Program Details
BA in Communication
Bachelor of ArtsRadford University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If 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 following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The Communication Major is designed to prepare undergraduate students for the future in two ways. First, students are prepared to become professional communicators. The professional communicator role involves, but is not limited to, public relations, training, investor relations, human resources, community relations, crisis management, and governmental or legislative relations. Second, students are prepared to make contributions to a variety of organizations from a communication perspective. Students have the opportunity to develop special knowledge and skill with regard to conflict, groups, leadership, relationships, public relations, political campaigns, organizations, etc. Whichever path students choose, they can be assured that communication knowledge and skills are highly valued. Communication majors choose one of two concentrations leading to the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree. The concentrations are Public Relations and Communication Studies.
Program Overview & Guidance

| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes This program has a foreign language requirement. To graduate with a major in Communication, a student must have a grade point average of 2.25 or higher for all courses taken with a COMS prefix. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Radford University 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.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who complete an approved VCCS transfer-oriented associate degree (AA, AS, AA&S, or a SCHEV-approved General Studies transfer degree) are considered to have satisfied Radford’s Core/REAL lower-division general education requirements. Students must still complete all other University, college, departmental, major-specific, prerequisite, and Radford residency requirements. You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Radford awards credit for AP, CLEP, and IB when official scores meet Radford criteria; AP/CLEP scores and IB courses are evaluated like transfer credit. Dual enrollment credit requires an official college transcript. Students may also seek prior-learning credit for professional work or life experience, military training, CLEP, departmental challenge exams, and national certification exams. Students should submit official scores, transcripts, or Joint Services Transcripts, and confirm with the Registrar/transfer team or academic advisor how awarded credit applies to their degree and major requirements. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Radford University is a medium-sized public residential university in the city of Radford in southwest Virginia, with 7,837 students, 608 enrolled degree-seeking transfer students in Fall 2025, and an average class size of 20. Students learn across seven colleges and a growing Honors College, with 75 bachelor’s degree programs in 47 disciplines and academic options on the main Radford campus, Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, and online. Incoming freshmen on the main campus are required to live on campus for two academic years unless exempt; transfer and RUC students are welcome to live on campus but are not required. Students can get involved through 200+ clubs and organizations, Division I athletics, outdoor recreation opportunities, and transfer-focused options such as Tartan Transfer. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Generally, transfer students use the catalog year in effect when they first enroll at Radford University; under the VCCS/Radford GAA, students may request the catalog from the time of first post-high-school enrollment in an eligible VCCS associate degree, subject to GAA conditions. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the academic catalog year the student enters Radford University. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | VCCS/Radford GAA: Complete an eligible transfer-oriented associate degree, earn a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, be in good academic and disciplinary standing, follow normal transfer admission timelines, and submit official transcripts from all colleges attended plus a final official transcript showing associate-degree completion. There are no GAA testing requirements and Radford does not charge an application fee. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate in Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Visual Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| New River Community College | Associate of Art in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| New River Community College | Associate of Art in Liberal Arts-Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| New River Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts-Visual Communication Design Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts - Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Hybrid |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts - Music | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Hybrid |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts - Appalachian Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Online |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Art Degree in Liberal Arts Major in Art | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts - Major in Theatre | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - Major in Music | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Art History, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Anthropology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Communication, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Economics, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | English, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Environmental and Sustainability Studies, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Foreign Languages, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Global Affairs, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Human Development and Family Science, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid, Online |
| George Mason University | History, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Integrative Studies, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Philosophy, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Psychology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Religious Studies, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Russian and Eurasian Studies, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Sociology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Creative Writing, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Government and International Politics, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | International Security and Law, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid, Online |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in FL in Arabic | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in FL in Classical Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in English in Creative Writing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in English | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Human Development in Early Childhood Development and Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Human Development | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in English in English | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in English | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Education-Secondary Educ in English Language Arts Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Education in Secondary Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Public & Urban Affairs in Environmental Policy and Planning | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Public and Urban Affairs | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in FL in French | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in FL in German | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Education-Secondary Educ in History and Social Sciences Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Education in Secondary Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Human Development in Human Development | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Human Development | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Religion and Culture in Humanities for Public Service | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Culture | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Philosophy in Philosophy | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Philosophy in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Religion and Culture in Religion and Culture | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Culture | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in FL in Russian | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Public & Urban Affairs in Smart and Sustainable Cities | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Public and Urban Affairs | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in FL in Spanish | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in English in Technical and Scientific Communication | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in English | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Danville Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: Art History Major, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: Communication Studies Major, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: English Major, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: International Studies Major, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: Deaf Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Theatre Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, Communication Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1199.00 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | All postsecondary teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete

