Let’s start mapping the “Sooner State” with 11 HLC-accredited colleges where bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma can lead to the media spotlight faster. Developed from the Indian Territory in 1907, Oklahoma is Forbes’ 22nd best state with 3.92 million people in the Interior Highlands. Ranked fifth for fiscal health by the Mercatus Center, Oklahoma’s $180 billion economy needs communications grads. According to Nielsen, Oklahoma is split into five media markets: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Sherman-Ada, Wichita Falls-Lawton, and Amarillo. Potential workplaces include Koch Communications, KOCO-TV, The Daily Ardmoreite, KXXY 96.1FM, World Literature Today, Freestyle Creative, and Retrospec Films. Communications majors are also helpful at 12 Oklahoma Fortune 1000 companies like Helmerich & Payne, Devon Energy, Magellan, WPX, and Continental Resources. Here is the first half of versatile undergraduate communications degrees in Oklahoma (A-Q) that produce sociable students.
Cameron University
School of Arts and Sciences
Granted the 2010 OCMA Award of Excellence for Overall Newspaper, Cameron University is a public, four-year liberal arts school that’s budgeting $46 million to serve 4,846 Aggies and confer over 111,300 credits across 50+ majors at the 160-acre Lawton campus or Duncan Higher Education Center. Cameron was crowned America’s 284th most conservative college by Niche and 322nd top university in Washington Monthly with the 21st highest acceptance rate on Education Corner. The School of Arts and Sciences houses one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma ranked 337th nationally by College Factual for the valuable tuition of $238 to $529 per credit.
Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication
Chaired by Dr. Christopher Keller, CU’s Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication maintains a 19:1 learner-faculty ratio for engaging dialogue about the most successful tactics in our rapidly changing media culture. The 124-credit curriculum mandates minimum 2.0 GPAs throughout courses like Public Relations Ethics, Conflict Management, and Professional Speaking. Majors might also publish The Collegian, broadcast KCCU 89.3FM, join Pi Kappa Delta, attend Speech-Debate Camp, become PLUS Scholars, study away in Swansea, and present at Academic Festival X.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Nance Boyer Hall 2025
2800 West Gore Blvd.
Lawton, OK 73505
(580) 581-2259
ckeller@cameron.edu
East Central University
School of Fine Arts
Hosting the 2018 Oklahoma Literary Arts Festival in November at Estep Center, East Central University is a public, coed teaching institution endowed for $23.7 million that’s enrolling 4,447 Tigers from 20 states in 70 majors and 80+ clubs at the 144-acre Pontotoc County campus in Chickasaw Nation. ECU was lauded America’s 182nd most diverse school on Niche, 128th safest college by WalletHub, and 56th best university for social mobility in Washington Monthly. The School of Fine Arts ranked 414th nationally on College Factual awards one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma with the true high-definition William C. Thrash Television Studio.
Communication and Performance Studies Major
Seeking minimum 1020 SAT or 20 ACT scores, East Central’s Communication and Performance Studies Major suits eloquent undergrads with a penchant for producing impactful artistic displays of self-expression. The 124-credit B.A. directed by Prof. Donna Graves presently bills $7,219 to $16,339 yearly in four concentrations: Musical Theatre, Theatre, Speech Teacher, and General Communication. Students could also compete in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate, publish ECU Journal, perform at Ataloa Theatre, enter the Scissortail Creative Writing Contest, and visit Ukraine.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Hallie Brown Ford Center 113
110 East 14th Street
Ada, OK 74820
(580) 559-5503
dgraves@ecok.edu
Langston University
School of Arts & Sciences
Cataloging over 7,000 volumes in the Melvin B. Tolson Black Heritage Center since 1970, Langston University is a public, land-grant TMCF member endowed for $41.6 million that’s training 2,554 Lions in 35 majors at a 40-acre Logan County campus featured in Denzel’s film The Great Debaters. Langston was deemed America’s 78th best Greek life school on Niche, 58th top HBCU on the U.S. News & World Report, and 330th best university in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts & Sciences placed 233rd nationally on College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma accepting $25 applications until June 15th and November 15th.
