K
  • Note: For certain locations, program enrollment is onsite with online instruction.

  • This program is offered online.

  • Bachelor of Science in Communication

    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.

    Bachelor of Science in Communication 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 
    In addition, the faculty in our communication courses sometimes provide feedback to students through hotlinks to relevant video clips, web links, and digital resources.

    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.† 

    Advanced Start Degree Option

    If you already have an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university and are interested in pursuing a career that requires the ability to effectively articulate and convey ideas, concepts, and information, our advanced start program can help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Communication in as little as two years.‡ 

  • Kaplan University offers multiple start dates, giving you greater flexibility with your education, life, and work schedules.

    Jul 31

    Online Start Date
    Jul 31, 2013

    Oct 16

    Online Start Date
    Oct 16, 2013

    View the Academic Calendar

  • Curriculum: Standard Track

    Core

    CM 107: COLLEGE COMPOSITION I (5 Credits)

    Students will learn how to communicate effectively in their professional field using various writing styles. Students will also identify and further develop their own writing process. Grammar and mechanics will be reviewed, helping students focus on the areas that will improve their writing.

    Prerequisites Required: Any Academic Strategies course or any Eight Skills of the Effective Student course

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 220: COLLEGE COMPOSITION II (5 Credits)

    This course helps students apply research and critical thinking skills to develop effective arguments. Students will create professional writings, incorporating post-draft revision strategies, working constructively with colleagues.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I course

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CS 204: PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE (3 Credits)

    This course introduces students to multidisciplinary techniques and concepts pertinent to lifelong career development and professionalism. Students explore career planning as a strategy and professionalism as a method in order to pursue employment interests and career goals. Concepts include various professional communication skills appropriate for the global workplace, interpersonal relationship management, professional behavior, financial decision making, marketability, and using proper technologies to manage professional identities. 

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    SS 236: PEOPLE, POWER, AND POLITICS-AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (5 Credits)

    The purpose of this introductory-level American government course is to provide students with crucial knowledge about how government works and about how they, as individual citizens, fit within that system. Focus is on the rights and obligations of citizens under the democratic political system established under the U.S. Constitution; the branches and levels of government; and the role of the media. This fundamental knowledge combined with critical thinking skills will be valuable personally and professionally.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I course

    SS 211: THE 1960S—RESHAPING THE AMERICAN DREAM (5 Credits)

    This course will take an in-depth look at the 1960s as a significant era in American history. Adopting multiple perspectives, we will explore the societal impact of such issues as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the Countercultural, Civil Rights, and Feminist Movements, the advent of the birth control pill, and many others. Through exploring the music, political climate, and advancements in technology and medicine of this historical era, we will discover how our individual lives and society as a whole were forever changed.

    Prerequisites Required: Any college composition course

    SS 250: THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION—A SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC APPROACH (5 Credits)

    This is a social science survey course that will examine science and technology from a variety of social science disciplines including sociology, psychology, history, political science, anthropology, and economics. The use of science and technology has been a driving force behind all of human history, and even more so today. This course will take an interactive approach to study the relationship between humanity and technology throughout time and across the globe.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I Course

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    SC 200: DISCOVERING SCIENCE—CURRENT ISSUES IN A CHANGING WORLD (5 Credits)

    This course is designed to introduce students to some of the most important concepts in science including inheritance, energy, randomness, and measurement. In addition, the course will give students a chance to explore the human aspects of science: how people put science into practice, how societies think about scientific findings, and why science depends on ethical practices. Knowledge gained in the course will help inform further study in many disciplines and will help students better understand how science affects their personal and professional lives.

    SC 246: FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY (5 Credits)

    Fundamentals of Microbiology will review basic microbial cell structure, function, and genetics. The role of microorganisms and their affect on humans and the environment will also be explained. Aspects of medical and public health will be emphasized, as will bacterial and viral diseases, parasites, immunology, and epidemiology. Course material and labs are directly relevant to studies in health sciences, biological sciences, nursing, and genetics.

    SC 235: GENERAL BIOLOGY I-HUMAN PERSPECTIVES (5 Credits)

    In this introduction to biology, students will explore the living world of humans. The course emphasizes the processes of life from the molecular work of genes and proteins to human organ systems, all the way up to food webs and overpopulation. Practical applications of biology in everyday life are stressed throughout the course. No prior study of biology is required to enroll in this nonmajors course.

    SC 250: SCIENCE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE (5 Credits)

    Science for Everyday Life is designed to help students recognize the importance of science as it impacts their daily lives in so many different ways. In this course, students will explore different rooms within a typical home and discover what role science plays as they investigate areas such as their kitchen and bathroom, the garden, and even the impact science has on their families and pets. The knowledge gained in this course will help garner a new appreciation for the science applications already around us and how to interpret the strengths and weaknesses of

    information streaming in from various sources.

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    HU 200: CRITICAL EVALUATION IN THE HUMANITIES (5 Credits)

    In this course, students will explore the impact of creative expression on cultures from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. By studying examples from the arts and humanities, students investigate how humans have the potential to shape history. Students develop skills to evaluate and analyze forms of creative expression, and discover how to apply these skills to their career goals, community, and daily experience.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition course

    HU 245: ETHICS (5 Credits)

    In this course, students develop sound ethical reasoning and judgment through the study of practical applications of ethical theories. Topics studied include ethics as it relates to business, health care, society, and the environment. Emphasis is on practical applications of ethical principles and analytical methods.

