Communication, BS
Curious about how communication really works? Explore the science behind how people share ideas and influence one another while you gain research and technical skills that prepare you for any career.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or any math course that meets the MATH designation
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Communication degree description
The Bachelor of Science program in communication is a versatile offering that you can tailor to your personal and career goals.
Working closely with award-winning faculty, you explore intercultural, relational and professional communication as you gain experience connecting people in local and global spheres to build strong communities. You learn to communicate creatively by studying media, culture and narrative to influence and inspire various audiences. You also learn to advocate for yourself and others by researching ethics, social issues and persuasion to promote positive change.
Why study communication at ASU?
In the communication program, you pair the science of human behavior with practical communication skills, learning to research, analyze and solve complex communication challenges. You learn about persuasive communication, leadership, conflict resolution, public speaking and collaboration. Unlike programs centered mainly on media production or messaging, you customize your studies in community and culture, media or strategic communication.
Put your learning into practice through CommLab ASU, the only accredited communication center by the National Association of Communication Centers in the state of Arizona. You gain hands-on experience supporting communication projects and developing professional skills.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| COM 100 Introduction to Human Communication |
| COM 207 Critical Thinking and Writing in Communication |
| COM 225 Public Speaking and Presentations |
| COM 230 Teamwork and Collaboration |
| COM 308 Communication Research Strategies |
| COM 309 Rhetorical, Interpretive, and Critical Methods in Communication |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Explain how core communication theories relate to communication across interpersonal, organizational, and mediated contexts.
- Design communication materials appropriate for specific goals, contexts, and audiences.
- Interpret communication research by noting methodological strengths and weaknesses.
Explain how core communication theories relate to communication across interpersonal, organizational, and mediated contexts. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Studying abroad enables students in the communication program to improve language and cross-cultural skills for effective communication, develop critical teamwork and problem-solving skills, and expand their knowledge of the liberal arts through lenses of different cultures.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Students in these programs build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network. Participation in a study abroad program provides students with the heightened cultural competency and strengthened leadership and critical thinking skills that enhance their resumes and help them stand out in a competitive career field. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences can explore how their varied fields and interests interact in different settings around the world.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Training Manager | 6.4% | $133,000 | Learn more |
| Human Resources Manager | 5.5% | $149,280 | Learn more |
| Lawyer | 4.7% | $159,670 | Learn more |
| Marketing Associate | -3.7% | $133,660 | Learn more |
| Marketing Manager | 6.9% | $166,790 | Learn more |
| Mediator | 4.7% | $75,530 | Learn more |
| Public Relations Manager (PR Manager) | 5.7% | $146,910 | Learn more |
| Public Relations Specialist | 1.8% | $74,750 | Learn more |
| Sales Manager | 4.5% | $148,270 | Learn more |
| Technical Writer | 0.8% | $90,390 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this communication degree prepares you for
Graduates have been trained in effective communication skills; are able to speak and write well; can convey complex ideas effectively; and are able to perform various forms of data analysis, communication assessment and technical reporting. They are prepared for employment in communication-intensive fields in business, media, technology, government, nonprofit and educational sectors, and for further graduate study in the social sciences, law, humanities and management.
Graduates pursue careers in a variety of fields, such as digital content creation, public relations, law practice, sales and marketing, customer experience management, strategic communication and nonprofit advocacy. They can work in communications-focused fields such as:
- advertising
- community education
- corporate communications
- crisis management
- customer service and customer relations
- health communication
- human resources management
- media and public relations
- new media
- social media
- training and development
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
FAB N101
SBSadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
