects.
Curriculum
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Maryville’s online Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication is a 128-credit curriculum that includes general education courses(42 credits), communication major core courses (27 credits), communication concentration courses (24 credits), and general electives (35 credits). During your studies, you will also complete research, an internship, and a writing portfolio.
Communication Major Courses
Our core curriculum gives you a foundational view of the field that’s captured from all angles. Take courses in contemporary communication, visual communication, organizational communication, digital media, and research methods. Of course, it’s not enough to be a generalist in today’s ever-changing media landscape. That’s why our curriculum is designed for you to choose a concentration and position yourself as a specialist in the competitive workforce.
Core Communication Curriculum
- COMM 121 Introduction to Contemporary Communication
- COMM 141 Introduction to Writing for Communication and Media
- COMM 233 Digital Media II
- COMM 223 Professional and Organizational Communication
- COMM 231 Introduction to Digital Media
- COMM 232 Introduction to New and Social Media
- COMM 321 Communication Research Methods
- COMM 345 Critical Approaches to Communication
- COMM 422 Global Communication
Emerging Media Strategy and Social Media Concentration Curriculum
Required courses include COMM 327, COMM 390, COMM 416, and COMM 499. Select one pair: COMM 481, COMM 494, COMM 482, or COMM 483
- COMM 327 Social Media Campaigns
- COMM 390 Website Design
- COMM 416 Issues and Crisis Management
- COMM 499 Internship
- COMM 481 E-Media & Digital Writing
- COMM 494 Portfolio Defense
- COMM 482 E-Media & Digital Writing Campaigns 1
- COMM 483 E-Media & Digital Writing Campaigns 2
Strategic Communication Concentration Curriculum
Required courses include COMM 251, COMM 347, COMM 363, or COMM 499. Select one pair: COMM 471, COMM 494, COMM 472, or COMM 473.
- COMM 251 Principles of Strategic Communication
- COMM 347 Strategic Communication Writing
- COMM 363 Strategic Communication Research & Strategy
- COMM 499 Internship
- COMM 471 Strategic Communication Campaigns
- COMM 494 Portfolio Defense
- COMM 472 Strategic Communication Campaigns I
- COMM 473 Strategic Communication II
To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry demands. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.
Admission requirements
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA for freshman applications: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale*
- Minimum GPA for college or university transfer applicants: 2.0 on a 4.0 scale*
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended
- Official high school transcripts (required for applications with fewer than 60 transfer hours from a regionally accredited school)
- No standardized tests required
Transfer credit policy
- Only credits from regionally accredited institutions will be considered for transfer
- A maximum of 68 credits from a two-year college or 98 credits from a four-year college will be considered and evaluated for transfer
- The student must take a minimum of 30 credit hours through Maryville University in order to complete a degree program
- The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University
*Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be considered for provisional admission.
Explore our additional resources to help guide your admission journey.
Accreditation and rankings
Why Maryville Online?
We’ve been progressively challenging the norms of higher education for nearly 150 years. We started as one of the first universities to educate women. Today, we continue to push the boundaries and prepare students like you for a digital world. At Maryville, we understand what it takes to step beyond your comfort zone.
Maryville University is a nationally ranked private college recognized for comprehensive and innovative education focused on student learning, outcomes, and success — both online and on campus. We’re located just 22 miles from downtown St. Louis.
Early Access program
Did you know that Maryville undergraduates can qualify for graduate-level credits? Once you are accepted – and you have not yet completed your elective requirements — we invite you to explore Early Access as an option.
Through Early Access, you can get a head start on earning a graduate degree by taking master’s-level courses that count toward your undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduate-level Early Access courses are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate — so you can save time and money.
You can learn more at our Early Access page.
Start your journey today
Learn more about the Maryville University online bachelor’s in communication.