Online Bachelor of Arts Communication Arts

The Communication Arts Department is committed to providing students with the best possible academic experiences to assist them in achieving their goals and prepare them for the future. Both first-time college students and those returning to school to expand their knowledge will find a large array of opportunities designed to enhance their horizons intellectually, culturally and socially.

This program includes current case study coursework taught by outstanding faculty who will help prepare you for careers in which where leadership and a big-picture perspective are essential to managing change.

The faculty and staff of the Communication Arts Department are invested in the personal and academic growth of every student and we support individual success through quality teaching. We want every graduate to excel in a digital, global age in which communication is vital to success. 

Degree Objectives

Students enrolled in this degree can expect to develop communication skills essential for leadership roles as directors of communication in either the public or private sectors. The degree will emphasize solid theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of:

• Conflict Management

• Organizational Communication

• Leadership Communication

• Interpersonal Communication

• International Business Communication

• Advanced Public Speaking

• Small Group Communication

• Persuasion

• Managerial Communication

• Political Communication

• Social Media

• Gender Communication

• Communication Ethics

• Communication Theory

• Intercultural Communication

Wages & Employment Trends for those in Communications

The bachelor's degree in Communication Arts with a track in Organizational Communication Studies will open doors to jobs in which communication is key to managing change. Employment of advertising, promotions and marketing managers is expected to grow 14 percent through 2020, and employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow 23 percent through 2020 ( Occupational Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Florida Median income:  $97,800  
Florida rate of growth:  +10%  
National Median wages:  $91,800  
National Projected growth:  +16%

Source and more information:   O Net OnLine

Program Completion Requirements

Total Credits: 120 
Communication Arts Credits: 60

This flexible degree program has minimal prerequisites, allowing you to select classes and schedules that work for you. The only course in the program to have a prerequisite is Advance Public Speaking, SPC 3602.Otherwise, you can take your courses in any order you choose. The prerequisite for this course is Introduction to Public Speaking, SPC 2608.

If you are an entering freshman or a transfer student, who has not yet earned an Associate’s degree, you must complete the 60 credits of general education courses, in addition to the 60 credits for the BA in Communication Arts. However, you are able to mix in Communication Arts classes while fulfilling the general education requirement.

If you have completed an associate’s degree from an accredited Florida institution, you will move directly into completing required courses for the BA in Communication Arts.  If your associate's degree is from outside the state of Florida or from a private institution within the state, your credits will be examined on a case-by-case basis to ensure they meet Florida International University's core curriculum requirements. 

Organizational Communications Studies Track Courses

The following courses are required to the BA in Communication Arts: Organizational Communication Studies Track. The courses can be completed in any order you choose. There is one prerequisite, SPC 2608, that must be completed before SPC 3602.

Advanced Public Speaking   SPC 3602
Examines public speaking as a workplace activity and provides students with practical experience. Emphasis is placed on incorporating technology into the different types of speeches.  
Prerequisite: SPC 2608

Business and Professional Communication   COM 3110  
Students will learn to identify communication situations specific to business and the professions and analyze variables related to communication objectives and the preparation of oral presentations and business correspondence.

Intercultural/Interracial Communication   COM 3461
Students develop the skills to build and maintain relationships across cultures by focusing on similarities and differences in communication behaviors, perceptions, language usage and social practices.

Interpersonal Communication   SPC 3301
Through an awareness of self, students explore the role communication plays in maintaining healthy relationships, including: romantic relationships, friendships, and relationships with family members and colleagues.

Organizational Communication  COM 3120
Explores the role of communication in organizations, as well as the role of technology, corporate culture, leadership, teamwork, ethics and diversity in effective communication among organizations.

Persuasion   SPC 3540
Attitude formation and change are explored in order to identify how individuals process and act on information. Social influence theories/techniques and their ethical implications are also examined.

Communication Theory   SPC 3210
Comprehensive introduction to the study of human communication processes including verbal and nonverbal modalities. Key historical and contemporary definitions and concepts in communication theory are reviewed.

Communication for Effective Leadership  SPC 4445 
This course emphasizes the oral communication and leadership skills that are essential for the business community.

Conflict Management  COM 4462
Students will analyze conflict management concepts, principles, strategies and techniques and examine the communication skills needed for productive conflict management or resolution.

Rhetorical Communication: A Theory of Civil Discourse  SPC 3230
This course examines the power of language over the course of history and how leaders (admired and not) have risen to power as a result of rhetoric.

Interviewing Principles and Practices and Lab   COM 4346 + Lab  
Prepares students for their professional careers in the areas of information gathering and employment interviews and an online portfolio. Prerequisites: Junior standing

In addition to the above 11 courses (33 credits), five (5) courses from the list below are required. You may select any five courses you wish to fulfill this requirement. Required courses from the list above and electives from the list below can be taken at any time. The required courses do not have to be completed prior to taking the communication electives below. 

