In North Carolina, the job outlook for people with communications degrees is either at the national average of between 5 and 9 percent annually or above average, depending on the subfield. The salaries paid for such jobs are also at or above the national average, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment relative standard error in estimating overall salaries is quite low.
With a bachelor’s in communications, people can work as broadcasters, event planners, analysts, producers, and even executives in the business world. Because there are so many job opportunities available in the field, it pays to have a degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Otherwise, students will be passed over for their better-educated colleagues.
First, see:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in North Carolina (A-G)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in North Carolina (H-P)
Queens University of Charlotte
The Knight School of Communications
The Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte is the only school of its type in the country that is both endorsed and endowed by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which is dedicated to excellence in journalism. The university is ranked No. 18 in the South Region by U.S. News and World Report. Similarly, it is ranked in the Top 20 for best value, best for teaching, and best for veterans.
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Digital Media
There are two programs offered for communications majors: The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Digital Media. Both provide education for dozens of jobs in the field, but the Journalism and Digital Media degree gives students a chance to specialize while earning their bachelor’s in communication. The university provides rare opportunities for studying abroad, such as letting students cover the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Always at the cutting edge, the department also partners with Google Fiber.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
•Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Queens University of Charlotte
1900 Selwyn Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28274
704-337-2200
admissions@queens.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
The university is not only regionally ranked and accredited but is also a national leader in the field of communications.
Saint Augustine’s University
Communications Department
Saint Augustine’s University was founded in 1867 to educate freed slaves. Today, it is still a historically black college that is regionally ranked by U.S. News and World Report. The university provides an intimate setting for both professors and fewer than 1,000 students, so the education there is almost familial. The student-to-professor ratio is only 12-to-1.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Concentration in Digital Journalism
The degree requires between 116 and 128 credits, depending on electives and degree focus. To earn the degree, students must earn at least a C in a series of core classes and at least a B in others. The degree requirements are both well-rounded and intense, and students must study English, political science, social media, and mathematics in nearly equal concentration.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Saint Augustine’s University
1315 Oakwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27610
919-516-4000
admissions@st-aug.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Concentration in Digital Journalism
At Saint Augustine’s University, students receive a balanced education while pursuing their bachelor’s in communication in a cozy atmosphere that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving.
Salem College
Communication Department
Salem College is a regionally accredited women’s college that has received a ranking of No. 131 from U.S. News and World Report. As a liberal arts college, Salem College focuses on a broad education that encompasses many viewpoints and teaching strategies. Founded in 1772, it is one of the oldest colleges in the United States.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies
The bachelor’s in communication degree requires intensive study, including classes like Digital Storytelling, Intercultural Communication, and Photo Journalism. Those who craft the curriculum at Salem College also “think outside the box” as they have created courses like Guerilla Video Production and Persuasion, Culture, and Sustainability. Because of the fast-paced nature of the 21st century, the college stresses the need for individual critical thinking and “reacting on the fly” as central to its educational philosophy.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Salem College
601 S. Church Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-721-2600
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies
Salem College offers women the chance to hone their skills in the field of communications and to learn about the ephemeral, ever-changing world of mass media in the 21st century.
Shaw University
Department of Mass Communications
At Shaw University, students can earn their bachelor’s in communication in a regionally ranked institution with nearly a 200-year history of excellence. U.S. News and World Report ranks Shaw University No. 65 in the South Region. Among historically black colleges, Shaw University is ranked No. 58. The university is selective and only selects about half the students who apply.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications
Depending on students’ concentrations within the field of communication, the degree requires 60 – 63 credits in the communications emphasis, which include classes in Film Criticism, Video Production and Theory, and Broadcast announcing, among others. The rest of the roughly 120-credit course involves core classes and electives. Students study to become broadcasters, news anchors, reporters, and even public relations experts. Regardless of a student’s GPA, that student must earn at least a C in all classes to be able to graduate.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Shaw University
118 E. South Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-546-8200
wsha@shawu.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications
Shaw University focuses its educational philosophy on hands-on training where students produce radio shows, television segments, and reporting of real-world news through campus projects and community partners, such as WSHA-FM.
