Communication

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication at the University of North Dakota offers students a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum designed to prepare them for diverse careers in media, public relations, advertising, journalism, and organizational communication. This program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, effective writing, and verbal communication skills essential for success in today's fast-paced and interconnected world. Students will explore foundational theories of communication, media literacy, and the role of communication in shaping social, political, and cultural contexts. Courses cover a broad spectrum of topics including interpersonal communication, mass media, digital communication, media law and ethics, and strategic communication practices. The program encourages experiential learning through internships, projects, and collaborative research, providing students with practical experiences that enhance their professional readiness. Faculty members are dedicated to fostering an engaging learning environment, integrating current industry trends and technologies into their teaching. The curriculum is designed to be flexible to accommodate students’ interests and career goals, offering concentrations such as media production, strategic communication, or interpersonal communication. Graduates of the program will be well-equipped to pursue careers in media outlets, corporate communication departments, public relations firms, or graduate studies in communication and related fields. The program also emphasizes ethical considerations and the social responsibilities of communicators, ensuring students are prepared to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to their communities. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, students gain hands-on experience in media production and communication research. The University of North Dakota’s Communication program strives to develop articulate, analytical, and innovative communication professionals who can adapt to the evolving digital landscape and effectively communicate across various platforms and audiences worldwide.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline Fall - August 1; Spring - December 1; Summer - May 1; International students: Fall - May 1; Spring - September 1; Summer - February 1 Tuition fee

• EUR 7330 Year (National)
• EUR 7330 Year (International)

$312.82/Credit

Start date January,May,August 2015 Credits 125
Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode Online Educational variant Full-time Intensity Flexible Part-time variant Flexible Structure Fully structured Student interaction Individual work/assignments (with online group discussions), Online group works/assignments Attendance No Attendance Teacher support Continuous support with feedback on request

Course Content

125 credits are required for graduation, with a minimum of the following:

1. Essential Studies (General Education) Requirements = 39 Credits*

Communication majors may not count Communication courses toward Essential Studies requirements (exception: Comm 110: Fundamentals of Public Speaking).

2. Liberal Arts & Other Courses Outside of Communication Major = 80 Credits*

65 of the 80 credits must include Essential Studies and traditional liberal arts credits from the following departments:

• Anatomy
• Anthropology
• Art
• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• Fine Arts
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Humanities
• Honors
• Indian Studies
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Music
• Peace Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Physics
• Psychology
• Religion
• Sociology
• Theatre Arts
• Women Studies

3. Communication Curriculum = 37 Credits (45 Credits Maximum)

Communication majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all Communication courses.

The following Communication courses will be available in an online format. Additional online Communication courses will be developed; please check back for updates. For the full listing of all Communication courses, refer to the UND Academic Catalog.

Level A: SURVEY COURSES = 6 Credits Required

• Comm 102 - Communication and the Human Community (3 credits)
• Comm 103 - Information, Technology and Social Change (3 credits)

Level B: SKILLS/THEORY = 15 Credits Required with at Least 1 Course in Each Category

COMMUNITY

• Comm 110 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 credits)
• Comm 201 - Visual Communication (3 credits)
• Comm 212 - Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)

INFORMATION

• Comm 200 - Introduction to Media Writing (3 credits)
• Comm 366 - Business and Professional Speaking (3 credits)

TECHNOLOGY

• Comm 306 - Advertising Media Planning (3 credits)
• Comm 319 - Digital Imaging (3 credits)

Level C: THEORY/SKILLS = 12 Credits Required with at Least 1 Course in Each Category

COMMUNITY

• Comm 300 - Communication and Society (3 credits)
• Comm 310 - Media and Diversity (3 credits)
• Comm 401 - Organizational Communication (3 credits)

INFORMATION

• Comm 308 - Argumentation (3 credits)
• Comm 405 - Social Implications of the Information Society (3 credits)
• Comm 410 - Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)

