Looking for more bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas? Below we’ll present the second installment of schools (T-Z) shaping media professionals in the “Natural State.”
Since joining the Union in 1836, Arkansas has been linked to noteworthy names like Hillary Clinton, William Fulbright, Sam Walton, Glen Campbell, and C.D. Wright. The Midwestern gem generates a GDP of $119 billion as CNBC’s 20th “Best Economic Climate” in America. Studying communications can prep grads for handling PR and advertising for top employers, including J.B. Hunt, Dillard’s, Tyson Foods, and Acxiom. Communication expertise also lends well to media outlets, such as the Southwest Times Record, High Plains Radio Network, KFSM-TV, and Crazyhorse magazine.
Join the 8,180 media experts employed statewide by entering one of these regionally accredited communications schools in Arkansas.
(For the first half of our list, see: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Arkansas (A-S))
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
College of Social Sciences and Communication
Devoted to “Culture, Truth, Knowledge,” the University of Arkansas Little Rock is a public, space-grant research hub endowed for $168.14 million in the Sun Belt Conference that’s currently enrolling 11,840 Trojans upon its 56-building campus in the Pulaski County seat near Interstate 40. Named the South’s 167th best bang for the buck in Washington Monthly, UALR is given “Military Friendly” status from Victory Media. The College of Social Sciences and Communication is also deemed the 605th best college for communications in America on Niche.
B.A. Applied (Speech) Communication
Taught by PhD-level faculty trained at North Dakota State, Louisiana State, CU Boulder, Southern Illinois, and more, UALR’s B.A. Applied (Speech) Communication teaches undergrads to develop and analyze mindful messages for communicative goals. Featuring a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, the 34-credit major can be completed on-campus with 16-week courses or online with accelerated, eight-week courses. Majors could join Lambda Pi Eta, intern with Heifer International, practice in the Communication Skills Center, and study abroad in Trinidad.
B.A. Mass Communication
Another of UALR’s bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas leads to a B.A. Mass Communication at an average net price of $12,780 annually for undergrads seeking to shine a light on vital information in various media-related fields. The 120-credit curriculum offers five emphases: Journalism, Mass Media, Media Production and Design, Motion Pictures, or Strategic Communication. Students can also write for LRAngle.com, broadcast on U-Verse Channel 99, join the PRSSA Student Chapter, and pledge Kappa Tau Alpha.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Ross Hall, Room 120
2801 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
(501) 569-3244
ljbondmaupi@ualr.edu
University of Arkansas at Monticello
School of Arts & Humanities
Founded in 1909 as the Fourth District Agricultural School, the University of Arkansas at Monticello is a public, co-educational liberal arts institution educating around 3,650 bachelor’s and master’s-level Boll Weevils from its suburban headquarters in Drew County just 29 miles from Hamburg. Graded B+ for America’s 429th “Best Professors” on Niche, UAMont is deemed the 80th best Southern bang for the buck in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts & Humanities offers four undergrad majors and an MFA in Creative Writing with 46 percent admission.
Communication Major (B.A.)
Charging $6,446 in-state and $12,296 out-of-state yearly, the Communication Major (B.A.) at Monticello is another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas offering five emphases: Applied, Media, Performance, Professional Writing, or Speech. The eight-semester plan includes courses with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio for developing modern media literacy and communication ability. Students could benefit from workshops in the Writing Center, entering the Spanish Study Abroad Program, joining Lambda Pi Eta, and publishing in The Foliate Oak.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Wells Hall, Room 110
346 University Drive
Monticello, AR 71656
(870) 460-1138
bergh@uamont.edu
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
School of Arts and Sciences
Belonging to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, historically black teaching institution tracing back to Joseph Carter Corbin’s founding in 1875 that’s now educating 2,820 Golden Lions in the Timberlands Region of Jefferson County near North Little Rock. Honored for America’s 85th “Best Greek Life” on Niche, UAPB is ranked the 42nd best Southern university and 35th top HBCU overall by the U.S. News. The School of Arts and Sciences has one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas with average retention at 61 percent.
Mass Communications, B.A.
Selectively admitting 39 percent of applicants, UAPB’s Mass Communications B.A. is delivered by 16 full-time, PhD-level faculty to build undergrads’ technical skills for self-expression in the digital media age. Offering tracks for Broadcast or Journalism, the 120-credit curriculum integrates face-to-face humanities courses like creative writing, Spanish, film production, and rhetoric. Majors may also tutor in the Viralene J. Coleman Computerized Writing Center, join the Carolyn F. Blakely Honors Program, work for KUAP 89.7 FM, and participate in NABJ events.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Corbin Hall, Room 105
1200 North University Drive
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 575-8053
stewarta@uapb.edu
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences
Budgeted for $485 million annually, the University of Arkansas Fayetteville is a flagship public, land-grant and space-grant RU/VH institution led by Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz to advance knowledge in over 27,200 minds from its 412-acre, Collegiate Gothic-style campus listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ranked America’s 76th top public college and 293rd best value on Forbes, UArk is named the 562nd best global university by the U.S. News. The Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences also is the 137th best college for communications nationally according to Niche.
Communication B.A.
