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Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communications

A communications degree is valuable and versatile in a world of ever-evolving modes of communication.

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Earn more

Prepare for high-earning careers in fields like public relations, HR, sales and marketing.

What you’ll learn

In this program, you'll learn how to excel at optimizing the channels and information sources employers deal with everyday including social media, mobile technology, and big data.

career outlook

Thrive in a variety of careers

Teacher

$72,900 (72k median)

Human resources specialist

$78,870 (78K median)

Fundraiser

$76,920 (76K median)

Copywriter

$49,140 (50K median)

Organizational behavior specialist

$59,770 (60K median)

what you'll learn

VIEW full CURRICULUM

Control the Message

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Apply the principles and key concepts of public relations to address the challenging task of shaping an organization’s public image

Communicate Across Cultures

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Identify, analyze, and address the cultural differences and communications issues that arise in both international and intercultural business contexts

Go Behind the News

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Demonstrate the ability to distinguish media bias from audience bias and well-researched, credible news stories from shoddy journalism

Create Multimedia

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Engage in the various stages necessary to design and develop a basic multimedia product, including creating a storyboard and writing a script

Convey Technical Information

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Communicate clear, effective, and accurate technical information for different purposes and audiences

Represent an Organization

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Demonstrate the key principles of organizational communications by developing professional documents and organizational messaging strategies

Construct and Deconstruct Media

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Focus on media literacy, which has been defined by the National Association for Media Literacy Education as the ability to “comprehend the messages we receive and actively utilize these tools to design and distribute our own messages

Leverage Social Media

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Demonstrate strategic uses of social media for a variety of purposes, such as advertising, marketing, and public relations

Research Communications

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Use a variety of sources—including scholarly materials, personal interviews, and news stories—to obtain information on communications topics, and then use the research findings to inform written pieces, such as articles

Advertise a Product or Service

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Analyze and create advertisements in various media, applying both historical and contemporary perspectives on advertising methods and design

Capstone Goal

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Apply the principles of design thinking to address a need in the workplace or community

Work Within the Law

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Examine the legal frameworks within which businesses operate in the US, as well as the main legal issues affecting US businesses such as torts, product liability, criminal law, and contracts

Use Math to Solve Problems

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Use creative problem-solving techniques together with algebra, geometry, and statistics to address real-world challenges

Negotiate Difference

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Analyze interpersonal and small-group communication

Market a Product or Service

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Focus on the key phases of the marketing process: pre-marketing analysis and research, creation of a marketing plan, and development of a marketing brief

Manage a Business Organization

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Use a variety of techniques to analyze common management issues, apply decision-making frameworks and communicate effectively with stakeholders

Lead a Team

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Work closely with others, serving both as team leaders and team members to solve complex problems

Demonstrate Cultural Competence

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Improve the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of professional settings by analyzing how culture shapes interpersonal relations and first-person perspectives

Contribute to Society

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Focus on both the content knowledge and active participation needed for meaningful community and civic engagement, both globally and in the US

Account for Business

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Hone the accounting competencies necessary for non-accountants to interpret and evaluate the financial effects of day-to-day management decisions

Support every step of the way

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Personal coach

From tutoring to time management. Your dedicated coach will help you achieve your goals.

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Financial aid

Expert support to help you access financial aid — plus financing options you’ll only find at Gateway U.

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Community of peers

Join a community of learners at Gateway U. Build relationships with other students in your neighborhood.

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Tools for school

Access our comfortable coworking spaces for you to get work done. Laptop, software, tech support...We’ve got you.

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Your pace

Our program works around your schedule, whether you want to take your time or finish as soon as possible.

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Career planning

Access hands-on career coaching and resources to help you find and get the job you want.

TUITION AND AID

Tuition +fees before aid

$10,146.75

per year

3 years

avg. time to completion for supported B.A. degrees

financial aid

Most Gateway U students are eligible for financial aid, and the average Gateway U student covers around half of tuition through government scholarship.

Let's do this

Ready to take the first step?

Schedule a call with a Gateway U advisor to get started.

Frequently asked questions

Are there scholarships and financial aid available?

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How much is tuition?

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$10,146.75 in yearly tuition and fees for SNHU’s competency-based education program with wrap-around support services provided by Gateway U. Most students are eligible for federal financial aid. Financial aid covers more than half of tuition for the average student (and can cover most of tuition).

Can I transfer credits out of the program?

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Each institution has its own rules about credit transferability, and so we can't 100% guarantee that the credits you earn in the program will transfer fully to a future institution of your choice.

What are the application requirements?

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To apply to one of our SNHU degree programs, students must have a GED or high school diploma.

Is Gateway U a university? Are the SNHU degree programs accredited?

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  • Gateway U is not a university. We're proud to offer access to Southern New Hampshire University’s competency-based education programs, combined with our wraparound support services. 
  • Our students graduate from SNHU with an accredited associate or bachelor’s degree in their chosen field. 
  • Southern New Hampshire University (or SNHU) is a private, nonprofit university established in 1932 with more than 3,000 on-campus students, over 150,000 online learners and an alumni network of over 150,000, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the nation.
  • Our university partner SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Regional accreditation is the highest form of accreditation, and credits earned through regionally accredited programs are the most likely to transfer.

Let us help you Understand your options

Wondering how to choose the right program for you?

We’re pros at helping people take the next step.