Bachelor of Art vs. Bachelor of Science in Communications at UofL Online

The University of Louisville’s Online Learning division offers prospective students the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree in Communications. Offered as a BA or BS, both communication degrees are effective in preparing online students for a wide range of career opportunities. However, deciding which degree path to pursue can be a personal choice based on your individual career goals. 

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on the overall enhancement of oral and written communication skills, as well as developing your understanding of how we as humans communicate with one another, combined with courses in liberal arts and a variety of additional elective options. The (BS) in Communications deepens your knowledge of skills in such areas as copywriting, public speaking and focuses more on a student’s targeted career path within the communications field.

Highlighted below is a breakdown of the two communication degree options offered at UofL, along with career outcomes and potential internship opportunities.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication:

The BA in Communication is offered in a 121 credit-hour format. The BA requires 18 hours in core communication disciplines and 18 hours in communication electives, focusing on delivering a wider breath of knowledge in areas like foreign language and liberal arts. Students interested in pursuing their BA in communications gain a broader understanding of how we communicate with one another with additional core requirements in a foreign language and other social science areas (such as sociology, psychology or women’s, gender and sexuality studies).

Graduates from the B.A. in Communication have a broader understanding of the communication field as a whole and the option to pursue multiple career paths. Some options of potential career opportunities for graduate from this degree include; TV and cable companies, radio stations, advertising agencies, news organizations, print publishing companies, event firms and many more. 

Bachelor of Science in Communication:

The BS in Communication is offered in a 121 credit-hour format as well. However, the BS option requires 27 hours in core communication disciplines and 21 hours in communication electives. This degree option focuses more on applied communication with core requirements in areas like copywriting, newswriting, public speaking, debate and more. In addition to a more targeted track option within the communication field of study, students are also required to complete an internship (3 credits) in order to graduate. By requiring a mandatory internship, students will gain hands-on experience within their chosen field of interest. Along with the internship requirement, additional core communication courses are required in the following classes:

• Comm 302 – Advanced Speech Communication or 319 Debate (3 credits) – Advanced principals of public speaking
• Comm 320, 323, or 344 (3 credits) – Study and practice of newswriting and reporting techniques for routine news stories, including story organization, writing story leads, and the elements of hard news and feature journalism.

The University’s communication and advising departments work with online students in the BS Communications track to find internships that are best suited for their professional goals. Several examples of current internship opportunities for communication majors include:

• Family Scholar House: Nonprofit Administration Intern - Assisting with community representation, program oversight and data analysis
• Clontz Capital/Brothers Who Flip: Production Assistant - YouTube Channel production and management, including, filming schedules, filming logistics and equipment operation. 
• MoDuet: Digital Marketing Internship - Create and implement digital marketing strategies, including, website content, social media content, PPC and paid digital marketing  

Visit the Internship Portal for a complete list of available internship opportunities for communication majors.

Earning a degree in communication opens the doors to ample career opportunities. No matter which communications degree path you choose, a BS or a BA, the expertise you develop in analyzing and implementing communication methods will afford graduates the opportunity to increase their portfolio within the communications field.

Our graduates go on to succeed in a variety of careers—from producer to technical writer to HR manager to podcast personality and so much more. Many career paths chosen by communication graduates increase their annual salary as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, if you chose a career as an editor, the median annual salary is $63,400. Or an advertising or marketing manager with minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree, the median annual salary is $141,490 with the expected growth rate in the U.S. to be an above average 6% between 2019 and 2029 (bls.gov).

No matter where you are in your pursuit of your degree, the University of Louisville’s Online Learning department is here to help you succeed. With three application deadline options, rolling admissions and three term start dates – the options for incoming or transferring students are plentiful. To begin or continue your degree in this field – start your application today, by clicking here. For a complete list of all programs offered online, visit the UofL Online website for more information.