TECHNOLOGY

• Comm 331 - Survey of Broadcasting (3 credits)
• Comm 407 - Communication Technologies and the Future (3 credits)

Level D: EXPERIENCE = 3-5 Credits (No More Than 3 Credits Combined of 397 and 497 Are Allowed)

• Comm 394 - Individual Projects, Readings (1-3 credits)
• Comm 397 - Cooperative Education (1-3 credits)
• Comm 497 - Internship (1-3 credits)

Level E: PORTFOLIO = 1 Credit Required

• Comm 450 - Senior Portfolio (1 credit)

*To complete these degree requirements, you have 2 main options:

Take semester-based OR open-enrollment, independent study courses from UND.

Take courses from a regionally accredited institution of higher education at a location near you. Prior to taking courses from another institution, you should check with your academic advisor to make sure the credits will transfer and apply to your degree program.

Of the 125 total credits needed to graduate from UND, you must complete:

• 37 credits in communication (maximum of 45 credits)
• 60 credits from a 4-year, regionally accredited college or university
• 36 credits at an upper division level (300 or above)
• 30 credits from UND (includes online or correspondence by mail courses)

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test : 76

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

If you are seeking a career in communication or other related fields, the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a Major in Communication is designed for you!

Regardless of where you live or your current profession, you may earn your bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota. The online, part-time Communication program is designed for individuals who are unable to attend traditional, on-campus classes.

The entire degree is offered online; you are NOT required to come to campus at any time.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Technological Requirements

Although specific technical requirements may vary by online course or program, the following general technical requirements are required for all online courses. Active E-mail Account Current Operating System: Windows or Macintosh Internet Connection: DSL/Cable (recommended) Note: A wireless or satellite connection should not be used for taking exams/quizzes and is not recommended for "Live" Web classes. Current Internet Browser: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari Word Processing Software: Microsoft Word (recommended) Additional Free Software Downloads (as necessary)

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Alumni Study Travel Fund

  Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

  The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of North Dakota.

Funding

Financial Aid

Semester-based, online courses are eligible for most federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.

Semester-based, online courses are NOT eligible for any tuition waiver programs at the University of North Dakota (i.e. Cultural Diversity, International, Employee, Graduate), except as required by statute.

In order to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be:

• fully admitted in a degree or approved graduate certificate program.
• registered for at least 6 credits in each term you apply the aid towards.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application UND requires to determine eligibility for all federal and state financial aid. Refer to the UND Student Financial Aid Office for more information.

Employer-Provided Tuition Assistance

UND accepts company payments for employer-provided tuition assistance programs. Contact your human resource department to find out how you can qualify for tuition assistance.

Military & Veterans Tuition Assistance

UND is approved to offer college credit courses through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program.

The University of North Dakota accepts military and veterans tuition assistance. Contact your military education or veterans’ administration office to find out how you can qualify for tuition assistance.

NOTE: Service members and veterans taking 100% of their courses online and who are enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill may also be eligible for a monthly housing allowance. Refer to the US Department of Veterans Affairs for details.

Scholarship

If you are completing a UND degree program through online courses, you may apply for the Ben & Ruth Gustafson Continuing Education Endowment at UND provided by UND Online & Distance Education for non-traditional, distance students.

Accreditation

The University of North Dakota as a whole is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. UND has been accredited since 1913, when the Association was first organized.

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation assures the quality of higher education institutions and programs. In the United States, accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental, peer-review process that determines if established quality standards are being met.

• Accreditation is a major way for students, families, employers, government officials, and the media to know that an institution or program provides a quality education.
• Accreditation helps students choose quality college programs that qualify for federal financial aid.
• Accreditation enables employers to recruit graduates they know are well-prepared. Many employers will only provide tuition assistance to employees for accredited programs.
• Accreditation is used by registration, licensure, and certification boards to screen applicants.
• Accreditation gives colleges and universities a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve the quality of their programs.