Communication is one of the top skills that employers look for when hiring new workers, which might explain why Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri are so popular today. Missouri is home to both large cities and small towns that all have a need for workers. Those companies hire employees with college degrees to work in their public relations and advertising departments as well as in other departments. Graduates can work for their own companies and work in different positions within the media too. Students not only learn about interpersonal communications in these programs but online and nonverbal communications also.
First, see:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Missouri (A-L)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Missouri (M-S)
Truman State University
Majors & Minors
Truman State University, also called TSU and Truman State, offers a number of opportunities for communications majors. It has a Forensic Union team that competes in speech and debate tournaments and events every year. Students can work together to improve their skills before traveling to competitions. The university offers two of the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri that provide students with a strong communications foundation and gives them the chance to gain some practical experience. While some graduates attend law or graduate school, others work for companies and employers such as CBS Radio and The Wall Street Journal.
Communications Major & Minor
Students majoring in communications at Truman State can narrow down their academic focus to a specific area such as journalism or public communication. The university also offers a concentration in general communications for students who want to study different communications fields. Students who score high on a comprehensive exam and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher can graduate with honors. Though the university offers a minor in communications, those who major in this field will take 39 credits of core and concentration courses. They will take classes that include News Reporting and Writing and Communication and Democracy.
Communication Disorders Major
The Communication Disorders program that Truman State offers allows students to study the disorders that affect the way individuals communicate with each other. Students can do their own research projects and earn credit for the study abroad programs available from the university. More than 85% of the graduates of this program attend graduate school, and some of those students also earn doctoral degrees. Truman State University has its own Speech and Hearing Clinic that students can work at too. The university recently added a new Data Clinic that allows students to do research and work also.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
101 E. Normal Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4000
University of Central Missouri
Majors
When designing a communication studies program, the University of Central Missouri wanted to create a major that was more flexible than some of the other Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri. This program allows students to customize their majors based on what interests they have and what they want to study. Though all students must take some required classes, they can take courses from any related discipline too. The University of Central Missouri is a public university that often goes by UCM. It has a low class size and a ratio of just 20 students to every professor on its campus.
Communication Studies, Bachelor of Science Degree
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from UCM, students must do a final capstone project. They can pick a topic that appeals to them and either do research to write a paper or conduct a final project on that subject. The work they do must demonstrate the skills they learned in this program. Students also take required classes, including Improving Listening Abilities and Interpersonal Communication. Communication Research Methods is a course that teaches them how to do research in the social sciences field, and they must take this class before doing any capstone work.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
P.O. Box 800,
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(877) 729-8266
University of Missouri Columbia
Department of Communication
The Department of Communication at the University of Missouri Columbia is a division within its College of Arts and Sciences. Graduates will earn their degrees from this college. The University of Missouri Columbia is a public university and a branch of the University of Missouri that most call UMC. Unlike other Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri that allow students to declare a major as soon as they enroll, UMC requires that students take certain classes before declaring a major. They must take an Introduction to Communication class and receive a B- or higher in that class and earn a C- or higher in both math and English classes.
Undergraduate Program in Communication
Once a student declares a major in communication and enters this undergraduate program, they must pick a focus area in interpersonal and family communication, mediated communication, organizational communication or political communication. UMC also offers focus areas in health and crisis communication and identity, diversity and communication. Though the focus areas they pick will determine some of the required courses and electives they will take, all majors must take specific courses such as Survey of Communication Studies and Mass Media Theory. The university also offers unique classes that include Message Design and Writing for the Media.
Bachelor of Health Science
UMC also offers a Bachelor of Health Science program that allows students to focus on Communication Science and Disorders. Designed for those who want to work with clients and patients who have speech, hearing and language issues, this program features a practicum that allows students to work directly with patients in a clinical setting. Admission to this program is quite selective, and students must apply at the beginning of the second semester during their sophomore year. The university will look at the grades the student received and the courses he or she took to determine if the student can enter the program.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
108 Switzler Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-4431
Undergraduate Program in Communication
University of Missouri Kansas City
College of Arts and Sciences
Another branch of the University of Missouri that offers communication degree programs is the University of Missouri Kansas City. Located in one of the largest cities in the state, this university makes it easy for students to gain experience through practical fieldwork and internships that are available from leading employers in Kansas City. Also called UMKC, this public university has small class sizes and an affordable tuition rate. Students who complete the FAFSA before enrolling can get financial aid from the university itself and from both the federal and state governments. The university offers two of the best Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri.
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts
One of the two programs this university offers is a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts. The university encourages students to do their own projects and videos before they graduate. They can get hands-on help from their professors and use their peers to help with their productions. This program features 48 credits of electives and required courses, including Introduction to Film and Video Production, Introduction to Film Theory, Foundation Digital Design and Intermediate Media Production. UMKC asks students to take at least two classes in film production and film studies too.
Journalism and Mass Communication Program
The Journalism and Mass Communication Program that UMKC offers is one of the top programs for students who want to gain journalism experience while in college. Students can focus their studies on either one of these fields or on advertising and public relations, but they’ll have the chance to take classes from all three disciplines. The program asks students to take 15 credits of required classes, including Introduction to Modern Communications Media and Research Seminar in Communication Studies. Students must also take 18 credits of electives. They can pick electives such as Documentary Film History, Principles of Advertising and Electronic Journalism.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
202 Haag Hall
5100 Rockhill Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 235-1337
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts
Journalism and Mass Communication Program
University of Missouri Saint Louis
Majors & Degrees
The University of Missouri Saint Louis is a branch of the UM system that goes by the name of UMSL. It offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Communication. Students at the undergraduate level will find that they can develop the skills needed at the graduate level and easily make the transition into the university’s graduate program. UMSL made its program quite flexible and allows students to take classes from almost any department or discipline for credit towards a bachelor’s degree. The university offers a degree plan that students can follow to complete their degrees in four full years.
