Searching the “Crossroads of the Revolution” turns up several bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that teach undergrads in a historic media market. Famously home to phonograph inventor Thomas Edison, New Jersey had the country’s first motion picture studio in Fort Lee in 1909. Films shot in New Jersey since have included War of the Worlds, The Amityville Horror, and Cinderella Man. Nowadays, New Jersey bolsters its $591.7 million GDP with media bigwigs like CNBC, NBA TV, and MLB Network. Newspapers like The Record and Ashbury Park Press are still circulated to over 90,000 readers daily. Communications grads also join New Jersey’s workforce of 4.01 million at Bauer Media Group, Jem Records, Kiswe Mobile, Prentice Hall, John Wiley & Sons, Enslow Publishing, and many more. Follow your media interests into our first half of bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey (A-M).
See our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Caldwell University
Communication and Media Studies Department
Hosting the NJ Humanities Connection on WFDU 89.1FM monthly, Caldwell University is a private, coed Catholic school opened by the Dominican Order in 1939 that’s endowed for $8.1 million to share “Sapientia et Scientia” with 2,200 Cougars in 60 majors at its 70-acre Essex County home. Caldwell was named America’s 227th safest campus on Niche, 140th best buck in Washington Monthly, and 621st top university by The Economist. The Communication and Media Studies Department currently bills $32,990 yearly for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey ranked 270th nationally by College Factual.
B.A. in Communication Arts
Chaired by Prof. Robert Mann, a 2015 GSJA First-Place Award winner, Caldwell’s B.A. in Communication Arts supplies the Tri-State Area with enthusiastic broadcasters ready for radio, television, and silver screen performance. The 120-credit curriculum capitalizes on the 12:1 student-faculty ratio for interactive courses like Video Editing, Film Genres, and Digital Journalism. Students could also publish The Courier, minor in Political Science, peruse Jennings Library, join Debate Society, earn Jane Haveron Scholarships, intern at WMBC-TV, serve with Circle K, and visit Madrid.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
120 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 618-3396
rmann@caldwell.edu
Centenary University
Communication and Fine Arts Department
Chosen for the 37th Annual Black Maria Film Festival in 2018, Centenary University is a private, coed Methodist institution founded by Johnathan Townley Crane that’s worth $156 million to serve 2,474 Cyclones from 13 nations at its 18-building Lehigh Valley campus in Money’s 72nd best town. Centenary was placed America’s 229th best service college in Washington Monthly, 528th top university by the Social Mobility Index, and 517th safest school on Niche. The Communication and Fine Arts Department reports 78 percent retention for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey ranked 191st nationally by College Factual.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
In David & Carol Lackland Center, Centenary’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication presently costs full-time students $32,092 annually for applied creative experiences using mass media platforms to address audiences. The 128-credit program advised by Prof. Matthew Mendres, a CableACE Award nominee, offers three emphases: Film Studies, Journalism, or Radio and Television. Undergrads may also edit The Quill, broadcast WNTI Radio, intern at Marvel Comics, minor in Social Media Marketing, enjoy Cent Cinema, tutor at The Writing Collaboratory, and join Prism.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
400 Jefferson Street
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
(908) 852-1400 ext.2203
wallnauc@centenaryuniversity.edu
The College of New Jersey
School of Arts and Communication
Transferred the David Sarnoff Library collection in 2010, The College of New Jersey is a selective public, residential NJAC member that’s endowed for $43.7 million to engage 6,580 full-time Lions in 50+ majors at a 289-acre, Georgian Colonial-style campus five miles from Trenton. TCNJ was proclaimed America’s 24th best value in Money magazine, 156th best university by Forbes, and 18th most loved college on The Princeton Review. The School of Arts and Communication was ranked 86th nationally by Niche for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey with 96 percent placement at VH1, Scholastic, Orion Worldwide, SyFy, and more.
Communication Studies Major
Accepting $75 applications until February 15th or November 15th, TCNJ’s Communication Studies Major lets undergrads tailor media experiences to unique areas of human interaction. The flexible, 12-course B.A. major chaired by Dr. Paul D’Angelo costs $16,571 to $28,286 yearly for four concentrations: Public/Mass Communication, Radio/TV/Film, Organizational Communication, or Interdisciplinary Health Communication. Learners could produce The Roar, deejay on WTSR 91.3FM, study in Strasbourg, join the Film Union, and land the Polansky Fellowship too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Kendall Hall 210
2000 Pennington Road
Ewing NJ, 08628
(609) 771-2338
pollock@tcnj.edu
College of Saint Elizabeth
School of Arts and Sciences
Hosting the Broadcasting & Sports Media Camp each August, the College of Saint Elizabeth is a private, women’s Catholic ACCU member and 2016 Graphic Design USA Award winner that’s endowed for $15.7 million to support 1,200 Eagles in 22 majors at the 200-acre Convent Station campus. CSE was lauded America’s #1 best institution by Dun & Bradstreet, 28th top university for women on College Choice, and 125th best value in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts and Sciences reaps a 20-yet net PayScale ROI of $290,000 from one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey with 63.2 percent acceptance.