    Prerequisites Required: CM  220

    HU 250: HUMANITIES AND CULTURE (5 Credits)

    This course is a survey of human social and cultural life through an introduction to humanist theories and historical subject matter. Beginning with village settlement and the rise of cities and ending with the development of modern nations, students study the expression of human ideas and traditions through material and nonmaterial culture. Through readings and discussions, students are introduced to humanist studies and learn to appreciate cultural continuity and change as defining characteristics of the human experience.

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    MM 212: COLLEGE ALGEBRA (5 Credits)

    This course covers topics of algebra, including linear functions, equations, and inequalities, systems of equations in two variables, polynomial functions, rational and radical equations and inequalities, exponential and logarithmic functions, ratios, proportions, variation, and graphing.

    MM 150: SURVEY OF MATHEMATICS (5 Credits)

    Students will improve their background in mathematical concepts and skills utilizing real-world scenarios to solve math problems. Students will also enhance their own knowledge by demonstrating the ability to explain and interpret concepts, which is a valued skill in many fields. The topics may include sets, variables, measurement, and statistics.

    Total Core Credits: 33
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Major

    CM 111: COMMUNICATION PROGRAM AND PROFESSION (5 Credits)

    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 communication 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.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 115: COMMUNICATION-CONCEPTS AND SKILLS (5 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 202: MASS MEDIA AND BROADCASTING (5 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I course

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 206: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS (5 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 107

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 208: COMMUNICATION RESEARCH SKILLS (5 Credits)

    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 considerations. There is an emphasis on how research can be applied to a wide variety of communication questions and problems.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 115

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 214: PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL (5 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I course

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 240: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION (5 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 107

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    PS 124: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (5 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 305: COMMUNICATING IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY (6 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 310: COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 220

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 313: TOOLS FOR THE DIGITAL AGE (6 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 315: GROUP DYNAMICS AND TEAM BUILDING (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 220 and a 100/200-level communication elective

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 405: COMMUNICATING PERSUASIVELY (6 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 410: ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 220

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 460: STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION (6 Credits)

    Rhetoric is the art of composing and analyzing effective discourse. Students will study rhetorical 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.

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    CM 499: BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN COMMUNICATION (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of the final term of the Bachelor of Science in Communication or permission from the program Dean

    Total Major Credits: 88
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Electives

    OPEN ELECTIVES (59 Credits)

    Total Electives Credits: 59
    Total Program Credits: 180

    Prior Degree

    Total Prior Degree Credits (90 Credits)

    Total Prior Degree Credits: 90
    Total Program Credits: 90

    *Comparability is determined by a course-by-course examination of the prior associate's or bachelor's degree against the core requirements of a Kaplan University associate’s degree.

    Prerequisites

    CM 115: COMMUNICATION-CONCEPTS AND SKILLS (5 Credits)

    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.

    Total Prerequisites Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 206: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS (5 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 107

    Total Prerequisites Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 214: PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL (5 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: Any College Composition I course

    Total Prerequisites Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Core

    200 LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    200 LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    200 LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    200 LEVEL: PROFESSIONALISM AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT COURSE (3 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 18
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Major

    CM 305: COMMUNICATING IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY (6 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 310: COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 220

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 313: TOOLS FOR THE DIGITAL AGE (6 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 315: GROUP DYNAMICS AND TEAM BUILDING (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 220 and a 100/200-level communication elective

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 405: COMMUNICATING PERSUASIVELY (6 Credits)

    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.

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 410: ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: CM 220

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 460: STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION (6 Credits)

    Rhetoric is the art of composing and analyzing effective discourse. Students will study rhetorical 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.

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    CM 499: BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN COMMUNICATION (6 Credits)

    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.

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of the final term of the Bachelor of Science in Communication or permission from the program Dean

    Total Major Credits: 48
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Electives

    OPEN ELECTIVES (24 Credits)

    Total Electives Credits: 24
    Total Program Credits: 90

    Tuition & Fees: Standard Track

    The 25% tuition reduction applies only to international students living outside of the United States. This discount does not apply to military students. Please check with your advisor to see if you are eligible. 

    The 25% tuition reduction applies only to international students living outside of the United States. This discount does not apply to military students. Please check with your advisor to see if you are eligible. 

    Standard Track Online &
    Learning Center     		Campus
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    Tuition and Fees

    Some programs have additional associated fees that are not included in the price of tuition. Click here or check with an Admissions Advisor for more information. 

    Learn More about Kaplan University Tuition and Fees  

    Notice to Learning Center Students

    Kaplan University Learning Center students will only complete a portion of this program on site. You will need to complete at least 50% of the program requirements online, or through transfer credit awarded via prior learning assessment. If you have any questions about these requirements, please speak with an admissions advisor.

    Scholarships and Grants

    Learn more about grants and Kaplan University Scholarships and that may help reduce the cost of your education.

    Kaplan University tuition reductions (including active-duty, spouse, and veterans military tuition rates; scholarships; grants; vouchers; and alumni and alliance reductions) cannot be combined. 

    Tuition Rates for Military Students and Spouses

    Kaplan University has significantly reduced many of our tuition rates and fees for active-duty servicemembers, their spouses, and veterans. Click here for more information.
     

  • Some states have additional curricular requirements. Check the University Catalog or speak with an Admissions Advisor.

  • * 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 cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

    ‡ Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and credits considered to be remedial, occupational, or specialized may not be accepted for transfer. Average completion time based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete. Refer to the University Catalog for our Transfer of Credit policy.

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