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Communication Arts

The ability to get your message across is key to any successful venture, in work and in life. In this program, you’ll strengthen your skills in all forms of communication, including writing, reading, speaking, listening, video, graphics, and more.

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man holding camera

Types

Associate
Bachelor
Minor

Location

On-Campus
Online

Credits

42*

Cost

$9,875
$220/credit hour

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.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$62,340

Average Salary

6%

Industry Growth

70+

Newspaper Awards

22

Debate Champions
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

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. 

General Education Requirements

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

Anchor: Mission & Goals

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.

Develop stronger critical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Sharpen your writing and presentation skills.
Use a variety of broadcast technology.
Create content for news outlets, social media, websites, speeches, and more.
Work well in a team to accomplish common goals.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

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.

Anchor: FAQs

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! 

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Communications

Learn more about your future communications professors.

John Varley

John Varley

Adjunct Faculty
Communication Arts

John Varley

Contact Information

john.varley [at] ucumberlands.edu
Robert Floyd

Robert Floyd

Assistant Professor
Communication Arts

Robert Floyd

Contact Information

606-539-5566
robert.floyd [at] ucumberlands.edu
Jeremiah Massengale

Jeremiah Massengale

Assistant Professor, Director of Journalism, Faculty Advisor for The Patriot (Campus Newspaper)
Communication Arts

Jeremiah Massengale

Contact Information

606-539-4527
jeremiah.massengale [at] ucumberlands.edu
GCR 109
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