Ready for more bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts? Well, the middle of the alphabet has 11 schools that prepare “Bay State” residents for diving into media-related careers. The U.S. News & World Report has ranked this New England state’s educational system #1 with a 55.2 percent college attainment rate. Studying communications can translate into jobs with outlets like the Dorcester Reporter, NBC Sports Boston, WXKS 1200AM, Kids on the Cape magazine, WGGB TV, and others. Big PR firms, including Cone Communications, Fleishman Hillard, Highwire, Rasky Partners, and Weber Shandwick, have Massachusetts offices. Worth $12 trillion collectively, the Fortune 500 companies, such as Mass Mutual, Raytheon, State Street Corp, and Boston Scientific, also need skilled communicators. The following article outlines NEASC-accredited offerings at undergraduate communications colleges in Massachusetts that nurture impactful rhetoric.
First, see: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Massachusetts (A-E)
Also see our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Fisher College
School of Management and Communications
Sitting across Longfellow Bridge along Boston’s Charles River near the MBTA Arlington Street Station, Fisher College is a private, nonsectarian institution opened by Edmund and Myron Fisher in 1903 that’s teaching 2,560 Falcons. Fisher is ranked the North’s 32nd best university by the U.S. News & World Report and America’s 257th most focused communications school on College Factual. Presently billing $28,645 annually, the School of Management and Communications offers one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with optional Advertising, Video Production, and Journalism concentrations.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies
Chaired by Dr. Michael Meadows, Fisher’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies caps classes at 30 for engaging, individualized study on the means organizations utilize to express themselves. The 120-credit degree’s required courses like Intermediate Writing and Media Criticism are available during daytime in-person or in an eight-week online format. Majors might also intern at Regan Communications, attend MARCO events, join Sigma Alpha Pi, earn the $3,000 Falcon Scholarship, or take the Semester at Sea.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
118 Beacon Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 670-4451
mmeadows@fisher.edu
Program Link
Fitchburg State University
Communications Media Department
Known for hosting the KCACT Region I Festival from 2006 to 2009, Fitchburg State University is a public, civic-engaged coeducational institution that’s budgeting $86 million to inspire 7,262 Falcons at its 48-building Worcester County campus with the Conlon Hall Media Wall. Fitchburg was proclaimed America’s 203rd most liberal school on Niche, 116th best college by the Social Mobility Index, and 569th top university in Washington Monthly. The Communications Media Department publishes The Point while delivering one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with 75 percent admission.
Bachelor of Science in Communications Media
Currently costing $423 in-state and $677 out-of-state per credit, Fitchburg’s Bachelor of Science in Communications Media is a daytime program that trains skilled wordsmiths for conveying knowledge on 21st-century technologies. The 54-credit major directed by Dr. Mary Baker has concentrations in Film & Video, Graphic Design, Photography, Theater, or Professional Communication. Students could also intern at National Geographic, enter the Visions Honors Program, broadcast on WXPL 91.3FM, join Improv Club, and add the Online Web Development Certificate.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Conlon Building 237
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
(978) 665-3058
mbaker1@fitchburgstate.edu
Program Link
Gordon College
Fine Arts Division
Presenting the Adoniram Judson Gordon Memorial Speech Competition each April, Gordon College is a private, evangelical Christian Annapolis Group member founded in 1889 that’s endowed for $35 million to confer 38 Biblical-based majors to 2,109 Fighting Scots in Essex County. Gordon is deemed America’s 168th best liberal arts institution by the U.S. News & World Report, fifth safest college on Niche, and sixth most religious school in The Princeton Review. The Fine Arts Division at Barrington Center admits students with an average 3.59 GPA into one of the internship-required bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts.
Communication Arts Major (B.A.)
Featuring a 12:1 student-professor ratio, Gordon’s Communication Arts Major (B.A.) sharpens undergrads’ creative vision for telling compelling stories across diverse mediums for $37,400 yearly tuition. Led by Dr. Christine Gardner, a Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award recipient, the 44-credit major has four concentrations: Film & Video, Journalism, Public Relations & Advertising, or Intercultural Communication. Other opportunities include taking the Balkans Semester, joining Dialogue Club, entering the Gordon Globes, and performing with Sweaty-Toothed Madmen.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
255 Grapevine Road
Wenham, MA 01984
(978) 867-4397
christine.gardner@gordon.edu
Program Link
Hampshire College
School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies
Home to the Jerome Liebling Media Center, Hampshire College is a private, nonprofit Five College Consortium member opened in 1965 that’s endowed for $40 million to serve 1,400 students at its 800-acre Pioneer Valley campus in Amherst near Mt. Holyoke Park. Hampshire is declared America’s 150th best-loved college in Forbes, 81st best test-optional school on Niche, and 303rd top university overall by Times Higher Education. The School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies presents 14 majors, including another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts, for $25,015 per full-time semester.