Communication Program
Presently priced at $5,950 to $13,300 annually, Langston’s Communication Program bestows a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism for ethical reporters capable of producing engaging material using credible sourcing. The 127-credit degree led by Prof. Lonnie Johnson Jr. mixes a 14-week internship into courses like News Editing, Intermediate Photography, and Station Participation Rules. Undergrads may also announce for KALU 89.3FM, submit LU Gazette articles, attend the Young Women’s Empowerment Institute, and enter the Edwin P. McCabe Honors Program.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Sanford Hall 307W
701 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive
Langston, OK 73050
(405) 466-3244
lonnie.johnson@langston.edu
Northeastern State University
College of Liberal Arts
Victorious at the 2017 Storm Classic Forensics Tournament in Durant, Northeastern State University is Oklahoma’s oldest public, three-site regional branch that’s gifting $49.3 million to support 8,276 RiverHawks across 68 majors in English and Cherokee from Broken Arrow to Muskogee. NSU was named America’s 360th best faculty on Niche, 386th top university in Washington Monthly, and #1 best Native American-serving school by Winds of Change. The College of Liberal Arts ranked 215th on College Factual for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma with 88 percent job placement at Norman Transcript, CBS, Coca-Cola, PennWell, Disney World, and more.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Exclusively in Tahlequah, NSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies bills $5,547 to $12,897 yearly for undergrads studying the intricacies of human interaction and shaping well-rounded interpersonal skills. The 124-credit plan outlined by Dr. Dana Eversole provides four options: Corporate Communication, Theory & Research, Communication in Relationships, or Applied Performance & Delivery. Learners could edit The Northeastern, compete on Debate Team, intern at Tulsa Zoo, attend Rookie Bridge Camp, exchange to Japan, and join Spanish Club too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Leoser Complex 1
600 North Grand Avenue
Tahlequah, OK 74464
(918) 444-2891
eversole@nsuok.edu
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
School of Arts & Sciences
Presented a 2012 SPJ Region 8 Mark of Excellence Award for NWTV-Channel 7, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, coed “Castle on the Hill” institution that’s raised 28 million to better instruct 2,307 Rangers in 40+ majors at the 24-building Alva campus with J.W. Martin Library. NWOSU was proclaimed America’s 256th most selective school on Niche, 272nd best community service provider in Washington Monthly, and 289th top value by The Economist. The School of Arts & Sciences admits freshmen with GPAs above 2.7 from 15-unit college-prep curriculum into one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma ranked 566th on College Factual.
Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication
Keeping a 16:1 pupil-professor ratio, NWOSU’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication facilitates hands-on practice creating quality written and visual material for media distribution. The 122-credit degree managed by Dr. Tamara Brown, the 2005 John Barton Award recipient, currently costs $6,382 to $7,432 yearly with courses like Multimedia Journalism, Federal Politics, and Publication Design. Students can also broadcast KRDR 105.7FM, run RangerPulse.com, join Sigma Delta Chi, attend the Writer’s Roundtable, experience Rotorua, and minor in Marketing.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Vinson Hall 110
