Building a successful media career in the “Land of Opportunity” could begin with bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas.
Occupying 53,180 square miles of the Midwest between Oklahoma and Tennessee, Arkansas is the 29th largest state with 3.1 million residents. Generating a GSP of $119 billion, Arkansas’ economy hires communications grads in diverse sectors from agriculture to commerce. Recognized by CNBC for the fifth lowest cost of living, Arkansas has six Fortune 500 companies like Walmart and Tyson Foods. Communications majors can also gain experience with WEHCO Media, Paxton Media Group, the Arkansas Gazette, KFSM-TV, and more.
Find your ideal college match for long-term media success by reviewing the first half of communications schools in Arkansas (A-S).
Arkansas State University
College of Liberal Arts and Communication
Sitting atop Crowley’s Ridge with an expansive 1,376-acre suburban campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University is the state’s second-largest public, co-educational research hub enrolling over 21,900 Red Wolves face-to-face and online with a $54.9 million endowment. Deemed America’s 54th “Most Conservative College” on Niche, A-State is ranked the 59th best Southern school and 20th top public university by the U.S. News. The College of Liberal Arts and Communication maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio for 16 bachelor’s opportunities.
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Authorized for all 50 states, the Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at A-State strives to build Forbes’ #1 employment skill by learning how people effectively share and interpret information. The 120-credit curriculum offers courses like public relations, conflict resolution, persuasion, and promotional writing wholly online via Blackboard. Undergrads could add a double major for a B.A. in Political Science or B.A. in Sociology. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED with a minimum 2.75 GPA and 21 ACT score.
Online Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communications
Featuring a built-in emphasis for Social Media Management, the Online Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communications is another of A-State’s bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas seeking to fulfill high-demand media jobs. For $699 per course, the 120-credit degree fulfills Google Analytics Certified requirements with courses like social media measurement, computer-mediated information, and digital advertising. Students must declare the Political Science, Sociology, or Criminology Minor. With 80 percent retention, the online program offers 24/7 Blackboard support, military discounts, and disability services.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
2301 E. Johnson Avenue, Suite A
Jonesboro, AR 72401
(870) 972-2920
academicpartnerships@astate.edu
Program Link
Arkansas Tech University
College of Arts & Humanities
Originally founded in 1909 as the Second District Agricultural School, Arkansas Tech University has become a public, doctoral-granting research center in the Great American Conference to educate approximately 9,800 Golden Suns from 516 rural acres in Russellville near Lake Dardanelle. Picked for America’s 97th “Best College Food” on Niche, ATU is ranked the 97th best Southern school and 40th top public university by the U.S. News. The College of Arts & Humanities confers 23 degrees, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Admitting 86 percent of applicants, ATU’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication has a three-fold mission of teaching undergrads effective speaking, writing, and listening skills for leadership roles within the media industry. The 30-credit major offers specialized options in Speech Communication, Theatre, or Speech Education, which includes teacher licensure. Courses in Russellville range from argumentation to print journalism. Undergrads may also broadcast on KXRJ Live, join the Students of Television and Radio, produce performances like “The Body Project,” or study abroad in Dublin.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
215 West O Street
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 964-0890
acaton@atu.edu
Program Link
Central Baptist College
Division of Professional Studies
Led by President Terry Kimbrow, Central Baptist College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts school founded in 1952 that’s affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association to enlighten under 1,000 Mustangs within the Little Rock-Conway Metropolitan Area. Honored on Victory Media’s 2017 “Military Friendly School” list, CBC is graded B as America’s 123rd “Best College with No Application Fee” and 60th “Safest College Campus” on Niche. The Division of Professional Studies offers one of the Christ-centered bachelor’s in communication programs in Arkansas for $450 per credit.
Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Communication
Housed in the Cooper Complex, the 120-credit Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Communication allows CBC undergrads to gain practical experience applying communication theory in print, broadcast, and online mediums. Interactive courses have a 10:1 student-faculty ratio for studying media law, copy editing, Christian media, oral communications, and more. Adults could take the PACE option for evening or WebStudy sessions. Other opportunities include writing for The Tower, working for WTYG 91.5, interning at Inuvo, declaring Honors, and studying abroad in South Africa.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1501 College Avenue
Conway, AR 72032
(501) 205-8802
agardner@cbc.edu
Program Link
Harding University
College of Arts & Humanities
Associated with the Churches of Christ, Harding University is the largest private, nonprofit liberal arts institution statewide that’s grown since 1924 to educate over 7,150 Bisons and employ 314 faculty upon its 350-acre suburban campus conveniently off Beebe-Capps Expressway in Searcy. Recognized for America’s 79th “Best College Dorms” on Niche, Harding is ranked the 24th best Southern university and ninth top value by the USNWR. Offering another of the bachelor’s in communication programs in Arkansas, the College of Arts & Humanities develops agile, decisive thinkers for a 94 percent placement rate.
Communication Studies Major, B.A.
Retaining 83 percent of freshmen, Harding’s Communication Studies Major, B.A. gives an in-depth overview of the verbal and nonverbal methods used by humans to convey information. The 128-credit, Biblical-based curriculum integrates courses like public speaking, group dynamics, media software, and linguistics. Students must choose minors, such as Web Design or Advertising, and secure a 240-hour internship. Undergrads could also practice at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center, join Alpha Epsilon Rho, stream on AM 1660, and publish the Petit Jean Yearbook.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
915 E. Market Avenue
Searcy, AR 72149
(501) 279-4445
communication@harding.edu
Program Link
Henderson State University
Ellis College of Arts and Sciences
Opened in 1890 by Rev. John McLaughlin, Henderson State University is Arkansas’ sole public, co-educational COPLA member providing nonsectarian, liberal arts education to more than 3,800 Reddies from its 151-acre urban campus in Arkadelphia along the Ouachita River’s west banks. Crowned America’s 210th “Best College with No Application Fee” on Niche, HSU is ranked the 91st best Southern college and 37th top public school by the U.S. News. The Ellis College of Arts and Sciences houses 14 diverse departments with an average admission rate of 63 percent.
Communication B.A.
With an annual net price of $10,249, the Communication B.A. is the broader of Henderson’s two bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas for building students’ confidence expressing themselves in various means. Available face-to-face with an optional Comics Minor, the 120-credit degree includes courses like rhetorical theory, debate, persuasion, and interpersonal dynamics. Future media specialists must complete at least six credits of applied practicum. Majors could also visit the Oral Communication Lab, shadow IABC members, join Lambda Pi Eta, and write for The Oracle.
Mass Media Communication B.A.
Henderson State’s Mass Media Communication B.A. capitalizes on the 15:1 student-faculty ratio to immerse undergrads in today’s tech-driven information world with specialized tracks for Print or Broadcast Journalism, Mass Media, and Writing for the Media. The 120-credit curriculum map spans courses from Western culture to production methods with senior research and field practicum. Students could broadcast live on HTV, present at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, pledge Pi Kappa Delta, and study abroad in France. Alumni have attended top-notch graduate schools like Syracuse and Mizzou.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1100 Henderson Street
HSU Box 7760
Arkadelphia, AR 71999
(870) 230-5443
millerm@hsu.edu
Program Link
John Brown University
Division of Communication and Fine Arts
Headquartered on 200 rural acres in Siloam Springs with regional centers from Rogers to Fort Smith, John Brown University is a private, nonprofit Christian liberal arts institution endowed for $101.5 million to educate around 1,700 baccalaureate students in northwest Arkansas. Chosen as America’s 176th “Best Small College” on Niche, JBU is ranked the 18th best Southern school and 23rd top value university by the U.S. News. The Division of Communication and Fine Arts also received the 2015 ArkCMA “Newspaper of the Year” Award for its student-run publication, The Threefold Advocate.
