BA Communication

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Cincinnati

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication at the University of Cincinnati develops strong speaking, writing, critical-thinking and interpersonal skills while giving students flexibility to explore communication in areas such as public relations, business, marketing, media, law, government and nonprofit work. It is a strong fit for students who enjoy working with people and audiences and want to combine communication theory with practical experience through internships, real-world projects and an optional co-op pathway.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students build their foundation in communication and college-level academic skills through COMM1071: Introduction to Effective Speaking or COMM2081: Business Communication and COMM1076: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication. They also complete English Composition and begin their foreign-language and general-education requirements, establishing the writing, presentation and interpersonal skills needed for advanced communication study.

Year 2: Students broaden their understanding of communication through additional 1000- and 2000-level communication courses while developing stronger academic writing through ENGL2089: Intermediate Composition. Students also complete natural-science, mathematics/statistics/logic and elective requirements, with the flexibility to add a certificate, minor or double major.

Year 3: Students move into the theoretical and research side of the discipline through COMM3007: Introduction to Communication Theory and COMM3006: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory. They also select a communication research-methods course, allowing them to develop skills for analyzing communication and audiences while exploring electives such as organizational diversity, media and public opinion, environmental communication and leadership communication.

Year 4: Students advance into 4000-level Communication courses and complete a substantial COMM5XXX Capstone, choosing from options including COMM5000, COMM5003, COMM5004, COMM5006, COMM5009, COMM5011 or COMM5026. The final year brings together communication theory, research, writing and practical application while students complete their certificate, minor or double-major requirements and prepare for professional or graduate opportunities.

Focus Areas:

Interpersonal communication, public speaking, business communication, rhetorical theory, communication theory, research methods, organizational communication, public relations, media and public opinion, environmental communication, leadership communication, professional communication, communication and society.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced written and oral communication, critical-thinking, research, audience-analysis, interpersonal and presentation skills while learning to understand communication processes, evaluate information, conduct research and apply communication theory to professional and social settings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The University of Cincinnati and its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Communication BA itself does not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation; its professional value is reinforced through internships, optional co-op experiences, communication-focused organizations, applied projects and career preparation.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition):

UC describes the College of Arts and Sciences as part of a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities, while the Communication department highlights award-winning faculty and an alumni network of more than 5,000 communication alumni. The university also emphasizes Cincinnati's urban setting, which provides access to Fortune 500 companies, media organizations and nonprofit employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Communication BA gives students opportunities to take communication beyond the classroom through professional internships, real-world projects, student organizations, research, service learning and an optional co-op track. Students can build portfolios by collaborating with professional and community organizations, work with actual clients through student-led organizations, and gain career experience in Cincinnati's business, media and nonprofit environment.

• Optional Co-op Track — Students can complete at least two co-op experiences as part of the Communication BA, gaining compensated, career-oriented experience before graduation; the 2026 curriculum also provides for a third co-op experience.

• Communication Internships — Students can complete internships after taking the required Careers in Communication prerequisite and registering for the Internship course, strengthening their resumes through practical communication work.

• UC Influence — Student Public Relations Firm — Students can gain client-facing experience through a student-led public relations organization that works on actual campaigns for real-world clients.

• PRSSA — The University of Cincinnati Public Relations Student Society of America provides a professional environment for students interested in public relations and communication careers.

• Forensics/Debate Team — Students can strengthen public speaking, argumentation and presentation skills by participating in UC's competitive forensics and speech team.

• CommuniCATS — This student organization provides another avenue for Communication majors to connect with peers, activities and professional development.

• Real-World Projects — Communication students can collaborate with professional and community organizations on projects connected to their own interests, giving them opportunities to build portfolio material before graduation.

• Student Research — Students interested in graduate school can work with faculty on original research, developing research design and analytical skills while exploring communication questions in greater depth.

• Service Learning — UC's Arts and Sciences experiential-learning opportunities allow students to apply classroom knowledge through community-based service learning, connecting academic study with real community needs.

• Study Abroad — Students can add international experience through UC study-abroad opportunities, developing cultural competency and broader perspectives useful for communication careers.

• Coursera Academy — Arts and Sciences students can access selected Coursera courses at no additional cost, allowing them to earn additional professional credentials and strengthen their career profiles.

• Professionalism and Purpose — Students following the co-op curriculum complete PD2070: Professionalism and Purpose, preparing them for the professional expectations associated with their experiential placements.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Communication BA gives graduates a flexible professional foundation that can transfer into business, marketing, public relations, human resources, media, government, nonprofit organizations and other communication-intensive fields. UC also prepares students for further professional education in areas such as law and business, while internships, co-ops, research and student organizations can help graduates enter the workforce with relevant experience already on their resumes.

Typical career options: Corporate Communications Specialist, Public Relations Specialist, Event Planner, Human Resources Specialist

• Bearcat Promise Career Studio — UC provides personalized career coaching, including career-goal development, interview preparation, job-search strategies and professional guidance through the Career Studio.

• Resume & LinkedIn Support — Career & Co-op Support provides templates, workshops and guidance for resumes, CVs, cover letters, LinkedIn and Handshake profiles, helping students develop a professional presence.

• Handshake & Employer Connections — Students can access curated job listings, employer events and direct connections with organizations recruiting Bearcats.

• Interview Preparation — UC provides interview resources and AI-powered mock-interview tools, helping students practice before internships, co-ops and full-time employment interviews.

• Cincinnati Industry Access — The university's urban location gives Communication students access to internships and co-ops with Fortune 500 companies, newspaper and broadcast media organizations and nonprofit organizations.

• Professional Alumni Network — Communication students can connect with a network of more than 5,000 Communication alumni, creating opportunities for mentoring and professional connections.

• Career Outcomes — UC identifies career paths including admissions counselor, advertising account executive, communication educator, event planner, human resource specialist, marketing manager and sales representative for Communication graduates. The university's career information is supported by Lightcast and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics labor-market data.

• Employment & Salary Information — The official Communication BA page does not publish a single program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure. UC instead provides occupation-level labor-market information through its Career Coach tool, sourced from Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Professional Experience Before Graduation — The optional co-op pathway requires multiple career-related experiences, giving students an opportunity to develop transferable skills and strengthen their competitiveness for post-graduation employment.

• Long-Term Accreditation Value — UC's institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission provides recognized quality assurance for the university and its degree programs. The Communication BA itself does not list a separate professional accreditation.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can pursue graduate study in Communication and related fields. UC offers a Master's in Communication with coursework in communication theory and research, customizable electives and a thesis or praxis project, while Communication graduates may also use their critical-thinking and communication preparation for advanced study in areas such as law and business. UC also offers a 3+3 Law School pathway for eligible students who want to combine the bachelor's degree and UC law degree in six years.