Strong communications skills are necessary for professionals working in all fields, and you can develop those skills in any of these Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana. Multiple schools across the state, including several branches of Indiana University, offer programs that go beyond just how to talk to others. These programs provide training in all the skills needed to work in broadcasting both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, as well as the skills necessary for advertising professionals.
For the first article in our series of Bachelor’s in Communications in Indiana, see: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Indiana (A-H)
Indiana Institute of Technology
College of General Studies
The Indiana Institute of Technology, better known as Indiana Tech, is a college in Fort Wayne that started out as a technical school. Many of its early programs focused on engineering and similar subjects and provided students with the strong background needed to earn a bachelor’s degree from another school. It later shifted its focus to bachelor’s degrees and expanded its curriculum to include computer science and then subjects like communications. Indiana Tech still offers associate degree programs and caters to nontraditional students like working adults while also offering courses for more traditional students. It offers online classes and traditional classes alike.
Communication, B.A.
As you look at Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana, you might find yourself drawn to the Indiana Tech program because it is more flexible. The traditional version of this program requires that students take courses on its Fort Wayne campus, but the institute also offers an accelerated version that allows students to earn a communications degree in just six semesters or two years of work. This program is open to those who took college classes in the past. The institute will count the credits that you have, including those earned in high school, towards your communications degree.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
1600 E. Washington Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
(260) 422-5561
Indiana State University
Department of Communication
Indiana State University (ISU) is the main competitor to the Indiana University school system. Though ISU has operates fewer campuses than that other school system does, it offers two of the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana. One of the unique features about its communications degree is that it allows students to choose between a Bachelor of Science or Art, earning a BS will require that you take more science and research courses. The university offers a degree program for those with an interest in communication disorders too that teaches them how to work with those who do not have communications skills of their own.
Major in Communication
Both the BA and the BS in communication require that students complete foundation courses to graduate, which other schools refer to as general education classes. You’ll also need to take at least 51 credits from within the communications core and select a concentration. ISU has concentrations available in journalism, media studies, public relations and communication and culture. Each concentration will prepare you for working in a different type of field. ISU also requires that all students maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher or risk landing on academic probation in the future.
Communications Disorders Undergraduate Program
ISU offers a second degree program for undergraduates in the communication disorders field. This program hopes that students will graduate with the skills necessary to identify signs of communication disorders in other and with the knowledge needed to treat those conditions. Many of the graduates of this program work in clinics and help patients with disabilities and similar problems. ISU has its own graduate program in this same field. Those who successfully complete the undergraduate program have a good chance of getting accepted in to the university’s graduate school. ISU allows students to take some graduate classes as undergrads too.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
200 N. Seventh St.
Terre Haute, IN 47809
(800) 468-6478
Indiana University-East
Communication Studies
Indiana University is the largest school system in the state in terms of both population as well as size. It operates a number of campuses in the state like the East campus in Richmond. The close proximity of this campus to the state’s border with Ohio means that a large number of enrolled students actually live in Ohio. Some of its other students live in one state but work in the other. Also called IUE, it offers programs designed for working students and adult learners. Students can also take general education courses here and transfer to another IU branch later.
BA in Communication Studies
One of the Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana that IUE offers is a basic BA in Communication Studies. Students in this program must take an English course and show proficiency in writing before continuing on in the program. Though you can transfer credits to the university, you must complete at least 30 credits of work at the 200 level or higher at IUE. The university will only count classes in which you earn a C or higher in towards your degree. Courses in this program include new media, discussion and decision making, introduction to digital production and public relations.
BS in Communication Studies
To get your BS in Communication Studies from IUE, you’ll need to take 120 credits. As with the last program, the university does let you transfer in some of those credits. You’ll take 12 credits of technology courses, nine hours within the communications core and 18 credits of major core classes. Core classes include foundations of journalism and mass communications, interpersonal communications, gender and communications and nonverbal communications. The university also gives communications students the chance to do an internship. You’ll need to contact your adviser for help finding an internship and then get approval from the university before you start.
Online Communication Studies Degree (BA)
IUE understands that some students have less free time than others, which is why it now offers two online programs in communications. This BA program features 60 credits of foundation work that will include English, math and humanities classes. You’ll also need to take at least 60 credits of communications classes. Those courses include introduction to communication and culture, communication theories, communication research methods and a capstone course that lets you showcase all the knowledge you picked up over the years. Some students will take fewer courses to graduate because of the credits they bring with them into the program.