709 Oklahoma Blvd.
Alva, OK 73717
(580) 327-8429
tlbrown@nwosu.edu
Oklahoma Baptist University
Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts
Booking Emmy Award-winning actor Henry Winkler for the 2019 Green & Gold Gala, Oklahoma Baptist University is a public, nonprofit Christian GAC member that budgets $78.06 million to serve 2,093 Bison from 40 nations at its 46-building Pottawatomie County home with Craig-Dorland Theatre. OBU was designated America’s 176th best liberal arts university on Forbes, 154th best campus experience by WalletHub, and 304th top value in The Economist. The Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts presently charges $26,584 annually for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma ranked 314th nationally on Niche with 60 percent admission.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Reporting a 20-year PayScale ROI of $112,000, Oklahoma Baptist’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies shares God’s love by teaching undergrads the ethical principles to speak respectfully to diverse audiences. The 128-credit curriculum managed by Dr. Vickie Shamp Ellis builds atop the Flex Core with Shawnee classes like Rhetorical Criticism, Oral Interpretation, and Advertising. Majors might also publish The Yahnseh, direct OBU-TV, intern at Telemundo, semester in Los Angeles, attend Gaskin Lectures, volunteer with SPERO Project, and join Debate Team.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Sarkeys Center 101
500 West University Avenue
Shawnee, OK 74804
(405) 585-4350
communication@okbu.edu
Oklahoma Christian University
College of Liberal Arts
Indexing 110,000 books in the Tom & Ada Beam Library with Thelma Gaylord Forum, Oklahoma Christian University is a private, coed Church of Christ school opened in 1950 that’s endowed for $29 million to inspire 2,600 Eagles with 92 full-time faculty at the 240-acre Edmond campus. OC was chosen America’s 191st best value by College Factual, 283rd safest school by WalletHub, and 513rd top university on the Social Mobility Index. Dedicated to Isaiah 40:31, the College of Liberal Arts grants another of the Christ-centered bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma ranked 159th nationally by Niche with notable alumni like Emmy winner Meagan Harris.
B.S. Degree in Mass Communication
Coordinated by Dr. Larry Jurney, the 2002 OBEA Distinguished Service Award recipient, Oklahoma Christian’s B.S. Degree in Mass Communication prepares for God’s earthly ministry keeping citizens well-informed. The 126-credit sequence currently costs $11,230 per term within four full-time tracks: Electronic Media, Interactive Media, Media Management, and Creative Media. Undergrads could also take the Stratford Shakespeare Tour, produce The Talon, intern at Gooden Group, play Eagle Radio, join the PRSSA, perform in Judd Theatre, and attend History Speaks.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Garvey Center 101
2501 East Memorial Road
Oklahoma City, OK
(405) 425-5522
larry.jurney@oc.edu
Oklahoma City University
Petree College of Arts & Sciences
Disbursing $24.9 million yearly, including the $2,500 Brooke Haley Broadcasting Scholarship, Oklahoma City University is a private, Methodist metro CIC member created in 1904 by Anton Classen that’s enrolling 2,748 Stars from 43 countries at the 104-acre “Big Friendly” campus near Paseo Arts District. OKCU was picked America’s 261st best small college on Niche, 289th top university by Times Higher Education, and 307th best private school in Forbes. The Petree College of Arts & Sciences boasts a 100 percent internship rate at Bloomberg Law, Fox News, KWTV, and others in another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma ranked 125th on WalletHub.
B.A. in Mass Communications
Accepting the $55 Common Application year-round, Oklahoma City’s B.A. in Mass Communications immerses undergrads with an average 3.59 GPA in crafting effective media campaigns for global brands. The 124-credit degree chaired by Dr. Matt Hamilton now costs $13,638 each semester in two specializations: Multimedia Journalism & Broadcast Production or Strategic Communications. Learners can print The Campus, stream Channel 22, minor in Social Media, summer in Paris, join the Filmmakers Guild, and attend the Martha Jean Lemon Speaker Series too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
Walker Center 11
2501 North Blackwelder Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 208-5326
mhamilton@okcu.edu
Oklahoma State University
College of Arts & Sciences
Home to the Oklahoma Center for Poets & Centers since 1994, Oklahoma State University is a public, sun-grant Big 12 giant and Magrath Community Engagement Award winner worth $1.32 billion that’s teaching 35,073 Cowboys from 120 nations at six campuses from Stillwater to Tulsa. OSU was judged America’s 254th best value in Money magazine, 145th best research institution by the CWUR, and 367th top university on Times Higher Education. The College of Arts & Sciences delivers 1,060 courses in 24 departments, including two bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma ranked 116th by Niche, for WalletHub’s 277th best career outcomes nationally.
