Effective communication is at the core of all human interaction.
Every industry values good communication skills. Get a step ahead with a degree that helps you become the best communicator in the room.
With a communication arts bachelor’s degree, you’ll have a chance to earn college credit while learning career-building skills through practical experience in areas like forensics, broadcasting, and internships. At Cumberlands, classes are small enough for you to really get to know your classmates and professors, and we offer plenty of on-campus opportunities to stretch your wings in our digital media studio, campus newspaper, podcasting course, and nationally recognized speech and debate team. If you have a love for clear, responsible, and beneficial communication and a desire to explore careers ranging from education to business to social media, you should begin with a degree in communication arts.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts
Build a strong foundation in various forms of communication while you try your hand at specific aspects like mass communication or rhetoric. You can choose between four different concentrations areas to go in-depth with key subject matter and specific career opportunities: advertising and public relations, journalism, integrated communication, or theatre arts.
Course Requirements
Core Courses (30 hours)
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 230 Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 233 Graphic Design
COMM 235 Introduction to Video Production
COMM 334 Social Media
COMM 332 Small Group Communication
COMM 339 Communication Law & Ethics
COMM 432 Theories of Persuasion
COMM 434 Communication Theory
COMM 430 Professional Communication
Concentration (12 hours) from one of the following areas:
Advertising and Public Relations
Journalism
Integrated Communication
Theatre (on-campus only)
The B.A. requires the same courses as a B.S., in addition to 12 credit hours of a foreign language.
Core Courses (30 hours)
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 230 Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 233 Graphic Design
COMM 235 Introduction to Video Production
COMM 334 Social Media
COMM 332 Small Group Communication
COMM 339 Communication Law & Ethics
COMM 432 Theories of Persuasion
COMM 434 Communication Theory
COMM 430 Professional Communication
Concentration (12 hours) from one of the following areas:
Advertising and Public Relations
Journalism
Integrated Communication
Theatre (on-campus only)
Choose one foreign language sequence:
FREN 131 Elementary French I
FREN 132 Elementary French II
FREN 231 Intermediate French I
FREN 232 Intermediate French II
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
A concentration requires completing 12 credit hours from one of the following sequences:
Advertising and Public Relations
COMM 141 Fundamentals of Advertising and PR
COMM 242 Audience Insight
COMM 343 Creative Strategy
COMM 444 PR Campaigns
COMM 491 Internship
Journalism
COMM 150 Introduction to Journalism
COMM 251 Multimedia Journalism
COMM 356 Writing for Mass Media
COMM 458 YouTube or COMM 363 Advanced Video Production
COMM 457 Audio Production and Podcasting
Integrated Communication
COMM 131 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 362 Screenwriting
COMM 363 Advanced Video Production
COMM 403 Argument in Everyday Life
COMM 405 Listening and Nonverbal Communication
Theatre (On-Campus Only)
THTR 130 Introduction to Theatre
THTR 131 Acting I
THTR 135 Theatrical Design
THTR 231 Devised Theatre
THTR 335 Applied Theatre
THTR 420 Professional Portfolio
THTR 431 Principles of Directing
THTR 437 Improvisation
Note: COMM majors cannot minor in communication arts, journalism, or strategic communication, regardless of emphasis.
Minors
You don’t have to major in communications to become a better communicator. With a minor in communication arts, you will gain invaluable communication skills that will prove beneficial to any major, as well as your future career. As with a bachelor’s in communication arts, you’ll choose one of four concentration areas to emphasize key subject matter in your communications studies.
Note: COMM Majors cannot minor in communication arts, journalism, or strategic communication, regardless of their major's concentration.
Course Requirements
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 131 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 230 Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 432 Theories of Persuasion
Plus 9 additional hours of COMM electives.
COMM 235 Introduction to Video Production
COMM 150 Introduction to Journalism
COMM 233 Graphic Design
COMM 251 Multimedia Journalism
COMM 356 Writing for Mass Media
COMM 339 Communication Law & Ethics
COMM 491 Internship
COMM 141 Fundamentals of Advertising and PR
COMM 235 Introduction to Video Production
COMM 343 Creative Strategy
COMM 334 Social Media
COMM 233 Graphic Design
Plus 6 additional hours of COMM electives
Associate Degree in Communication Arts
You don’t have to get a bachelor’s degree in communications to become a better communicator. With an associate degree in communication arts, you will gain invaluable communication skills that will prove beneficial to your future career and your life as a whole.
Course Requirements
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 131 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 230 Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 332 Small Group Communication
COMM 405 Listening and Nonverbal Communication
COMM 430 Professional Communication
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 131 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 150 Introduction to Journalism
COMM 233 Graphic Design
COMM 235 Introduction to Video Production
COMM 430 Professional Communication
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
The mission of the communication arts program at Cumberlands is to provide the opportunity and training to improve your verbal and written communication skills. Through the program, you will become a more effective and ethically responsible communicator.
Communication Arts Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Writer/Author: $69,510
Writer/Author: $69,510
Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media.
Public Relations Specialist: $62,800
Public Relations Specialist: $62,800
Public relations specialists create and maintain a positive public image for the clients they represent.
Professor: $79,640
Professor: $79,640
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
Social Media Specialist: $56,770
Social Media Specialist: $56,770
Social media specialists communicate with the public through platforms that allow users to create and share content online. They run their employers’ social media accounts, working to build a brand’s reputation.
Advertising Manager: $133,380
Advertising Manager: $133,380
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.
News Reporter: $48,370
News Reporter: $48,370
News analysts, reporters, and journalists keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information.
Common Questions
Communication arts encompasses all forms of communication, from writing to reading, speaking, listening, drawing, and even illustrating. No matter what career option you choose, a degree in communication arts will make you a better communicator and critical thinker, proving vital to success in almost any career field.
With a degree in communications, you will have the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in many different areas, including education, public relations, social media, news and reporting, writing, and more.
Maybe your bachelor’s is just the first step! Many communication arts graduates go on to pursue additional certifications or degrees to explore careers in graphic design, business, or even art therapy.
Even if you know you are interested in pursuing a degree in communication arts, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly which area of communications interests you most. But not to worry, Cumberlands has several options for degree concentration to help tailor your degree to your personal skills and interests.
Looking to double-major or possibly add a minor to your degree in communication arts? Consider a major that will complement or enhance the knowledge and skills you’ll gain from studying communications. Some good examples are computer sciences, English or a different language, psychology, political science, and business administration. But you aren’t limited to these options; you’re free to choose any major or minor!
Faculty Experts in Communications
Learn more about your future communications professors.

John Varley

Robert Floyd

Jeremiah Massengale
Jeremiah Massengale
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