Overview

You have a gift for making connections. Now, you can transform that talent into a high-demand skill set with a 100% online bachelor’s in communication from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), focused on professional communication. In this program, you can earn your undergraduate degree even while working full time. The course work has been developed for students who may be juggling a variety of responsibilities.

Through UMKC, you will connect with instructors within a diverse learning community to hone your communication ability for a multitude of industries. It doesn’t matter whether you work for a small business or a large corporation, clear communication is fundamental to success. Upon graduation, your skills in writing, speaking and presenting complex ideas to various audiences will make you a valuable asset to employers everywhere. Advance in your career, or strike out on a new path. With a communications degree from UMKC, opportunities await.

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:

• Interpersonal communication
• Introduction to the study of human communication
• Fundamentals of effective speaking and listening
• Introduction to and intermediate academic prose
• Culture and diversity
• 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 consist of various media and content — such as online discussions, videos, worksheets and recordings — that you review and complete independently each week.

COMM-ST 110 Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening is offered synchronously, which means 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.

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.

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