The University of North Carolina at Ashville
Department of Mass Communications
U.S. News and World Report ranks the University of North Carolina at Asheville as the No. 7 public university in the nation and No. 143 among national liberal arts colleges. As such, the university keeps all of its degree programs infused with a strong liberal arts curriculum to go along with the focused curriculum classes. Information literacy is considered primary to the success of every student.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
The curriculum of the Mass Communication program allows students to produce videos, newscasts, and feature-length films as part of their studies. There are competitions on campus, too, and all students are invited to participate. The liberal arts core comprises 47 credits. There are 40 more credits involved in the mass communication program, and the rest of the 120 required credits for the Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication are made up of electives.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
The University of North Carolina at Asheville
1 University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
828-251-6600
reslife@unca.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
At the University of North Carolina at Asheville, students receive a well-balanced education designed not only to prepare them for the job market but also to engender in them a love of learning and flexibility.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Department of Communication
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the top-ranked universities in the country. U.S. News and World Report puts them at No. 30 overall and No. 10 in the category of “best colleges for veterans.” When it comes to undergraduate teaching, the university is ranked No. 34. The university is very selective and only accepts about one in four applicants.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
The university offers four focus areas under its heading of Bachelor of Arts in Communication. They are:
•Interpersonal and Organizational Communication
•Media and Technology Studies and Production
•Performance studies
•Rhetoric studies
Each of these has its own courseload which totals roughly 120 credits when combined with electives and core classes. The diversity of the programs provides students with one of the best opportunities in the country to specialize in their desired subfield.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
South Building, CB #9100
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919-962-2211
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
More than just a basketball power, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a leading research and educational center in the world, particularly for those seeking a bachelor’s in communication.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Department of Communication Studies
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is ranked No. 194 by U.S. News and World Report. The university is ranked higher, at No. 106, in the category of public universities. More than 80 percent of incoming freshmen indicate their satisfaction with the education they receive there. Students who study online benefit from the university’s No. 10 ranking in that regard.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, students striving for a bachelor’s in communications can choose from any of five concentrations. They are:
•Communications and Public Advocacy
•Health Communication
•Mass Media
•Organizational Communication
•Public Relations
Each of these concentrations provides deep insight into its corresponding subsection of the overall education in communications. To proceed in the field of communications, students must have completed their foreign language requirement prior to declaring their major.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28223
704-687-8622
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
The foreign language requirement for the completion of a bachelor’s in communication ensures that students from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte have an edge over their nonbilingual colleagues.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Communication Studies Department
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro accepts roughly 70 percent of applicants, so it is classified as selective. U.S. News and World Report ranks the university No. 201 nationally and No. 109 among public schools in the nation. The philosophy of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is always to make the world a better place through education. Classes, therefore, concentrate on methods and theories of applying learned skills and techniques to helping others.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
The degree requires the study of 122 credit hours, 36 of which must be at the 300 course level. Six credits must be in courses of at least the 400 or 500 level, and each student must also select 21 credits of electives in addition to the basic core requirements. All students must maintain a 2.0 GPA while earning their bachelor’s in communications. Interested students may also apply for accelerated acceptance in the graduate program in communications, but they require at least a 3.5 GPA to do so.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402
336-334-5000
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a learner-centric public research university dedicated to changing the world.
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Department of Mass Communication
At the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, which U.S. News and World Report ranks at No. 102 in the South Region, the thrust of education is liberal arts based. Even in the field of communications, the liberal arts focus ensures that students don’t “lose touch with American culture.” Additionally, the university has strong partnership ties with media organizations in North Carolina and around the country.
Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication
Students at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke can choose from three specializations in the field of mass communications: journalism, broadcasting, and public relations. Internships are required. Fortunately, the slew of partners maintained by the university makes this an attractive prospect. Not only do students fulfill their educational obligations, but they also get real-world experience while still at the undergraduate level. The curriculum itself encompasses 120 credits of core, degree-related, and elective courses.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
O Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
910-521-6000
masscomm@uncp.edu
Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke gives students direct access to a county-wide audience through WNCP-TV, the student-run station, and a variety of other intensive programs that challenge students to excel in their bachelor’s in communication studies.
Wake Forest University
Department of Communication
Wake Forest University is in U.S. News and World Report’s Top 25 of “best value schools” in the country. Overall, the venerable magazine ranks the university at No. 27 and at No. 13 for best teaching universities. The university is quite selective and only accepts one in four applicants. The student-to-professor ratio is cozy at 11-to-1, and students can expect a great deal of individual attention.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
To earn their bachelor’s in communications, students must have at least a 2.0 in every class regardless of overall GPA. The communication major requires 30 credits of study in the field, 12 or more of which must be at the 300 level or higher. Students who wish to specialize during their bachelor’s in communications may select one of three concentrations: communication science, media studies, and rhetorical studies. Advanced students may select a second concentration, but they must then fulfill requirements equal to a minor: 18 credits, three of which must be at the 300 level.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Wake Forest University
P.O. Box 7373
Reynolda Station
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
336-758-5000
registrar@wfu.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Wake Forest University is one of the leading universities in the United States. It combines the closeness of a liberal arts college with the educational heavy firepower of a leading public research university.