Online Communication Studies Degree (BS)
Indiana University-East designed its online programs for students who already completed some college in the past. If you bring less than 60 credits with you, you’ll need to take more classes before you can graduate, but most students take around 60 credits of communication courses online. You will need to take a competency course that shows you can handle doing work online in your first semester as well as several introductory classes. The university lets you pick some of the electives that you’ll take to study digital communications, broadcasting, journalism and similar subjects that will relate to your future career.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
2325 Chester Blvd.
Richmond, IN 47374
(765) 973-8200
AskEast@iue.edu
Indiana University-Kokomo
Department of Communication and Performing Arts
Indiana University selected Kokomo to build a branch of its school system in because this city grew so rapidly over the years. Kokoma has a convenient location that puts it just a few hours north of Indianapolis and halfway between the central and northern regions of the state. It’s home to some of the state’s top employers, but some residents commute to a larger city for work too. Indiana University-Kokomo, which many call IUK, caters to both traditional and nontraditional students. It offers degree programs that allow students to live and work on its campus as well as online options.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
IUK offers two of the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana. Both of these programs require that students pick a concentration in public communication, journalism or public relations and corporate communication. Choosing a concentration allows you to take courses that will help you with your career goals, and once you pick a concentration, you do not need to declare a minor, though you still have this option. The BA version of the program features more liberal arts courses and gives students the option of picking from more communication classes when selecting the electives that they need to take.
Bachelor of Science in Communication
As a BS student, IUK gives you the option of declaring a concentration in a specific area of communications or selecting a minor. Choosing a minor allows you to take more classes from outside the communications field. The BS program is also unique because it includes so many communication courses. You’ll have the chance to learn about digital media as well as new and emerging forms of media, journalism and interpersonal communications. IUK students can gain even more skills through internships as well as opportunities on campus like working for the school newspaper. BS graduates can apply for admission to the university’s graduate program too.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
2300 S. Washington St.
Kokomo, IN 46902-9003
(765) 453-2000
Indiana University-Northwest
Communication Department
Another branch of Indiana University is Indiana University-Northwest. Also called IUN, this campus is in Gary, which has a reputation as a rough city. IU chose to build a campus in the city as a way to offer students in the region more opportunities for higher education. Its graduates learn the skills needed to go out into the world and succeed and to help improve the city itself. IUN also offers a number of outreach programs to help high school students go to college and service learning programs that allow current students to give back to those living in Gary.
Communication Studies, B.A.
Though IUN does not offer traditional concentrations like other IU campuses do, it does offer specialization areas that act like a concentration. Your specialization options include new media studies and mass communications, business communications and public relations and cultural and relational communications. You’ll need to take around seven courses from within the concentration that you select as well as required communication courses. Those classes include a capstone class that requires you do some type of final project or paper and an intensive writing class that includes a research paper component. You will need to pick a minor and take 15 credits of minor classes too.
Communication Studies, B.S.
In addition to a BA program, IUN also offers a BS in Communication Studies that ranks among the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana. This program requires that students take more communication classes and fewer classes from other disciplines. The adviser assigned to you from the department must approve the minor that you pick and will ensure that you take enough courses to officially declare your minor. You’ll also need to take a communications writing course that teaches you how to get your point across when writing. BS students will also need to take a capstone course to graduate.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
3400 Broadway
Gary, IN 46408
(888) 968-7486
Indiana University-Purdue University-Northwest
Department of Communication
Both Indiana University and Purdue University operated on their own before deciding to come together to increase the number of opportunities available to students in specific regions of the state. One of the joint campuses that it operates is in Fort Wayne. This campus has the official name of Indiana University-Purdue University-Northwest and the unofficial name of IPFW. Though it has a large population of nontraditional students, it also welcomes traditional students like recent high school graduates and offers online classes that are available to all students. The university also offers two of the Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana.
Communication (B.A.)
One of the two communications programs available through IPFW is a BA in Communication, which is more of a general program that offers a broad overview of communications topics. In addition to general education courses, you must take 15 credits of courses that make up the communication core, including communication theory, applied communication and introduction to communications. There is also a capstone course that you’ll need to take, and the university asks that you do either an internship or a practicum. You’ll need to take 21 credits from within a concentration like rhetoric and public advocacy or media and culture.
Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.S.)
IPFW also offers a degree in communication sciences and disorders that requires students take more health, science and research classes. The core in this program includes 29 credits of courses like acoustic bases of speech and hearing, language development, introduction to assessment audiology and anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism. You’ll then need to pick 12 credits to take from a group of classes, including some that let you learn American Sign Language and others that focus on working with kids. Other courses include principles of sociology, sound and music and introduction to the study of language.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(260) 481-4739
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
Academics
The first partnership between Purdue University and Indiana University happened when the two schools decided to mutually operate a campus in Indianapolis. Though its official name is Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, most refer to this campus as IUPUI. It was one of the first colleges in the state to offer a degree program in public history, which it designed for those who want to work in museums and other settings around people. The campus has a convenient location on University Boulevard, which puts it close to the heart of Indianapolis. Its location makes it easier for students to take advantage of opportunities downtown.
