Communication — Professional Communication Emphasis
Quick Facts
Degree
Bachelor of arts
Delivery Mode
100% Online
Standard credit hours
120
Standard estimated cost
$53,814.00
Transfer credit hours
60
Transfer estimated cost
$26,907.00
TYPICAL COURSE LOAD
3-4 courses per semester
TYPICAL PROGRAM LENGTH
3-4 years
*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
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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.
Career Prospects
Professional communication students find employment in many fields within media, communications and beyond. Graduates can create their own paths applicable to many industries.
Potential job titles include:
Recruiter
Event planner
Client service or client support
Community engagement
Campaign manager
Program manager
Fundraiser
$54,000
Median salary
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
Accreditation
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
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.
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.
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 277 Interpersonal Communication
COMM-ST 308 Introduction To The Study Of Human Communication
COMM-ST 341WI Rhetorical Theory And Criticism
Professional Communication (3 credit hours) Select one of the following not already completed in another area:
COMM-ST 387 Strategic Communication Research
COMM-ST 444WI Intercultural Communication
Public Communication (3 credit hours) Select one of the following not already completed in another area:
COMM-ST 317 Persuasive Communication
COMM-ST 446 Principles of Advertising
COMM-ST 484 Internship
Professional and Public Electives (12 credit hours) Select four of the following not already completed in another area.
COMM-ST 317 Persuasive Communication
COMM-ST 344 Organizational Communication
COMM-ST 376 Digital Games and Society
COMM-ST 387 Strategic Communication Research
COMM-ST 400 Special Studies
COMM-ST 446 Principles of Advertising
COMM-ST 447 Interactive and Social Media Advertising
COMM-ST 484 Internship
COMM-ST 498 Independent Study
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.
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.
This program accepts rolling admissions, so you can apply at any time. We recommend you submit your application at least six weeks before the beginning of the term in which you wish to start your course work.
To start classes in fall Apply by: June 15 (Classes begin in August)
To start classes in spring Apply by: Nov. 15 (Classes begin in January)
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.