Bachelor of Science in Communications
Unlocking an average mid-career salary of $46,200, JBU’s Bachelor of Science in Communications places “Christ Over All” to deliver value-added, Christian education for secular or faith-based media jobs. Unlike some broad bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas, this 124-credit degree offers four emphases: Digital Journalism & Civic Engagement, Media Communication, Public Relations, or Media Production. Majors can benefit from editing The Nesher, broadcasting on KLRC 90.9 FM, joining the Speech & Debate Team, interning with Golden Eagle Productions, and entering the Oxford Summer Programme.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
2000 W University Street
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
(479) 524-7290
msmith@jbu.edu
Program Link
Ouachita Baptist University
School of Humanities
Endowed for $65.4 million, Ouachita Baptist University is a private, nonprofit Baptist institution opened in 1886 by J.W. Conger that’s enrolling over 1,500 Tigers on 160 suburban acres in Arkadelphia just 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. Honored for America’s 266th “Best Academics” on Niche, OBU is ranked the 171st best national liberal arts college and 192nd top high school counselor pick by the U.S. News. With a four-year graduation rate of 54 percent, the School of Humanities oversees bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas within the Rogers Department.
B.A. in Mass Communications
The 31-credit B.A. in Mass Communications Major specializes OBU’s four-year curriculum for shaping the English language to convey information in newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and more. It’s possible to declare a double Christian Studies/Communications majors to pursue religious media jobs. Courses like video production and publication design lead to upper-division internship assignments, such as Fox Sports Southwest, KNWA-TV, or Turner Classic Movies. Students may also write for The Signal, which won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Crown Award.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
410 Ouachita Street
Arkadelphia, AR 71998
(870) 245-5000
rootd@obu.edu
Program Link
Southern Arkansas University
College of Liberal & Performing Arts
Noted for alumni like TV producer Harry Thomason and performer Tracy Lawrence, Southern Arkansas University is a public, co-educational residential institution endowed for $33 million that’s educating around 3,200 baccalaureate scholars from its 1,418 rural campus in Magnolia. Deemed America’s 241st “Best College with No Application Fee” on Niche, SAU was ranked the sixth most affordable public school for out-of-state students by Best Value Schools. The College of Liberal & Performing Arts retains 62 percent of freshmen in 23 undergrad majors from criminal justice to music education.
Communication Design BFA
Requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA in Art & Design courses, the Communication Design BFA is a unique fine arts major allowing Southern Arkansas Muleriders to master motion and print design for cable television, newspapers, websites, or other mediums. The 122-credit curriculum includes courses like graphic software applications, typography, two-dimensional design, and painting face-to-face in Magnolia. Students could also add the Digital Photography and Film Minor, peruse Magale Library, mentor at the Writing Center, New Masters Fine Arts Club, and intern with Walt Disney Company.
Mass Media Communication B.A.
Housed in Oliver Band Hall, the Mass Media Communication B.A. is another of SAU’s bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas maintaining a 17:1 student-faculty ratio to focus on expressing information in print and electronic media. The 120-credit, campus-based program involves coursework in world literature, foreign language, public speaking, digital cinema, editing, public relations, and more. Outside the classroom, majors may also publish for The Bray, join the Emerging Writers Club, debate for the Student Government Association, take Honors College seminars, or travel to Greece.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
100 E. University Avenue
Magnolia, AR 71753
(870) 235-4201
hplangerbein@saumag.edu
Program Link
Majoring in communications can turn into job offers since the BLS predicts 27,400 media jobs with a median annual wage of $54,780 will be added through 2024. Communications grads could excel as editor directors, content strategies, brand managers, film producers, news anchors, marketing consultants, technical writers, and more. In fact, CNN Money ranked social media manager as America’s 42nd best job in 2017 with an “A” for low stress and telecommuting. Satisfy industry training prerequisites by selecting from these bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas.
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