Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies

Total credit hours per program: 120 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $340

Total cost with fees and maximum amount of credits allowed to transfer into the program: $10,200

Total cost with fees: $40,800

General Education	Credit Hours
ENGL 1001 - English Composition I	3
ENGL 1002 - English Composition II	3
General Education Social Science	6
General Education Mathematics	6
General Education Biology	3
General Education Natural Sciences	6
CMST 1061 to CMST 2060	3
General Education History	6
General Education Fine Arts	3
Total Required Credit Hours	39
Core Major Courses	Credit Hours
CMST 2015 Visual Communication	3
CMST 2151 Media Writing	3
CMST 3080 Mass Media Law	3
CMST 3500 Introduction to Communication Research Methods	3
CMST 4120 Computer-Mediated Communication	3
CMST 4160 Persuasive Communication	3
Total Required Credit Hours	18
Concentration Courses	Credit Hours
CMST 2010 Interpersonal Communication	3
CMST 3100 Small Group Communication and Problem Solving	3
CMST 3118 Intercultural Communication	3
CMST 4119 Nonverbal Communication	3
CMST 3115 OR CMST 3116 OR CMST 4104 OR CMST 4112 OR CMST 4114 OR CMST 4150	3
CMST Elective	3
Total Required Credit Hours	18
Additional Requirements	Credit Hours
Foreign Language Electives	6
English Literature Elective	3
Humanities or Fine Arts Electives	9
Social Science Electives	9
Free Electives	18
Total Required Credit Hours	45

*Students must choose one of the two concentrations listed below.

• Communication Studies Concentration
• Communication in Human Relationships Concentration

First-Time Freshmen

To be admitted to LSUA as a first-time freshman, you must:

• Complete the high school core curriculum in place at the time of graduation
• Not require more than one developmental (remedial) course
• Have a minimum 2.0 high school GPA
• Meet one of the following:
  • Earn an ACT composite score of 20 or higher
  • Have at least a 2.0 GPA in Core high school courses

Transfer Students

To transfer to LSUA, you must meet one of the following:

• Earned a transferable associate degree or higher
• Completed at least 18 college-level credit hours, including college-level English and math, with a grade of "C" or better in each, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Completed at least 12 college-level credit hours through LSUE or the CLTCC Bridge Program, including college-level English and math, with a grade of "C" or better in each, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

If you do not meet the transfer criteria above, you may still qualify by meeting freshman admission requirements and being in good academic standing at your previous institution. 

• Social media content creator
• Web developer
• Corporate communication
• Event planner
• Social media manager
• Nonprofit executive
• Lawyer
• Strategic communication manager
• Television producer
• Media relations specialist
• Customer service representative
• Development officer
• Political campaign strategist 
• Human resources analyst 
• Multimedia journalist

Students who graduate with an online communication studies degree will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue many different career pathways.

Topics covered in the program include:

• Introduction to the design, creation, and critique of visual media
• Practice locating news sources, interviewing, and note-taking; evaluating and organizing facts; writing basic news stories; using wire service style
• A study of the legal rights of and the legal restraints on the mass media
• A study of research methods in the field of communication
• A study of the dynamics of interpersonal, small group, and public forums when mediated through technology
• Exploration of persuasion, compliance gaining, and social influence in communication

• Career-Ready Curriculum: Gain the practical communication skills employers want, and be ready to apply them right after graduation.
• Affordable & Accessible: Get a high-quality degree at one of Louisiana’s most affordable tuition rates.
• Flexible Learning Format: Learn on your schedule with fully online coursework designed to fit your life. 
• Engaging Virtual Content: Build a strong academic foundation through interactive learning experiences.
• Concentration Available: Tailor to your academic needs and become an expert in interpersonal communication

General Communication Studies

You’ll explore core areas like strategic communications, human relationships, and visual communication, while gaining hands-on skills in media writing, visual media design and critique, communication research methods, and the dynamics of persuasion and social influence. 

The online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from LSUA offers a concentration in Communication in Human Relationships.

This program is designed to sharpen your skills in analyzing communication dynamics and bridging gaps in understanding. You'll gain a deeper insight into the principles of human communication and learn how to navigate complex interactions with clarity and purpose. Graduates emerge equipped to resolve communication challenges, foster strong personal and professional relationships, and thrive in roles such as human resources analyst, strategic communications manager, event planner, lawyer, and more.

Topics include:

• Theories and research in dyadic (one-to-one) communication, including the roles of self-concept and perception in communication
• Communication skills theory applied to small groups and teams
• Exploration of the nature of communication within and between cultures, this course serves as an introduction to foundational and contemporary concepts, practices, and processes of intercultural communication, methods of critical intercultural analysis, and the scholarly field of intercultural communication
• Nonverbal message systems such as kinesics and proxemics; relationships between verbal and nonverbal communication