B.A. in Communication
Presently priced at $31,620 per year, Saint Elizabeth’s B.A. in Communication follows a curriculum sequencing model to build the oral and written skills for shaping effectual media messages. The 120-credit, female-friendly degree organized by Dr. Ralph Frasca specializes content-driven courses in Public Relations or Mass Media and Broadcasting. Majors might also publish CSE News, pursue the M.A. in Social Media Design, attend the Hiroshima Peace Seminar, intern with Disney, take the stage in Dolan Performance Hall, join Mock Trial Club, and get the Vincentian Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Santa Rita Hall J
2 Convent Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 290-4327
rfrasca@cse.edu
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham
Becton College of Arts and Sciences
Featured in Ron Howard’s 2001 film A Beautiful Mind, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham is a private, nonsectarian branch endowed for $72 million that’s enrolling 2,546 undergrad Devils at a 187-acre Morris County campus replicating King Henry VII’s Hampton Court. FDU was deemed America’s 80th best college by the Equality of Opportunity Project, 198th top research institute in Forbes, and 378th best Greek life school on Niche. The Becton College of Arts and Sciences maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio in 31 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey, billing $1,272 per credit or $42,096 annually.
BA Communication Studies
Ranked 83rd nationally by College Factual, Florham’s BA Communication Studies produces media-ready practitioners for disseminating resourced info to inquiring minds. The 120-credit plan outlined by Dr. Gary Radford, the 2003 EOF Outstanding Faculty Award recipient, gives three options: Human Communication, Multimedia Journalism, or Public Relations. Other opportunities include exchanging to Wroxton College, writing The Pillar, running WFDM 91.9FM, joining Scribbler’s Literary Society, pursuing the Five-Year BA/MA, interning at Sony Music, and declaring Honors.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Zenner Building 250
285 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940
(973) 443-8648
gradford@fdu.edu
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan
School of Art and Media Studies
Granted three 2018 NJ Press Foundation Awards for The Equinox, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan is the private, coed NEC member’s flagship 266-acre location straddling the Hackensack River that’s recently raised $50 million to better serve 4,114 undergrad Knights. FDU was judged America’s 10th best university by Hispanic Outlook, 86th most liberal college on Niche, and 124th top investment in Money magazine. Linked to two-time Pulitzer winner Gilbert Gaul, the School of Art and Media Studies has a 66 percent six-year graduation rate for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey placed 234th nationally on College Factual.
B.A. in Communication
Admitting an average GPA of 3.07, Metropolitan’s B.A. in Communication explores the nature of social interactions from an intercultural context to skillfully engage in today’s media culture. The 39-credit major headed by Dr. Karen Buzzard currently charges $39,686 yearly for four NYC Metro tracks: Broadcasting, Radio Management, Digital Editing & Production, and Convergent Journalism. Undergrads could also publish Knightscapes, join Lambda Pi Eta, staff WFDU 89.1FM, attend Schering-Plough Lectures, travel to Chengdu, and minor in Computer Graphics.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Robison Hall 23
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 692-2416
ksb@fdu.edu
Felician University
School of Arts & Sciences
Home to the 1,500-seat John Breslin, Jr. Theatre with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, Felician University is a private, civic-engaged Catholic AFCU member founded in 1942 that’s endowed for $6.2 million to enlighten 2,300 Golden Falcons at its Rutherford, Lodi, Edison, and Newton sites. Felician was chosen for America’s 489th best dorms on Niche, 446th topPh.D.D completion rate in Washington Monthly, and 228th highest mid-career salary by PayScale. The School of Arts & Sciences follows Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska’s liberal arts vision for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey positioned 142nd nationally by College Factual.
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
At the Lodi Campus, Felician’s Bachelor of Arts in Communications applies Catholic ethics in preparing undergrads paying $15,645 per semester for the development and distribution of creative storytelling works. The 120-credit, transfer-friendly degree overseen by Dr. Mara Zukowski builds on core courses like Faith & Reason in two pathways: Journalism/Media and Videomaking. Majors may also stream WRFC Radio, publish Focus, join Social Issues Club, volunteer with Eva’s Village, become UN Fellows, semester at Seisen University, and access eCompanion.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Kirby Hall 321
262 South Main Street
Lodi, NJ 07644
(201) 559-6198
zukowskim@felician.edu
Georgian Court University
School of Business & Digital Media
Bestowed the 2017 NCAA Team Works Service Award, Georgian Court University is a small private, Catholic “College of Distinction” run by the Sisters of Mercy that’s budgeting $46 million to train 2,122 Lions across 33 majors at the 156-acre Lakewood estate of George Jay Gould. GCU was praised America’s 368th safest campus on Niche, 21st most value-added institution in Washington Monthly, and 283rd top university by the Social Mobility Index. The School of Business & Digital Media requires a minimum 820 SAT score or equivalent for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that ranked 337th nationally on College Factual.
