*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’re an analytical thinker, and you love to connect with people. That’s why you’re drawn to this 100% online bachelor’s in communication from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), focused on strategic communication. This degree will let you turn your passion for reaching diverse audiences into a high-demand skill set. In this 100% online program, you can earn your undergraduate degree even while working full time. The course work has been developed for students who may be juggling various responsibilities, and the pace is yours to set.
Through UMKC’s online program, you will hone your strategic thinking and communication abilities for multiple industries. You’ll develop knowledge of different modes of communication, and understand better where and when to use them. You’ll know when a message works and how to build on past success. It doesn’t matter whether you join a small business or a large corporation, excellent communicators are valued. Upon graduation, your skills in writing, speaking and presenting complex ideas to different audiences, will give you a competitive edge. Advance in your career, or strike out on a new path. With a strategic communication bachelor of arts from UMKC, your future awaits.
Career Prospects
Strategic 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:
Digital and social media strategist
Marketing executive
Advertising director
SEO manager
Public relations coordinator
8%
Employment growth
$62,800
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:
Strategic communication research
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, 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.
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 203 Introduction to Journalism OR COMM-ST 220 Introduction: Modern Communications Media
COMM-ST 317 Persuasive Communication OR
COMM-ST 446 Principles Of Advertising OR COMM-ST 448 Principles Of Public Relations
COMM-ST 387 Strategic Communication Research
Strategic Communication Electives (18 credit hours) Students must select six of the courses which includes at least one WI course
COMM-ST 388 Media Ethics
COMM-ST 446 Principles of Advertising (if not taken above)
COMM-ST 317 Persuasive Communication (if not taken above)
COMM-ST 341WI Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
COMM-ST 203 Introduction to Journalism (if not taken above)
COMM-ST 220 Introduction: Modern Communications Media (if not taken above)
COMM-ST 311 Broadcast and Digital Media Presenting
COMMST-ST 324 Journalism and Visual Storytelling in the Age of Data
COMM-ST 344 Organizational Communication
COMM-ST 351WI Fundamentals of Writing for the Media
COMM-ST 376 Digital Games and Society
COMM-ST 447 Interactive and Social Media Advertising
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 application 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.
