Communication, BA, Online BA
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s online Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree covers every aspect of how humans share information, from spoken words to written messages and even nonverbal cues. You will learn how to analyze communication patterns and tactics in a variety of interpersonal, intercultural, and professional settings. As our economy diversifies and expands the emphasis on teamwork and service, excellent communication skills are increasingly important for a professional career in any field as well as for a more fulfilling life.
In today’s job market, the ability to communicate is more valuable than ever. Employers across all industries consistently rank this ability among their top hiring criteria. By choosing the College of Letters & Science online communication degree, you’re not just learning about how people connect — you’re developing a valuable skill.
Learn more about undergraduate online education, including important pricing information.
Start Dates: Fall, Spring or Summer
Cost per Credit: $395 (Total Cost: $47,400*)
Credit Hours: 120 (36 Credits in Major)
*Total cost will vary based on the number of credits transferred into UWM.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
Online
Why Study Communication at UWM?
- Explore communication theory and its application in all aspects of life.
- Learn from instructors with experience in the field. All online and in-person courses are taught by the same faculty members.
- Use UWM’s connections to secure an internship or part-time job in your local area. You can find opportunities with various types of organizations with a bachelor’s in communication degree.
- Engage in undergraduate research opportunities with faculty and graduate students.
Financial Aid
Various financial aid options are available to support your educational journey. UWM’s Student Financial Services team will guide you through the financial aid process, helping you identify and apply for the best options to fund your bachelor’s degree.
Scholarships
UWM’s scholarships encompass a wide variety of awards, including academic excellence and need-based opportunities. Scholarship opportunities may increase with academic standing. Explore the Panther Scholarship Portal regularly as you make progress on your degree.
Admissions
Applicants must meet UWM’s general admission requirements to be considered for admission.
Listed below are the requirements for the Communication major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
Communication Major Requirements
A major in communication consists of at least 36 credits in communication courses. At least 18 of the 36 credits must be numbered 300 or above, 15 of these taken in residence at UWM.
Graduation with a major in Communication requires a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in all communication courses attempted at UWM as well as a 2.0 GPA in all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. All courses in the major, with the exception of COMMUN 298, must be taken for graded credit. The College of Letters and Science requires that students complete a research experience in their major. The Department of Communication has structured COMMUN 335, COMMUN 370, and COMMUN 372 to satisfy that requirement. In these courses, students must produce a written final research paper that involves conducting independent research in addition to evaluating research in the field and integrating it with their findings. Students will present their research in oral form to their course colleagues.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| COMMUN 101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMMUN 105 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Critical Analysis of Communication | ||
| Quantitative Research in Communication | ||
| Qualitative Research in Communication | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 24 credits from across the communication curriculum | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
A maximum of 6 credits earned in any combination of the following courses may count toward the minimum number of credits required for the major in communication:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 199 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 288 | Research Practicum | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 296 | UROP Apprenticeship | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 298 | Internship in Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 597 | Practicum in Teaching Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 588 | Research Practicum | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 698 | Internship in Communication | 3 |
| COMMUN 699 | Advanced Independent Reading | 1-3 |
Cross-listed Courses
The following courses offered in other subjects may be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major in Communication.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JAMS 111 | Gender and the Media | 3 |
| JAMS 113 | Internet Culture | 3 |
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
With a bachelor’s in communication degree, you can take countless professional paths or further your education with a master’s degree. You’ll use your knowledge of human interaction, communication tools, meaning generation and more to land positions in marketing, public relations, education, government/politics, international relations, human services and beyond.
Jobs held by UWM communication majors include:
- Admissions Counselor, Mount Mary University
- Appraiser, City of Milwaukee
- Associate Manager for Online Services, Mark Travel Corporation
- Brand Designer, GMR Marketing
- Branch Manager, Associated Bank
- Business Analyst, FIS
- Career Services Coordinator, Milwaukee Workforce Development
- Communication Coordinator, 3M
- Contract Specialist, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Corporate Trainer, Kohl’s
- Development Director, ACLU
- Grant Coordinator, Argosy Foundation
- Inside Sales Representative, Generac
- Internal Communications Specialist, Aurora Healthcare
- Marketing Assistant, Adidas
- Marketing Assistant, Gravity Marketing
- Marketing Coordinator, Sharpe Engineering
- Marketing Specialist, Sony
- Program Coordinator, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Project Manager, Northwestern Mutual
- Recruiter, Manpower
- Reporter, WNDU
- Training Specialist, Exact Science
Thinking about going to graduate school? Explore UWM’s communication graduate programs.