B.A. in Digital Communication
Coordinated by Dr. Gina Marcello, an NJCA Past President, Georgian Court’s B.A. in Digital Communication covers the multitude of 21st-century computer innovations that revolutionize how people interrelate. The 42-credit major sequences courses like Visual Literacy, Web Design, Sound Editing, and Media Law for full-time annual tuition of $31,416. Students could publish The Court Report, run the YouTube Channel, become Emerging Leaders, join Da Poetry Corner, compete with Model UN, intern at Townsquare, tour Thailand, and earn OceanFirst Scholarships too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Jeffries Hall 204
900 Lakewood Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 987-2724
gmarcello@georgian.edu
Kean University
College of Liberal Arts
Registering 160+ clubs on Cougar Link, such as Morris Ave PR, Kean University is a public, state-funded NJAC teaching institution opened in 1855 as Newark Normal School that’s now endowed for $14.5 million to instruct 13,276 undergrads in 50 majors just 13 miles from Manhattan. Kean was noticed for America’s 236th most diversity on Niche, 409th smartest students in Forbes, and 184th best graduation rate by Washington Monthly. The College of Liberal Arts landed 251st nationally on College Factual for another of the concentrated bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey with rolling acceptance of $75 applications.
B.A. Communication
Outside New Jersey’s fourth-largest city, the Kean B.A. Communication trains undergrads to size up different media relations methods for meeting diverse audience needs. The 124-credit curriculum led by Dr. Jack Sargent presently costs $6,173 to $9,691 each semester in four specializations: Journalism, Public Relations, Media/Film, and Communication Studies. Majors might also edit The Tower, broadcast WKNJ 90.3FM, practice in the Speech Lab, join Alpha Epsilon Rho, minor in Africana Studies, volunteer with Jumpstart, intern at Food Network, and visit Belgium.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Academic Success Center 402
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
(908) 737-0460
jsargent@kean.edu
Monmouth University
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Winning the ASPA Most Outstanding Newspaper Award thrice since 2010, Monmouth University is an independent, four-year coed MAAC member worth $90.31 million that’s drawing 6,340 Hawks from 30 nations to 58 degrees at its 58-building, eco-friendly West Long Branch site. Monmouth was declared America’s 368th top private university in Forbes, 385th best college by the Social Mobility Index, and 317th best value on PayScale. As a Grammy Museum affiliate, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences reports a mid-career salary averaging $95,000 for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey ranked 172nd nationally by Niche.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Currently costing $18,719 per semester, Monmouth’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication holds PRSSA certification for laying a sufficient framework to control apt messaging of media and corporate organizations. The 48-credit major managed by Dr. Adam Furgaso, a 2017 IBS Award Finalist, ends with senior projects after three clusters: Radio/Television, Communication Studies, and Journalism/Public Relations. Undergrads may also publish The Verge, transmit WMCX 88.9FM, direct Hawk TV shows, join CommWorks, engage in the Polling Institute, and visit London.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Plangere Center 220
400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 263-5254
afurgaso@monmouth.edu
Montclair State University
College of the Arts
Home to the Center for Cooperative Media and NJ News Commons since 2012, Montclair State University is a public, doctoral-granting research AASCU member that’s budgeting $427 million to serve 21,013 Red Hawks swooping into 300 programs at its 252-acre Great Notch campus. MSU was selected America’s 187th best university by the U.S. News & World Report, 52nd top test-optional college on Niche, and 223rd best value in The Economist. The College of the Arts was ranked 145th nationally on College Factual for two bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey headed by Dr. Keith Strudler that retain 83 percent of freshmen.
BA in Communication Studies
Maintaining a 17:1 learner-faculty ratio, Montclair’s BA in Communication Studies strives to produce engaged democratic citizens by surveying how people connect from a generalist perspective. The 48-credit major requires a cumulative GPA above 2.0 in courses like Voice Improvement, Mediated Organizations, and Popular Culture with transmedia projects. Other opportunities include talking on WMSC 90.3FM, producing Carpe Diem, attending Hack Jersey, minoring in Speech-Language Pathology, venturing to Italy, and using the Speaking Resource Center.
BA in Communication and Media Arts
In the United States’ #1 DMA according to Nielsen, the BA in Communication and Media Arts suits Montclair students focused on the practical use of speech or writing in today’s vulnerable press. The 48-credit, applied major currently costs $12,455 to $20,567 yearly for interactive courses like Television Programming, Going Viral, Avant-Garde Cinema, and Radio Production. Majors may also attend the Journalistic Summit, publish The Montclairon, practice in DuMont Center, join Art Society, enjoy the Filmmakers Series, intern at The People’s Court, and join the AWM.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Life Hall 050
1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043
(973) 655-3261
strudlerk@montclair.edu
Lights, camera, and action! Our second half of colleges (N-Z) is ready to help your media career shine. They’re all regionally accredited for quality prep to benefit from 6 percent job growth on the Bureau of Labor Statistics too. Your ideal college could be featured above or with our next bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey.
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