Communication is the backbone of 21st century society and the modern economy — the driving force behind community action, societal change and many business endeavors. Whether you are interested in social media, digital communications/marketing, fundraising, human resources or any other field, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, you’ll master the skill employers consistently rank as most important in the workforce: effective communication. This program provides a foundation for success in careers across government, business, nonprofits and beyond.
Communication Studies - B.A.
Contact Us
- Paul Haridakis | comm@kent.edu |
330-672-2659 - Speak with an Advisor
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor: Kent Campus | Regional Campuses
Preparation for your future
Businesses, organizations, and nonprofit agencies consistently rank effective communication skills as the most important job-hiring consideration, even more so than technical skills. Pursuing a Communication Studies degree allows you the ability to bring diverse insights to the role of communication in a variety of ways. Managers, communication experts, teachers, sales representatives, political communication consultants, communication strategists and leaders are a few examples of possible careers for degree-seeking students. Communication Studies degrees examine the role of communication in a wide range of settings, focusing on how to adapt messages to diverse situations and circumstances.
The key to the Communication Studies major is flexibility.
Explore Flexible Options
Complete the Degree In-Person, Hybrid or Online
The option to complete the Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies fully online is perfect for working professionals or others who wish to earn their college degree who are location-bound.
Bachelor's to Master's Degree
Students may apply early to the Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs.
Communication Studies-to-Law Pathway Program
Written and oral communication skills are essential to the practice of law. This makes Communication Studies an excellent major for law school-bound students. At 鶹Ƶ choosing Communication Studies as your pre-law major will give you both a skillset you need to succeed — and low-cost, fast-track pathways to well-respected law schools in the Northeast Ohio region:
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- Cleveland State University College of Law
- University of Akron School of Law
Program Information for Communication Studies - B.A.
Career Outlook
You'll find our alumni working:
- In digital communications at non-profits, global organizations and education settings
- In public affairs in government, Walt Disney World, the U.S. Air Force and beyond
- In marketing roles at major organizations like Amazon and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
- As training and development managers in human resources
- In communication, community engagement and fundraising roles in healthcare settings (Cleveland Clinic, Akron Children’s Hospital and more)
- In global communications and relations roles, both in the U.S. and abroad
The following growth stats are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections through 2031.
Success Stories
Read about some of our successful alumni who are making an impact in our region and beyond.
Victoria Humphreys, '13 | Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Department of the Interior
Victoria Humphreys, '13, found her way as a communications professional in Washington, D.C., due to her passion for helping advance Native American communities, including her own. After attending a guest lecture from Associate Professor Stephanie Danes Smith (COMM and MDJ) about her experience working with the federal government, Humphreys began studying Federal Indian Policy and the complexities of the nation-to-nation relationship between Tribes and the federal government.
JaRel Clay, '11 | Associate Senior Director, Digital and Production, Hip Hop Caucus
Since graduating from 鶹Ƶ less than 10 years ago, JaRel Clay has traveled the United States while working for Edelman, one of the country’s largest public relations firms; created a digital media platform for a national security think tank; and managed coalitions for a progressive nonprofit focused on making the world a better place. And in almost every scenario, he’s been able to resolve challenges — involving mediation, problem-solving and collaboration — using skills that he can trace back to his time as a Communication Studies major at 鶹Ƶ.
Megan Carrasco, '16 | Judicial Law Clerk, Arizona Supreme Court
Megan Carrasco's journey to law school, and now as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Arizona Supreme Court, began at 鶹Ƶ with her major in Communication Studies. “Law is very much communication based; you never have to do just one thing in law,” Carrasco said. After graduating in 2016, Carrasco, an Honors student, who minored in Public Relations and Spanish, spent time working and thinking about what she truly wanted to do before going back to graduate school. She ultimately decided the law school process and courses fascinated her, so she began law school at Arizona State University in 2018 and graduated with her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 2021.
Adam Schroeder, '20 | Digital Communications Specialist, American Civil Liberties Union Indiana
A career in advocacy had always been a dream of 鶹Ƶ Alumnus Adam Schroeder, from a young age. Now, Adam is living that dream as a Digital Communications Associate at the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. Growing up, Adam had always been interested in current events and passionate about civic engagement. He kept up with the news and would watch his parents vote on different issues. As he aged and developed his own worldview and political ideology, he knew that he had to pursue a career in advocacy.