Western Carolina Univesity
Communication Program
Western Carolina University is highly ranked in the South Region. U.S. News and World Report lists the university as No. 34 overall and as No. 24 when it comes to best colleges for veterans. The college has higher-than-average standards and only selects four applicants in 10 for admittance. Eight in 10 freshmen are satisfied enough to remain at the university past their first year. The campus is spacious enough for students to get some alone time yet tight-knit enough for people to be able to network effectively.
Bachelor of Science in Communication
At Western Carolina University, students can select from among four specializations within the field of communications. They are:
•Broadcasting
•Health Communication
•Journalism
•Public Relations
Each of these has its own requirements for core curriculum, classes tied to the communications major, and electives. All of the bachelor’s in communication programs are 120-credits. All students must complete COMM 204, which is Writing for Communication, to be able to progress to their junior year studies.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Western Carolina University
1 University Way, Cullowhee
NC 28723
828-227-7211
admiss@wcu.edu
Bachelor of Science in Communication
As a Top 5 university in undergraduate research, Western Carolina University encourages students getting their bachelor’s in communications to branch out beyond what is known to further their education in concert with their professors.
William Peace University
Communication Department
William Peace University has a diverse educational philosophy that blends hands-on experience, theory, and skill development in equal measure to create well-rounded graduates. In Tier 2 of the national rankings maintained by the periodical U.S. News and World Report, William Peace University is ranked No. 173. The 21-acre campus fosters close working relationships between professors and students, and the individual instruction enables both to learn and progress.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
William Peace University outlines a balanced curriculum for its communication students. Students must take 49 credits worth of general liberal arts courses and 24 credits worth of core communications courses. Based on the student’s chosen specialization, 12 additional communications credits are required in the specialization. Additionally, 35 credits of electives round out the total of 120 undergraduate credits necessary to graduate.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
William Peace University
15 E. Peace Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
919-508-2000
admissions@peace.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
The balanced approach of William Peace University enables students seeking their bachelor’s in communication in a way that prepares them for their careers.
Wingate University
Charles A. Cannon College of Arts and Sciences
Wingate University has earned a No. 22 ranking as one of the best value schools in the South Region. U.S. News and World Report ranks the university No. 52 overall. It is also a good school for veterans, earning a No. 34 ranking. Almost half the classes on campus have fewer than 20 students in them, and the student-to-professor ratio is 16-to-1.
Bachelor’s in Communication
Unlike many universities in the South Region, Wingate Univesity allows its communications majors to earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Communication. Based on the student’s choice, the requirements differ slightly. As its name suggests, the Bachelor of Arts program features more liberal arts classes than the Bachelor of Science program. Under these two subheadings are three subfields: public relations, rhetoric and performance, and journalism and mass media. Each of these, in turn, has its own course requirements although each bachelor’s in communications is a 120-credit degree.
Accreditation
•Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Wingate University
220 N. Camden Rd.
Wingate, NC 28174
704-233-8200
info@wingate.edu
At Wingate University, the focus is student-centric, and the opportunities are varied to fit the choices and needs of tomorrow’s learners.
Winston-Salem State University
Department of Communication and Media Studies
Winston-Salem State University is a Tier 2 institution that is ranked No. 107 by U.S. News and World Report. It is a historically black college and is ranked No. 36 among that group. The university also achieves a 77-percent satisfaction level from its first-year students. The campus radio station is a National Public Radio affiliate and is operated by the Department of Communication and Mass Media.
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
While earning their bachelor’s in communication, students will not only learn through the application of theory and varied teaching methods but also through practical experience, such as working on the radio station. Critical thinking is an integral part of all coursework, and students are encouraged to devise new methods on their own and then apply them to their work. Students may also produce television programming, write and edit articles for the school newspaper, and work with one of the university’s many partners.
Accreditation
•Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Winston-Salem State University
601 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
336-750-2000
admissions@wssu.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
When it comes earning one’s bachelor’s in communications, Winston-Salem State University is there to provide the forward-thinking education necessary to ready students for the 21st century.
This concludes our series on Bachelor’s in Communications in North Carolina.