Communication Studies – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
IUPUI offers one of the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana for students who live or want to live in the central portion of the state. Students enrolled in this program must score a C or higher in all classes they take and maintain a 2.0 GPA. Those who fall below this level will need to retake classes and may land on the university’s probation list. Students will take courses on different areas of communications, including health, gender and political communication. The idea is that those courses will help you complete a capstone in your final semester.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
420 University Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-5555
Indiana University-South Bend
Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts
Indiana University-South Bend is a branch of the IU school system in South Bend, which is also home to Notre Dame. This public university serves as an alternative to students who do not want to attend a private college. Located on the eastern edge of the city, the university purchased a number of homes just off its campus that it now rents to students each year, which allows them to easily walk to the campus for their classes. Many students attend IUSB for one to two years and then transfer to another school in the IU system like IUPUI in Indianapolis.
Communication Studies
One option for students looking at Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana is the communication studies program that IUSB offers. This program features a number of concentrations such as interpersonal communication, journalism, media, culture and society, health communication, public relations and organizational communication. Required courses in the communication core include human communication theory, business and professional communication, introduction to speech communication and communication research methods. You’ll also need to take a class on reporting, writing and editing. Completing your concentration will require that you take 24 credits of courses like newspaper reporting, public relations writing and advanced interpersonal communication.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
1700 Mishawaka Ave.
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 520-4872
Indiana University-Southeast
College of Arts and Letters
Indiana University established a campus in the southeast region of the state to meet the needs of students living in both Indiana as well as Kentucky. Called Indiana University-Southeast and IUS, it has a campus in New Albany, which is just a short drive from Louisville. Though some consider it a competitor to the University of Louisville, its student body features a higher number of nontraditional learners than that other university does. Many of its students work in Louisville or live in the city and commute across the bridge for school. IUS students also have access to a wide range of online classes.
Communication Studies
The IUS program ranks among the top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana because this is one of the only programs in the state that allows students to choose a track or area to study. You can enroll in a traditional communication program or pick a track in either organizational communication or strategic communication. The base program includes a cultural component that teaches students how to work with those from other cultures. You’ll take courses like gender and communication and media in the global context. All students in the communication program must take a senior seminar too.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
4201 Grant Line Rd.
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 941-2333
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
Communication and Theatre
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion ranks as one of the top private colleges in the state. Founded as Marion College in 1920, it has an affiliation with the Wesleyan Church. Prior to becoming a college and later a university, it served as a normal school and developed a strong reputation for the education degree programs and classes that it offered. Most call it either Indiana Wesleyan University or WIU. U.S. News & World Report ranked it as one of the best colleges in the Midwest and as one of the best schools for those on a budget because of its low tuition.
Media Communication
When searching for Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana, you’ll find that IWU offers five different programs that you can start each fall or at the beginning of another semester. One of those is a degree in media communication, which focuses on teaching you how to work for the media. You might work for a television studio, on the radio or for a Hollywood production house. Students can get course credit as they work for the campus radio station or television station. You’ll take courses like introduction to TV production, introduction to multimedia storytelling, communication theory and introduction to mass communication.
Strategic Communication
To get a degree in strategic communication from WIU, you must take several lab courses on television and other types of productions and take other required communication classes. The strategic communication core features 20 credits of classes that include both an internship and a practicum. You’ll get credit for the research you do when working on your practicum too. Other required classes in the strategic communication core include symbols and imaging, research methods in communication, principles of public relations and persuasion. The university offers students the option of declaring a minor in strategic communication and taking more communication courses.
Human Communication Studies
IWU created a human communication studies program to meet the needs of those who want to work for a religious organization as well as those who will work with a wide range of people once they graduate. You’ll need to take courses on context in communication, media and society and communication theory. Other courses in this program include interpersonal communication, persuasion and small group communication. The university will also require that you take a course on research methods in communication before you work on your practicum. You can also work with your adviser to pick a communication internships in a later year.
Online B.S. in Communication
To help adult learners and other students with less time, IWU offers several degree programs that are available entirely online like this online B.S. in Communication. Though the program only features 15 communication classes, you have the option of selecting a minor and also taking courses from other programs like the digital communication or strategic communication program. Your required classes will include introduction to multimedia storytelling, introduction to digital media solutions, small group communication, communication theory and symbols and imaging. Though online students do not get the option of doing an internship, they will take two communication seminars.
B.S. in Digital Communication
Another of the top IWU adult programs is this digital communication program that awards graduate a Bachelor of Science. As a cohort program, it pairs you with other learners from similar backgrounds and allows you to work with the same students in most or all of your classes. All classes are available online, and you can earn your degree in just 23 months, though the exact length depends on the credits you transfer. Courses in the digital communication program include still image solutions, web presence solutions, social media solutions, graphic design for digital communication and a communication research practicum.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
4201 S. Washington St.
Marion, IN 46953
(866) 468-6498
Communications degree programs focus on more than just the ways in which people talk with each other and cover subjects that can help you succeed in almost any field. These top Bachelor’s in Communications programs in Indiana give students opportunities to gain professional experience through the use of internships, too.
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Indiana (K-P)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Indiana (Q-Z)