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Bachelor of Science in Communication

College of Arts and Sciences

Strong communication skills are vital in today’s workplace.
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As the U.S. economy continues to transition from goods-producing to service-providing employment, job candidates who have the ability to interact and communicate effectively with others—both interpersonally and through various forms of media—will be at a tremendous advantage. Service-providing industries are expected to account for approximately 18 million new wage and salary jobs generated over the decade ending in 2020.* Study to prepare for your role in this exciting industry by earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication at Kaplan University.

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Learn more about careers in communications including public relations. View our webinar to hear more from our faculty on this topic.

Program Highlights

Through a combination of theory and application, this program is designed to help you develop strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills applicable in any career field. The Bachelor of Science in Communication curriculum emphasizes:

  • Writing and speaking skills, group dynamics, team building, and resolving complex issues that arise in the workplace
  • Planning and developing dynamic, interactive multimedia presentations and websites
  • Understanding the effects of technology, government and industry regulation, and legal and ethical issues in communication
  • Utilizing new media and software applications most frequently used in business, institutional, and home environments

What Are the Career Opportunities?

This program is designed to prepare you to enter the fields of advertising, marketing, organizational communication, public relations, publishing, human resources, law, criminal justice, politics, public administration, ministry, social services, opinion and market research, fundraising, civil service, international business, and management.

Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Communication

Course # Course Title Credits
100/200-level 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE 5
100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE 5
100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE 5
200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
300/400-level 300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE 6
300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE
300/400-level 300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE 6
300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE
300/400-level 300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE 6
300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE
Course # Course Title Credits
CM 111 COMMUNICATION PROGRAM AND PROFESSION 5
COMMUNICATION PROGRAM AND PROFESSION
This course introduces students to the communication field and the Kaplan University Bachelor of Science in Communication degree program. The field of study, skill sets, and the process of commu-nication will be discussed. Students will research the communication degree and class offerings along with their professional and personal goals in order to map out their specific degree plan.
CM 115 COMMUNICATION-CONCEPTS AND SKILLS 5
COMMUNICATION-CONCEPTS AND SKILLS
Being able to communicate effectively in an information-based and globally connected society is a necessary and vital part of all professions. This course introduces basic communication skills, why intended messages often get misunderstood, how linguistic, cultural, gender, and social differences impact communication, and how to effectively and ethically use technology as a communication tool. Students will be introduced to the knowledge and skills necessary to understand communication and to effectively communicate in both professional and personal applications.
CM 202 MASS MEDIA AND BROADCASTING 5
MASS MEDIA AND BROADCASTING
This course examines the roles of creators, consumers, and advertisers in a variety of mass media industries, including print, radio, film, television, and the World Wide Web. Discussions focus on the effects of technological advancements, government and industry regulation, advertiser and consumer feedback, and economic factors on mass media in the professional world, as well as legal and ethical issues in mass communication and industry.
CM 206 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS 5
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
This course introduces students to the principles of interpersonal communication and emphasizes how to be a more effective communicator in professional and personal situations. Emphasis is on interpersonal communication in varying contexts, focusing on professional communication as well as personal, social, and cultural dimensions. Topics include the communication process, the influence of perception on communication, verbal and nonverbal elements of interaction, listening, the communication of emotions, conflict management, and effective communication strategies.
CM 208 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH SKILLS 5
COMMUNICATION RESEARCH SKILLS
This course introduces students to the research methods used in the communication field and provides an overview of both quantitative and qualitative processes and data analysis. The research process is explored from conception to completion and reporting the findings. Research challenges are discussed along with ethical con¬siderations. There is an emphasis on how research can be applied to a wide variety of communication questions and problems.
CM 214 PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL 5
PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL
This course provides students with practical advice and essential skills for public speaking in a variety of professional settings. Students will learn how to create presentations that are organized, well researched and persuasive. In addition to learning how to be effective oral communicators, students will explore how to address diverse audiences and analyze the impact of their communication in terms of persuasiveness, ethical considerations, and intended purpose. They will create and deliver presentations on diverse topics to an array of audiences and critique examples from professional speeches to understand what constitutes effective speaking.
CM 240 TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION 5
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
This course is an introduction to various writing formats and styles designed specifically to facilitate workplace communication. Students will study and practice audience analysis, and evaluate the components of successful business correspondence, technical reports, instructions, proposals, and presentations. Students create a portfolio of technical documents written for professional audiences, and demonstrate proficiency in technology and research, document design, and organization and writing style consistent with business and technical communication.
PS 124 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 5
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Students will be introduced to a range of topics that offer insight into human thought and actions, including what motivate us to study human behavior, ethical decisions, problem solving, and theories on memory, learning, intelligence, and personality. This course will highlight the use of critical thinking and the application of the concepts. In addition, it will draw on practical psychological concepts related to students' personal and professional relationships.
CM 305 COMMUNICATING IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY 6
COMMUNICATING IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate in a multicultural society. Students will analyze linguistic, cultural, and social differences and their impact on communication. The course will also address barriers to communication as well as the skills and concepts needed for effective communication outside of one's primary culture.
CM 310 COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT 6
COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT
This course focuses on the nature of communication and conflict in interpersonal and organizational contexts. Students learn to apply theories of conflict and conflict resolution with an emphasis on ways to manage conflict in order to create more productive and satisfying interpersonal and professional relationships.
CM 313 TOOLS FOR THE DIGITAL AGE 6
TOOLS FOR THE DIGITAL AGE
This course introduces students to the concepts necessary for effectively using new technologies and digital tools. By applying these concepts to the communication context (purpose, audience), students will be able to decide what tools are most appropriate. Students will also practice using a variety of digital tools and new technologies and reflect on how they affect communication.
CM 315 GROUP DYNAMICS AND TEAM BUILDING 6
GROUP DYNAMICS AND TEAM BUILDING
Group dynamics and team building come into play whether working together as a team of professional colleagues or as a family. This course is designed to help students learn to communicate effectively and ethically in different group settings. By participating in real-world group projects, students will critically examine how members of a team can successfully interact, collaborate, and make decisions. Students also will reflect on their personal role in the group process.
CM 405 COMMUNICATING PERSUASIVELY 6
COMMUNICATING PERSUASIVELY
Students will explore the role of persuasion in various communication contexts. They will analyze the factors that lead to the adoption of an idea, attitude, or action and the role of emotional appeal, credibility, and language in this process. The concepts and theories studied in the course will be applied to crafting persuasive messages appropriate for different contexts.
CM 410 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION 6
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
This course focuses on the foundation, study, and implementation of effective organizational communication. Different theories will be identified, discussed, and critiqued. Students will study the major components of organizational communication including leadership, conflict and conflict management, teamwork, and ethics. Additionally, students will read and critique case studies showing organizational communication in professional applications.
CM 460 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION 6
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Rhetoric is the art of composing and analyzing effective discourse. Students will study rhetori¬cal principles and apply them to the processes of analyzing and producing discourse in a variety of contexts. Using rhetorical principles, students will evaluate the effectiveness of discourse for particular purposes and audiences. In addition to analyzing discourse, students will apply the principles they are learning to their own discourse and to the process of creating meaning in a variety of contexts.
CM 499 BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN COMMUNICATION 6
BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN COMMUNICATION
This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Communication. This course builds on the concepts of all the courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework in an original comprehensive project, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.
Course # Course Title Credits
OPEN ELECTIVES 59
OPEN ELECTIVES
Total Program Requirements 180
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.


Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour $371.00
Total program requirements Bachelor of Science in Communication 180
Total cost of tuition $66,780.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. 
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* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Projections Overview, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/projections-overview.htm. (Accessed April, 2012) National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.