Overview

You know that excellent storytelling is key to effective communication. That’s why you’re drawn to this bachelor’s program from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) where you can earn a degree in communication with a digital journalism and media emphasis — entirely online. Here, you will learn the craft of storytelling from seasoned professionals and gain hands-on experience in researching, writing and sharing content in a variety of digital environments, including social media. Learn to manage a fast-paced editorial calendar for a variety of media and take on diverse topics, while you discover new ways to make your stories and ideas stand out online.

The UMKC 100% online bachelor’s in communication with a digital journalism and media emphasis is a unique opportunity to attain an undergraduate degree, even while working full time. Take courses tailored for busy professionals like you. Work with faculty and fellow students who understand the challenges of juggling school with other responsibilities. You’ll graduate with competitive skills in digital content creation that can help you advance in your current job or launch a new career. Don’t miss this chance to transform your passion for storytelling into the future you already see for yourself.

Program Structure

Delivery of this program is 100% online: no campus visits are required. Courses are semester-based. Students typically take three to four classes each semester and finish in three to four years.

Course work includes:

• Introduction to journalism
• Introduction: modern communications media
• Fundamentals of effective speaking and listening
• Introduction to and intermediate academic prose
• Civic and urban engagement
• Critical thinking in arts and humanities

Available Courses

The courses in this program are online and offered both synchronously and asynchronously. Synchronous courses occur at regularly scheduled times. Asynchronous courses do not have regular meetings. They may often consist of various media and content — such as online discussions, videos, worksheets and recordings — that students review and complete independently each week.

COMM-ST 110 Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening is offered synchronously, meaning there is a scheduled meeting time.

Successful completion of the program requires 120 credit hours of course work, which may include transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions.

Internship or capstone requirement

This program requires you to complete either a capstone course or an internship. Visit our internships and career preparation page for more information on internships.

Course planner

The chart below shows the courses offered in the program. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The university reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed.

Course planner

The chart below shows the courses offered in this program. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The university reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for the most up-to-date list of courses.

UMKC Essentials (27 credit hours)
GEFSE First Semester Experience
GECRT-AH Critical Thinking in Arts & Humanities
GECRT-SC Critical Thinking in Natural & Physical Sciences
GECRT-SS Critical Thinking in Social & Behavioral Sciences
GECDV Culture & Diversity Course
GECUE Civic & Urban Engagement Course
Written Communication (6 credit hours)
ENGLISH 110 English I: Introduction to Academic Prose
ENGLISH 225 English II: Intermediate Academic Prose
Math Pathway (3 credit hours) Choose one of the following:
MATH 116 Mathematics For Liberal Arts
STAT 115 Statistical Reasoning
MATH 110 Precalculus Algebra
MATH 120 Precalculus
Any 200-level MATH or STAT course
ACT Math Sub-score of 28 or higher; or SAT Math Sub-score of 660 or higher

Constitution Course Requirement (3 credit hours)
Choose one of the following:
CJC 364 The Supreme Court and the Criminal Process
HISTORY 101 U.S. History to 1877
HISTORY 102 U.S. History Since 1877
HONORS 230 Honors American Government
POL-SCI 210 American Government

School of Humanities and Social Sciences Degree Requirements Writing Intensive Course (300-level or above; satisfied in major requirements below)
Department's Core Courses (6 credit hours)
COMM-ST 110 Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening (satisfies Oral Communication requirement)
COMM-ST 483 Research Seminar In Communication Studies OR COMM-ST 484 Internship
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
COMM-ST 203 Introduction to Journalism
COMM-ST 220 Introduction: Modern Communications Media
COMM-ST 484 Internship
Digital Journalism and Media Electives (18 credit hours) Students must select six of the courses which includes at least one WI course
COMM-ST 311 Broadcast and Digital Media Presenting
COMM-ST 316 Health, Science and Environmental Reporting
COMMST-ST 324 Journalism and Visual Storytelling in the Age of Data
COMM-ST 341WI Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
COMM-ST 351WI Fundamentals of Writing for the Media
COMM-ST 353 Covering Urban Latinx Communities
COMM-ST 376 Digital Games and Society
COMM-ST 383 Cross-Cultural Journalism & Mass Media
COMM-ST 387 Strategic Communication Research
COMM-ST 388 Media Ethics
COMM-ST 446 Principles of Advertising
COMM-ST 447 Interactive and Social Media Advertising
COMM-ST 484 Internship

State Authorization

States require that the University of Missouri-Kansas City be authorized to deliver university-level distance/online education to their residents. Each state handles this process differently.

Please see our state authorization page for more information.

Authorized with stipulations

Students residing in these states may be eligible to enroll in this program, but certain stipulations exist.

• Colorado

How to Apply

Fulfill the admission requirements

For freshmen

• Official test scores, like ACT or SAT, if applicable.
  • Freshman applicants also have the option of being reviewed with or without test scores, please see the Freshman Application Process for more information.
• Completed 17 specific high school courses with good grades.
• For a list of test scores and high school courses, review the Freshman Application Process.

For transfer students

• General admission GPA requirements.
• Official test scores, like ACT or SAT, if applicable.

Review additional Transfer Application Process.

Required documents

• Citizenship, residency and visa information (if applicable)
• Names and locations of previous college or high school and dates you attended
• Transcripts

Complete the online application

• Domestic application fee: No application fee. All new undergraduate, domestic, first-time college students can apply without paying an application fee.
• International application fee: $75.00

Note: If you were ever enrolled at UMKC as a degree-seeking student, you do not need to resubmit the general UMKC application fee.

Application fee waiver questions: Contact UMKC Office of Admissions with questions via 816-235-8652 or 1-800-775-8652 or admissions@umkc.edu. 

Apply to UMKC

Program Contact

Ye Wang Chair and Professor Phone: 816-235-2735 Email: wanye@umkc.edu

Tuition and Fees

These estimates are for illustrative purposes only and are based on academic year 2025-2026 information. They include:

• General Education Program Rate of $411.20 per credit hour for 60 hours
• Academic Program Rate of $411.20 per credit hour for 60 hours
• Online course fee of $58.50 per credit hour for 120 hours

These estimates are for illustrative purposes only and are based on academic year 2025-2026 information. They include:

• Academic Program Rate of $411.20 per credit hour for 60 hours
• Online course fee of $58.50 per credit hour for 60 hours