If you require more than 5 courses (15 credits) to reach the total of 120 credits required for graduation, then choose additional courses from the list below to reach the 120 credit graduation requirement.

Artistic Expression in a Global Society   IDS 3336  
The interrelatedness of societies and culture through language, music and art is explored to foster an appreciation of how individuals convey thought and respond to events from various perspectives.

Small Group Communication   SPC 3425
The study of group development, group roles, decision-making, leadership, power and conflict management.

Crisis Communication   COM 3230
This course examines the communication variables involved in crisis planning, and management.  ​There are many facets of crisis communication, therefore this course helps you learn the necessary skills to develop a communication plan to effectively respond to a crisis.

Social Media’s Impact on Communication  COM 3471
This course will examine “social media” from a communication perspective, with a focus on how media technologies influence the way we communicate (verbally and nonverbally) with others.

International Business Communication  COM 4430
This course will provide students with the theoretical and experiential framework for examining the meaning of communication in global business.

Managerial Communication  COM 3135
Students examine effective communication in hiring and promoting, conflict, community interaction and the internal communication of an organization.

Communication on Ethics  COM 4620
Students will examine conceptual perspectives for understanding and evaluating communication ethics in interpersonal relationships, small groups, organizations and within intercultural contexts.

Gender and Communication   SPC 3711  
Using text and films, this course examines the different styles of verbal and non-verbal communication used by men and women in various settings.

Human Communication   COM 3003
This course provides a theoretical foundation of communication in areas such as interpersonal, small group, organizational and intellectual communication, providing students an overview to the field.

Nonverbal Communication  COM 3404
Study of nonlinguistic and paralinguistic aspects of communication, including personal space, body language, eye contact, touch and paralanguage.

Organizational Change  COM 4124
This course introduces students to different concepts of organizational change management and provides strategies for mitigating organizational risks for any initiative.

Political Communication  COM 4510
This course examines the effect of both (free) political news and (paid) political advertising on politics in America.

To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our enrollment advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.

FIU Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted for Spring, Fall and Summer terms.

Steps to Apply

First Year Students

Please submit the following:

• Online application

• $30 application fee.

• Official SAT or ACT scores.

• Official high school transcripts.

Transfer Students

Please submit the following:

• Online application

• $30 application fee.

• Official college transcripts.

• If you have less than 60 transferable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores in addition to any transcripts from postsecondary schools to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

International Students

 In addition to the above requirements, international applicants should submit:

• Official English Language Proficiency exam scores (TOEFL or IELTS).

• Official translations of any transcripts, if not in English.

• If you have less than 60 transferrable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts with translation.

Returning Students

Returning students must meet the current university and degree-specific requirements to be admitted.

For more details, FIU has policies for students who left FIU .

Please submit the following:

• Online application

• $30 application fee.

• Official sealed copy of your previous institution transcript (must be sealed and in hard copy format)

Program Admission Requirements

Advising

Our Academic Advisors provide guidance as you work towards realizing your personal and professional goals related to their education and careers.

Walk-In Advising is generally available: Tuesday's from 1:30pm – 4:00pm and Thursdays from 9:00am – 11:00am.

It is also available during Early Registration periods, and at the start of each new semester during the first week of classes. Please check your advisor’s calendar for availability via your student dashboard.

Appointments should be scheduled via your student dashboard. They can also be scheduled by contacting the Communication Arts Department office at 305-348-7645 or stopping by VH 206. For general advising questions, students can email us at cartaadv@fiu.edu.

Admissions Guidelines

• Minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) 2.0

• Admittance to the university or completion of an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited institution

Admission Documents

To complete the online undergraduate programs admissions form, select your program from the application form. You may complete the online application and submit it, even before taking any entrance exams. All supporting admission documents may be sent to:


Florida International University

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

P.O. Box 659003

Miami, FL 33265-9003

USA



FIU also accepts transcripts electronically via:

• Faster (All FL public institutions)

• Naviance (Typically used by private high schools)

• SMART/Joint Service Transcript – Military records

*Meeting the university minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.

Led by department chair, Maria Elena Villar, the Communication Arts faculty at FIU represents the diverse nature of communication. With research interests ranging from social media to public debate, to crisis management, to conflict resolution, they bring a wealth of talent to the curriculum.

María Elena Villar is associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication at the School of Communication + Journalism at Florida International University and teaches courses in communication theory, research methods, multicultural communication, and advanced seminars in strategic communications. She holds a doctorate in communications and master’s in public health from the University of Miami, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Columbia University. Her research focuses on culturally competent communication for social and behavioral change, and on strategic communication for diverse audiences.