What Is A BS in Communication? (Curriculum & Jobs)

A BS in Communication is a four-year undergraduate degree about how people create, share, and study messages in workplaces, media, and communities. Programs often combine general education with communication courses, electives, and practical work. Many U.S. bachelor’s programs require about 120 semester credits, but course plans, admissions rules, costs, and career options vary by college.

If you are comparing majors, the name alone will not tell you what you will study. One college may focus on digital media and public relations; another may emphasize research, communication in organizations, or media studies. The course list matters more than the degree label.

In advising students, I often see a practical concern: “Will these classes help me get a job, and will my old credits count?” Those are useful questions. The answers depend on the specific program, your goals, and how the college applies your credits.

BS in Communication Admissions and Program Overview

A BS in Communication is an undergraduate degree that studies how messages work across settings, from face-to-face conversations to social media and public campaigns. “BS” means Bachelor of Science. The degree title does not guarantee one standard curriculum, admissions rule, or career path, so check each college’s catalog and requirements.

Communication programs may also be called communication studies, communication, or strategic communication. A BS may include more research methods, data, or applied coursework than some BA programs, but this is not a universal rule. Compare required courses rather than assuming that a BS has the same meaning at every school.

What does a BS in Communication teach?

Communication courses help students plan, create, analyze, and present messages. Depending on the program, students may study public relations, journalism, digital media, organizational communication, interpersonal communication, or communication research.

The major can build skills that employers use in many fields:

• Clear writing and editing
• Public speaking and presentation
• Research and audience analysis
• Digital content planning
• Team communication and project work
• Understanding how messages affect people and organizations

A communication degree is not a guarantee of a particular job. Employers may also look for work samples, internships, software skills, and experience in a specific field.

What are the admission requirements?

There is no single GPA or test-score threshold for all BS in Communication programs. Each college sets its own first-year and transfer rules. Some schools use a broad review of grades, course choices, essays, activities, and other factors. Test policies also differ.

Before applying, check the college’s official admissions page for:

• Application and document deadlines
• Required high school or college records
• Test-score policy, if applicable
• Any portfolio, interview, or program-specific requirement
• Separate steps for scholarships or financial aid

If you are transferring, ask how the college will review your previous courses. An official transcript review is more useful than a general promise that “credits transfer.” Ask for a written evaluation and a degree plan before you commit.

How should you compare programs?

Use a short list of questions to compare colleges on the same terms. Check the course catalog, delivery format, internship options, total cost, and support for students seeking work experience.

The U.S. Department of Education provides a resource to check recognized institutional accreditors. CHEA also maintains a directory of recognized accreditors. Communication degrees do not have one universally required program-level accreditor. Check the institution and the specific program details, rather than relying on a logo or a general claim.

Communication Degree Curriculum, Credits, and Graduation Requirements

A communication degree plan usually combines general education, major courses, electives, and sometimes a concentration, internship, or capstone. A credit is a unit used to track coursework. Many U.S. bachelor’s programs require about 120 semester credits, but the catalog sets the actual total and graduation rules.

What classes are in a communication major?

A student may take courses in writing, public speaking, communication theory, media, research, and communication in organizations. The exact mix depends on the college and concentration. Review the required-course list and course descriptions to see whether the program matches your interests.

These are common areas, not a required national course list. A college may use different course names or place the same subject in an elective.

How many credits and years does the degree take?

Many U.S. bachelor’s programs use a 120-semester-credit plan. As a simple planning example, 15 credits per term for eight fall and spring terms equals 120 credits. That math does not account for summer study, failed or repeated courses, prerequisite delays, part-time attendance, or transfer credits.

Quarter-credit programs use a different scale, so do not compare quarter credits directly with semester credits. Your degree audit or official program plan should show what you still need and which courses meet each requirement.

Also ask about the residency requirement. This is the number of credits you must complete through that college to earn its degree. A college may accept a course as transfer credit without counting it toward your major or toward every graduation rule.

How do transfer credits affect time and cost?

A transfer credit may count toward the total credits needed but not toward a required major course. It may also fail to meet a prerequisite or residency rule. As a result, a student can have many accepted credits and still need extra terms to finish.

Before enrolling, request:

• An official transfer-credit evaluation
• A written list of remaining degree requirements
• Confirmation of which credits meet major and general education rules
• A likely course sequence, including prerequisites
• A net-cost estimate for the expected time to completion

This step matters because an added semester can raise tuition, fees, housing, and other costs. Do not rely only on the number of credits a college says it will accept.

What does the BS label mean compared with a BA?

A Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science are both bachelor’s degrees. In some colleges, the BS includes more courses in research, data, or applied methods, while the BA may allow more language study or electives. Other colleges make little distinction between them.

There is no universal rule that one degree is more respected or leads to better jobs. Compare the actual courses, internship access, and graduation requirements. If a job posting names a degree field, check whether it asks for communication generally or a specific skill or credential.

Academic Success, Internships, and Student Experience

Students often get more from a communication major when they connect classwork to projects, internships, and a portfolio. A portfolio is a set of work samples that shows what you can do. Program options vary, so ask what opportunities are available and whether they carry credit or extra costs.

How can you build experience while studying?

Look for ways to practice the skills you want to use after graduation. A class project, campus role, volunteer assignment, or internship may help you create work samples and learn what kinds of tasks suit you.

A useful plan is to:

• Choose electives that support a career area, such as public relations or digital media.
• Save strong writing, research, presentation, or content samples.
• Ask instructors for feedback and guidance on improving your work.
• Use career services to review your résumé and practice interviews.
• Check internship duties, schedule, pay, credit rules, and supervision before accepting.

Internships can help you learn about a field, but they do not guarantee a job. Read the requirements carefully and weigh the time commitment against coursework and paid work.

A practical student-planning example

Consider a transfer student who wants to work in public relations. This is an illustrative planning example, not a report about a specific student. The student requests an official credit evaluation, then checks whether prior writing and general education courses meet the program’s requirements.

Next, the student compares the remaining courses, internship options, and net price at each college. If some credits do not apply to the major, the student can ask for a revised degree plan before enrolling. That can reveal whether the preferred program adds time or cost.

How do you check affordability?

Compare net price, not just advertised tuition. Net price is the amount a student may pay after grants and scholarships are applied; the college’s cost information should explain what is included. Costs can include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and transportation.

Use each college’s net price information and ask about costs for your likely enrollment plan. Submit the FAFSA and any required college aid forms by the stated deadlines. Aid rules and deadlines vary, so confirm them with the college’s financial aid office.

Communication Careers, Employment Outcomes, and Graduate Options

A communication degree can support work in media, public relations, organizations, and related fields. The job you can pursue depends on your experience, skills, location, and employer requirements. Compare program outcomes carefully, since a broad list of possible job titles does not show how graduates from that program fare.

What jobs can you get with a BS in Communication?

The table below connects common areas of study with possible entry-level directions. These are examples, not guaranteed outcomes or formal job qualifications.

Job titles differ by employer. Some roles may ask for experience or specialized skills beyond the degree. Read current job postings in your area and note repeated requirements. That gives you a more grounded plan for electives, projects, and internships.

How should you judge career outcomes?

Ask colleges for program-specific graduate outcome information, including how they collected it, when they collected it, and how many graduates responded. A job-title list alone does not tell you whether graduates found work in their field, how long the search took, or what they earned.

Compare the program’s outcomes with its net cost and likely time to completion. If you are comparing two colleges, ask both for the same type of information. Broad national job data may describe an occupation, but it does not predict what a particular graduate will earn or whether they will get that job.

Is graduate school required?

A bachelor’s degree is enough for many communication-related roles, but some careers may favor or require further study. Graduate school can make sense when it supports a defined goal, such as a specialized field or a role that requires advanced training.

Before applying, check whether the job you want actually requires a graduate degree. Compare program cost, admissions rules, and career outcomes. Do not assume that more education is always needed to start a communication career.

Conclusion and FAQ

A BS in Communication can prepare you to study and create messages across media, organizations, and communities. The best fit depends on the courses, cost, experience options, and degree rules at a specific college. Before you enroll, confirm admissions steps, transfer credits, net price, and a written plan to graduate.

Is a BS in Communication a four-year degree?
It is a bachelor’s degree, often planned as four years of full-time study. Actual completion time depends on credits, course availability, and enrollment pace.

How many credits does a BS in Communication require?
Many U.S. bachelor’s programs require about 120 semester credits. The exact total depends on the college, and quarter-credit programs use a different scale.

What classes do communication majors take?
Courses may cover writing, speaking, research, media, communication theory, and organizations. Required courses vary by program.

Is a BS in Communication better than a BA?
Neither degree is universally better. Compare the required courses, experience options, and career goals at each college.

What jobs can I get with a communication degree?
Possible areas include public relations, digital media, journalism, and organizational communication. Hiring depends on the role, your skills, and your experience.

Do communication majors need an internship?
Some programs require or offer internships, while others do not. Check the catalog and ask whether an internship carries credit, pay, or added costs.

Will all my transfer credits count toward the major?
No. A college may accept credits but apply them only to electives or general education. Request a written evaluation and degree plan.

Does a BS in Communication require a specific GPA to apply?
There is no single GPA requirement for all programs. Check the current admissions rules for each college.

How do I check whether a college is accredited?
Use the U.S. Department of Education’s resource for recognized institutional accreditors. CHEA’s directory is another resource for checking recognized accreditors.

Do I need a master’s degree for a communication career?
Not for every role. Check job postings in your target field to see whether employers require or prefer graduate study.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Sterling. Visit our Meet the Team page.)