Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies

Bachelor of Arts
Roanoke College

Communication is in high demand among college students today, both for its roots in speech and journalism and for its role in the technological revolution.  Both in the classroom and through hands-on work outside the classroom, students study the communication process and how it contributes to the development of information and meaning, human relationships, and culture.  In addition to critical thinking courses like research methodology and rhetorical theory, the major encompasses such dynamic areas of study as interpersonal communication and journalism.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree Take a liberal arts approach to the dynamic and varied discipline of Communications.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Useful choices for transfer credit: any communications courses. Transferring some foreign language courses will help students finish that college requirement faster.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Roanoke College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Students have room to double major with other interests ranging from Business to Psychology to Theatre.
Program Successes & Highlights Our students work in mass media, public communications, and organizational communications.
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
134
BA Communication Studies
134
Complete courses from the following Category:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 66 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education
58
First Year Seminar 1
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
First Year Seminar 2
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Inquiry Core
28
Earn 28 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Intensive Learning
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Foreign Language
12
Earn 12 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Inquiry Capstone
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Wellness Health
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Wellness Activity
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Communication Core
40
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 20 credits may be applied to this program.
Introduction
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Theory
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Rhetorical Traditions
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Methods
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Theory & Criticism
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Seminar
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Intermediate Level
8
Earn 8 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Communication Electives
8
Earn 8 credits by completing courses from the following Subject:
Free Electives
36
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between Roanoke College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Courses completed as part of an associate's degree or general education certificate will be evaluated by our Registrar at admission, and appropriate transfer credits will be awarded. Nearly all general education requirements can be completed with transfer credits.

Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university taken as dual enrollment while in high school will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. Up to three additional World Language courses can satisfy the language requirement. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer.
Credit for Prior Learning In general, Roanoke does not offer credit for prior learning outside of higher education coursework. Military training transcripted by an accredited institution of higher education is accepted.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Roanoke College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
90
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
The average enrolled transfer student has a college transfer GPA of 3.12, and 58% of transfer applicants are admitted.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Roanoke has about 2000 students, mostly undergraduates. Classes are small, averaging 17 students, with a real commitment to teaching and supporting students. Expect close personal interactions with faculty and staff members who get to know you. Active athletic and recreational opportunities are part of the college as are a wide range of student clubs and activities.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. VCCS transfer students may choose a catalog from the two years prior to their first term of attendance if desired.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year for freshmen is determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Expected transfer students should notify the admissions office as soon as possible, so we can provide advice on courses which will transfer.
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Marymount University Communication (BA)BachelorBachelor of Art4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeCommunication, Technology & Culture Major - BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeCommunication Studies (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Communication MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeLiberal Arts: Communication Studies Specialization, A.A.AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - General Studies (Professional Communication)AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Science Degree Communications MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
27-3011.00Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc JockeysSpeak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
25-1122.00Communications Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
27-3041.00EditorsPlan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
13-1131.00FundraisersOrganize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-2033.00Fundraising ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.Management Occupations
27-3023.00News Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsNarrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-3043.05Poets, Lyricists and Creative WritersCreate original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
11-2032.00Public Relations ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.Management Occupations
27-3031.00Public Relations SpecialistsPromote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-3043.00Writers and AuthorsOriginate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 134 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at Roanoke College
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $18,020 Per Semester $144,160 $0 $144,160 This list price is for full time enrollment, per semester. Almost all students receive financial aid, creating a lower net price. The most recent average net price in our federal report is $14,585 per semester.
Fees
Technology Fee $420 Per Semester $3,360 0 $3,360 For students living on campus, this fee increases to $565.
Student Activity Fee $345 Per Semester $2,760 0 $2,760 For full time students, per semester
Wellness Fee $104 Per Semester $832 0 $832
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Additional fees
    • Additional fees may include: $150 one time orientation fee, $150 parking fee per year.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.