BA Communication
UMSL offers both a BA in Communication and a BS in Media Studies. As one of the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri, this program allows students to take media studies classes too. Students will typically take between 12 and 16 credits of classes each semester to graduate within four years. Though they can do internships, many students take fewer classes while doing an internship, which helps them focus on their fieldwork. Most communications courses are worth three credits and include options such as Communication in the Organization, Research Methods in Communication, Intercultural Communication and Introduction to Media Studies.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
1 University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4400
(314) 516-5000
Washington University in Saint Louis
Majors & Programs
Students who want to work for major production houses and studios like Nickelodeon and A&E Television Network may want to study at Washington University in Saint Louis. This small university has connections to some of the biggest names in the business and can help students land internships at those networks and studios. The university also offers help for students who want to work in the media. They can get credit for the work they do for a local newspaper or television station and for the work they do online too. Washington University in Saint Louis also has debate and communications teams.
Journalism & Communication
Students who want to take both journalism and communications classes should look at Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri like this one. These two fields are closely connected, and the courses that students take will help them find work in many different fields. The university encourages students to take classes from other departments and schools, including the Olin Business School and the College of Art. Students can take classes such as Foundations of Journalism, Reputation Management, Foundations of Communications and Writing for Business Communications. They can also sign up for special topics classes that look at a new and unique area each semester.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
One Brookings Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63130
(314) 935-6000
Webster University
School of Communications
The School of Communications at Webster University offers 17 different Bachelor of Arts programs for communications majors. Students can select a major in Film, Television and Video Production to learn more about producing and directing shows, but they can also major in Film Studies or Global Journalism. The university also offers a Professional Writing program for those who want to write for a living and a program designed for future screenwriters. Once students pick a major, they can take classes from any of the other programs. Webster University also offers 13 minors for these students, including journalism and film studies.
Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Marketing Communications (B.A.)
One of the top majors for students attending Webster University is Advertising and Marketing Communications. This program awards graduates a Bachelor of Arts degree and allows them to gain practical experience through an internship at the same time that they take classes through the university. Students in this program will complete a portfolio in a concentration area such as copywriting, art direction or planning and strategy. They’ll take four courses from within one of these disciplines. The program features a capstone and 16 required classes, including Introduction to Marketing Communication, Advertising Research and The Law and the Media.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63119
United States of America
(800) 981-9801
Westminster College
Academics
Westminster College offers one of the only Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri that allows students to choose a minor in sport communication. Designed for those who want to work as athletes and trainers, this program prepares students for communicating with others on and off the court or field. It includes courses that teach students about writing for specific sources too. They can take classes like Single-Camera Video Production and Writing for Electronic Media. Students will also do a Broadcast Practicum and work for a local or national news organization that focuses on sports news and then complete a capstone.
Communication Studies
Communication Studies majors at Westminster College will learn more about communicating with others on a personal and a professional level. The program features five core classes that include Mass Communications and Small Group Communications. Students must also do an internship or take a Field Experience course and do work in the field. While some students will take electives that count towards a sport communication minor, other students will study general communications ideas. They can take classes such as Professional Presentations, Political Communication and Applied Social Media. The college also offers a Social Media and Web Planning class for communication majors.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
319 S. Market St.
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(800) 942-8033
William Jewel College
Programs
William Jewel College uses the slogan, “The Critical Thinking College” to show incoming students that they will develop sharp critical thinking skills before they graduate. Students in all its degree programs take courses designed to change the way they think about specific issues and become more knowledgeable about a range of subjects. Communications majors can do internships with leading companies and firms, which will provide them with practical skills they can use in the field and connections they can use to find jobs. Former students worked for companies that include Sporting Kansas City and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Communication
One of the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri for students who want to attend graduate school or go right to work is the program offered by William Jewel College. Every student in this program will do at least one internship, though students can do multiple internships for different companies. Their supervisors will fill out an appraisal form that lets them and the college know how well they worked. The college also allows students to earn credit for some of the clubs they do. Most communication majors receive credit for joining the debate team and working for the newspaper.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
500 College Hill
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 771-7700
William Woods University
Communications
William Woods University has connections to major employers across the state and can help students find both job opportunities and internships. Some of its graduates now work for local news stations and athletic organizations. Often called WWU and William Woods, the university has an active Greek system that many students join during their college years. Those organizations offer students even more chances to make connections in the communications field. William Woods places a strong emphasis on the liberal arts and requires that all students take religion and philosophy classes as well as science and humanities courses before they graduate.
Bachelor of Science in Communication
Like other Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri, the William Woods program requires that students take certain required classes as well as courses within the program itself. They must take the 18 credits that make up the communications core and 12 credits of electives that relate to one of the four concentrations available. Those concentrations include digital filmmaking, public relations, leadership, and media journalism. The core program features courses such as Introduction to Communication and Survey of Production Techniques. Students must earn a C or higher in the introduction course to continue in the program. The university also encourages students to do internships.
Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
One University Ave.
Fulton, MO 65251
(800) 995-3159
Missouri colleges accept both students who live in the state and those who lived in other states. Those students will learn the foundations of communications and skills they can use in different fields when they complete any of the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Missouri that are now available.