Of CSU Grads Land Jobs Related to Their Career Plans
95%
Of Online Undergraduate Students Would Choose CSU Again
$52K
Average Starting Salary of Recent CSU Grads
Degree Overview
Learn more about three key areas of focus in CSU's fully online bachelor's degree in Communication Studies.
Build the skills to become an effective communicator
Develop a comprehensive understanding of how people respond to various forms of communication and engage in public discourse. This online bachelor’s program is designed to build your proficiency in three specific areas:
Media and visual culture
Relational and organizational studies
Rhetoric and civic engagement
Collaborate with your peers as you hone oral, written, nonverbal, visual, and digital communication skills, giving you a strong foundation of knowledge and a springboard to pursue a wide variety of potential career paths.
What you will learn
The field of communication is diverse, highly versatile, and a critical component of every organization and industry. Dive deeply into the strategy, theory, history, criticism, and analysis of communication as you study topics such as:
Intercultural approaches to communication
How communication is used to build public culture
Communication in personal relationships and organizations
The history and theory of rhetoric
Public speaking and argumentation
Customize your education to fit your goals
In addition to foundational coursework, working with your advisor, you will customize your learning experience by choosing an interdisciplinary certificate, second major, or one of several offered minors, including but not limited to the following:
Anthropology
Business Administration
Economics
Global and Environmental Sustainability
Political Science
*Media Studies Minor is excluded
Note: You must complete a minor, second major, or interdisciplinary certificate to earn this degree.
Study in a flexible, online format
Earn your bachelor's degree from a respected, regionally accredited public research university in Colorado without traveling to a campus. Although the program is entirely online, you will still have opportunities to interact closely with both your instructors and peers. You will also have access to many of the same resources and services as CSU’s resident students.
Requirements and Curriculum
Requirements to Graduate
A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this degree. This includes:
42 upper-division (300 and 400-level) credits
30 upper-division credits completed through Colorado State University
The number of courses needed for completion of the program depends on:
The curriculum listed below is intended to inform prospective students about the overall theme of the program and should not be used as an example program of study. Students need to consult their advisor to develop a degree completion plan based on the credits transferred into this program. You have the option to use the Transferology website to conduct a self-review of your potential transfer courses. This tool will assist you in seeing how your previous college coursework may transfer to CSU. Please note, new online courses are in development to provide additional choices.
Select All University Core Curriculum (AUCC) (31 credits): Students are strongly encouraged to select AUCC courses in consultation with their academic advisor.
Communication Studies Core Curriculum (18 credits): The following courses are required for the Communication Studies degree.
Select Additional SPCM Courses (27 credits): Select a total of 27 credits of SPCM subject code. Students must take either SPCM 341, SPCM 350, or SPCM 420. Courses with an (*) will be available in the near future.
Select Additional Arts and Humanities Credits (6 credits): Select six credits from the following subject codes: ART, D, E, ETST, L***, MU, PHIL, TH, or WS. No more than one WS course can be counted toward the completion of this requirement.
Select Additional History Credits (6 credits): Select six additional credits from courses with a HIST subject code.
Select Additional Social and Behavioral Sciences Credits (6 Credits): Select a total of six credits from the following: AREC 202, GR 100, courses with subject codes ANTH, ECON, ETST, HIST, JTC, POLS, PSY, SOC, or WS. No more than one WS course can be counted toward the completion of this requirement.
Select an approved Degree Minor (21 to 24 credits): Students are required to choose an approved minor in consultation with your advisor.
Career Opportunities
With a bachelor's degree in communication studies, you will be prepared to pursue entry level job opportunities in fields like public relations, marketing, nonprofit communications, and government communications.
Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:
Internal or external communications
Content marketing and copywriting
Social media
PR
Human resources
Nonprofit
Government
How to Apply
Application Deadlines
Fall semester
August 1
Spring semester
January 1
Summer semester
May 1
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Planning to transfer credits from another college or university? Please review our FAQ page, then complete a Tentative Transfer Evaluation Form to see how your prior credits may transfer.
Previous college credit may be transferred into the online anthropology bachelor's degree program, and minimum credits required can vary depending on previous coursework completed.
2.0 cumulative GPA (2.5 cumulative GPA preferred) from all coursework previously completed*
* A 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college work attempted is the threshold for consideration. Applicants who have a cumulative GPA below 2.5 should be prepared to demonstrate academic success in the form of an upward GPA trend and no D/F grades in their most recent terms.
† Additional information may be required for international applicants. Please connect with a coach to learn more.
Call or email our student success team to find out if the program is a good fit for your goals. Our coaches are available Monday-Friday to help you find the right program and navigate the application process.
Complete Colorado State University's online undergraduate application and pay the $50 nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online) or waiver (if eligible).
Select "Communication Studies—online degree program" when choosing major.
Online applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) on the deadline date. If you miss the application deadline, you may still register for courses to begin your program of study as a non-degree student. Students seeking Federal financial aid must be admitted prior to enrolling.