Strategic Communication, BA
Fully ACEJMC-accredited in 2014, Oklahoma State’s Strategic Communication BA develops professional digital portfolios with real-life practice telling captivating stories to intended audiences. The 120-credit “Finish in Four” plan directed by Dr. Craig Freeman marries upper-division courses like Copywriting, Graphic Design, and Advertising Markets. Majors could also produce The Daily O’Collegian, stream KXZY Radio, become Smithsonian Fellows, join Sports Media Club, enter the Speech Competition, visit Edinburgh, and add the Leadership Development Certificate.
Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS
Placed 92nd for SLP on the U.S. News & World Report, Oklahoma State awards the Communication Sciences and Disorders BS in Murray Hall for pre-master’s training on the anatomy of vocal mechanisms. The 120-credit, ASHA-aligned degree headed by Dr. Ramesh Kaipa integrates 25 observation hours into courses like Audiology Diagnosis, Phonetics, and Sign Languages. Students may join the NSSLHA, utilize the Motor Speech Lab, attend the Cimarron Conference, volunteer with Speak Out!, plan the Walk for Aphasia, pursue the MS, and serve in Rwanda too.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
213 Life Sciences East
Stillwater, OK 74078
(405) 744-5658
artsandsciences@okstate.edu
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Humanities Department
Hosting the Orange Movement Anti-Trafficking Film Festival each April in Keating Center, Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a private, coed Protestant KCAC school formed in 1959 that’s endowed for $5.46 million to teach 1,205 Eagles in 35 majors at the 30-building Washington County campus. OKWU was declared America’s 240th most conservative choice on Niche, 155th best undergrad value by Forbes, and 248th top institution for “public good” in Washington Monthly. The Humanities Department landed 436th nationally on College Factual with one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma where 90 percent of freshmen reside on-campus.
Communication Arts Major
Inspired by 1 Peter 3:15, OKWU’s Communication Arts Major prepares Christ-followers for the pursuit of truth to give audiences answers using wide-ranging creative expression methods. The 126-credit B.A. program advised by Dr. Dalene Fisher presently bills $12,788 each semester for traditional courses like Biblical Hermeneutics, Script Writing, English Grammar, and Media Production. Students can also engage in the Josh McDowell Institute, publish The Eagle, broadcast KZUH 92.7FM, attend the Values Voter Summit, intern at NBC, travel to Israel, and add Pro-Life Training.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
2201 Silver Lake Road
Bartlesville, OK 74006
(918) 335-6200
dfisher@okwu.edu
Oral Roberts University
College of Arts & Cultural Studies
Prized the 2014 NRB Media Award for Best TV Public Service Announcement, Oral Roberts University is a private, interdenominational Christian school that’s budgeting $85 million to enlighten 3,852 Eagles from 90 countries in 76 majors at the 263-acre Tulsa campus on the Arkansas River. ORU was positioned America’s 378th best nonprofit college in Forbes, 60th top social media school on StudentAdvisor.com, and 211th top university by Washington Monthly. As Katie Lee Gifford’s alma mater, the College of Arts & Cultural Studies features 81 percent retention with another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma ranked 132nd nationally on Niche.
Communication Bachelor of Arts
Currently costing $26,700 yearly, ORU’s Communication Bachelor of Arts utilizes a whole-life approach to nurture broad interdisciplinary speaking and writing skills to successfully convey thoughts. The 122-credit curriculum led by Prof. Laura Holland, the 1989 Patti Award for Best Director winner, has tracks in Convergence Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, and Cinema/TV/Digital Media. Undergrads can also attend the MultiMedia Institute, intern at NFL Network, edit The Oracle, venture to Beijing, enter the Chaplain’s Leadership Program, and run KORU Radio.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
7777 South Lewis Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74171
(918) 495-6870
lholland@oru.edu
Communication is vital for every professional venue because 2007 AAAS research published in Science found the average person speaks 15,669 words daily. Virtually all of Oklahoma’s 1.57 million jobs reporting a mean wage of $43,340 to the Bureau of Labor Statistics require good communication skills. Particularly, high-paying careers like sales manager, marketing specialist, fundraiser, judicial clerk, art director, broadcast news analyst, and human resources manager seek speaking strengths. Keep searching the Midwest for accredited performance studies in our next bachelor’s in communications programs in Oklahoma (R-Z) list here.