Retaining 82 percent of freshmen, the Communication B.A. at UArk lays the social science foundation for undergrads to better understand interpersonal dynamics, modes of expression, and media technologies. With a 10-page Senior Writing Requirement (SWR), the 120-credit, eight-semester curriculum offers electives from telecommunication policy to children’s media. Students may also complete a 160-hour internship with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, add an Honors Thesis, claim the M. Blair Hart Scholarship, and travel to the British Isles.
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Currently charging $240 per credit, UA’s Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication is another of the flexible, transfer-friendly bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas training students to convey messages across multiple platforms with courses accessed 24/7. For 120 credits total, the curriculum delves into public speaking, communication research, media ethics, and film studies with two foreign language classes. Online learners are taught by the same tenured, PhD-level faculty trained at Ferris State, Arkansas State, Purdue, and more.
Agricultural Education, Communication and Technology B.S.A.
Through the Dale Bumpers College, UArk Razorbacks could pursue the 120-credit Agricultural Education, Communication and Technology B.S.A. in eight semesters full-time to focus on media careers that address farming or environmental issues. Undergrads choose from four concentrations: Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Leadership, or Agricultural Systems Technology Management. Other opportunities include studying at the Rohwer Research Station, earning the Robert G.F. Spitze Scholarship, taking the Communication Intensive, securing the Scotland Internship, and joining the Collegiate FFA.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Kimpel Hall, Room 417
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-3046
rbrady@uark.edu
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
College of Communication, Languages, Arts & Social Sciences
Endowed for $38.8 million, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has grown since being founded by James William Ramsey in 1928 to serve over 7,500 Lions as the fifth-largest public, co-educational teaching institution with a 168-acre suburban campus near the Poteau River’s Belle Point. Lauded as America’s 145th best baccalaureate university for contribution to the public good in Washington Monthly, UAFS is ranked the 13th best Southern public college by the U.S. News. The CLASS also houses one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas for 84 percent job placement.
BA – Media Communication
Qualified freshmen with a 2.0 GPA or better complete the BA – Media Communication with a guaranteed, eight-semester plan to develop the workforce readiness skills for writing, media production, journalism, or digital broadcasting. With an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, the 120-credit curriculum uses Adobe Creative Suite for hands-on media experience. Majors can also write for Lions Chronicle, participate in the UAFS Undergraduate Research Symposium, intern at KFSM TV, join the National Broadcasting Society, and take the Honors International Studies Program.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
5210 Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 3649
Fort Smith, AR 72913
(479) 788-7265
Susan.Whitlow@uafs.edu
University of Central Arkansas
School of Communication
Renowned for its Schedler Honors College, the University of Central Arkansas selectively admits 11,400 Bears yearly as a public, space-grant research institution in the Southland Conference with a $183 million budget to educate from 350 suburban acres in Conway, Kiplinger’s seventh best city value. Named America’s 108th “Best College Campus” on Niche, UCA is ranked the 72nd best Southern university and 24th top public school by the U.S. News. Under Director John Gale, the School of Communication offers four bachelor’s options unlocking a median starting salary of $37,100.
Communication Major (B.A./B.S.)
Available on-campus in Conway with minors in Journalism, Public Relations, or Professional Writing, UCA’s Communication Major (B.A./B.S.) is another of the 120-credit bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas studying how people relay information in various cultures. The 34-credit major offers diverse electives from event planning to political communication and African-American rhetoric. Undergrads may also join Lambda Pi Eta, contribute to the Great Bear Writing Project, broadcast on Channel 6, intern with Acxiom Corporation, and edit The Echo.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Thompson Hall, Room 311
201 Donaghey Avenue
Conway, AR 72035
(501) 450-3344
communication@uca.edu
University of the Ozarks
Division of Business, Communications and Education
Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 1834, the University of the Ozarks is a private, nonprofit HLC-accredited liberal arts school endowed for $92.6 million to educate around 700 Eagles from 16 countries on its 30-acre campus atop College Hill near downtown Clarksville. Picked as America’s 133rd “Safest College” on Niche, Ozarks is ranked the third best Southern university and top value by the USNWR. The Division of Business, Communications and Education confers one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas with a yearly net price of $15,415.
Communication Studies Major
Boasting an average class size of 15, the Communication Studies Major at Ozarks confers a B.A. or B.S. for undergrads to polish their presentation skills and become comfortable with media technologies for a growing communications sector. The 120-credit curriculum offers specializations for Film Studies, Radio-Television-Video, or Strategic Communication with an off-campus internship and two-semester capstone. Students could also participate in the ARCH Symposium, work at Little Rock’s ABC affiliate, study abroad in Costa Rica, and declare the Pre-Law Track.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Walker Hall, Room 339
415 N. College Avenue
Clarksville, AR 72830
(479) 979-1227
explore@ozarks.edu
According to the BLS, Arkansans working in media occupations report an annual mean wage of $41,080, or $19.75. Communications majors can raise their return on investment by advancing into well-paid titles like public relations manager, technical writer, and broadcast news analyst where average salaries are $123,360, $73,160, and $78,200 respectively. Sharpening “soft,” value-added skills like communication is highly desired by employers, which is marvelous to avoid Arkansas’ unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. Find your chance to shine in the “Land of Opportunity” with these bachelor’s in communications programs in Arkansas.