Communications and Media Studies Major
Utilizing the Media Makers Lab, Hampshire’s Communications and Media Studies Major gives hands-on experience creating cultural products that distribute thought-provoking content. Headed by Dr. Eva Rueschmann, the four-year program has an Early Action deadline of December 1st or Regular Decision deadline of January 15th to begin courses like Cinema Production and International News Writing. Undergrads could also intern at Fox Sports, broadcast on KIX 100.9FM, edit The Climax, exchange to Goldsmiths University, and join Crazy Pitches.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Cole Center 115
893 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 559-5378
ERHA@hampshire.edu
Program Link
Lasell College
School of Communication & the Arts
Publishing The 1851 Chronicle, Lasell College is a private, coed ECAC member “Ignorant of Defeat” that’s endowed for $22.4 million to educate 1,600 Lasers with connected learning on its 50-acre Auburndale campus seven miles from Boston. Lasell was decreed America’s 221st best value on WalletHub, 135th top baccalaureate school in Washington Monthly, and 375th safest college by Niche. The School of Communication & the Arts has six bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts rolled into one with 95 percent job placement at Vicom, Reebok, CNBC, The Boston Herald, and more.
Communication Major
Directed by Dr. Aaron Toffler, Lasell’s Communication Major offers funds like the Williams Morgan Scholarship to cover the $34,700 annual tuition and build the critical thinking skills to analyze media messaging tactics. The 125-credit, interdisciplinary B.S. plan has tracks for Journalism, Creative Advertising, Entertainment Media, Sports Communication, Public Relations, and Radio/Video Production. Students can contribute to Tarnished, take the Fifth-Year MSC Option, attend COMDAY events, broadcast on WLAS 102.9FM, visit the National Press Club, and join Brennan Bookends too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Donahue Hall, 1st Floor
1844 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02466
(617) 243-2039
atoffler@lasell.edu
Program Link
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Studies Division
Established as North Adams Normal School in 1894, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is an enterprising public, state-funded COPLAC member that’s endowed for $10.1 million to inspire 1,891 Trailblazers in 50+ well-rounded majors at the 105-acre Berkshires campus. MCLA is crowned America’s 184th top high school counselor pick by the U.S. News & World Report, 73rd most liberal university on Niche, and 154th best Peace Corps college in Washington Monthly. The Undergraduate Studies Division presently charges $10,075 in-state or $19,020 out-of-state for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts.
English/Communications Major
Conferring a Bachelor of Arts, MCLA’s English/Communications Major lays the literary foundation for students to adapt their oral and written skills for various media career avenues. Chaired by Dr. Paul LeSage, the 48-credit major utilizes resources like the AVID Editing Suite to grant specializations in Broadcast Production, Film Studies, Journalism, Literature, Public Relations, or Writing. Undergrads may also publish The Beacon, run WJJW 91.1 FM, intern with the Associated Press, join Debate Club, attend the Leadership Conference, and study away in Guam.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Mark Hopkins Hall 102B
375 Church Street
North Adams, MA 01247
(413) 662-5467
P.Lesage@mcla.edu
Program Link
Merrimack College
School of Liberal Arts
On the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, Merrimack College is a private, Catholic ASEA member of the Northeast-10 that’s endowed for $49.9 million to share wisdom with 3,653 undergrad Warriors from 29 nations at its 220-acre campus near Lake Cochichewick. Merrimack was judged America’s 161st best free application college on Niche, 271st top private university in Forbes, and 316th best value by Money magazine. The School of Liberal Arts infuses Augustinian values into another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio.
Communication and Media Major
For $39,390 yearly before financial aid, Merrimack’s Communication and Media Major lets undergrads with minimum 2.0 GPAs complete a Bachelor of Arts that surveys how people comprehend each other’s ideas. The 40-credit, humanities-based major organized by Dr. Jacob Turner offers specializations in Mass Communication, Media Production, Organizational Communication, or Strategic Marketing. Students may also add the Film Studies Minor, write for The Beacon, deejay for WMCK Radio, attend the Intercollegiate Retreat, join the OnStagers Dramatic Society, and visit Prague.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Cushing Hall 206
315 Turnpike Street
North Andover, MA 01845
(978) 837-3552
turnerjs@merrimack.edu
Program Link
Mount Ida College
School of Social Sciences & Humanities
Acquired by UMass Amherst in 2018, Mount Ida College is a historically women-centric private, nonprofit GNAC school founded by George Franklin Jewett that’s endowed for $23.5 million to enroll 1,450 Mustangs at its 72-acre Newton location near West Roxbury. Mount Ida was chosen America’s 393rd most conservative college on Niche, 212nd top value by WalletHub, and 343rd best baccalaureate in212thtion in Washington Monthly. The School of Social Sciences & Humanities has 10 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts, selecting 68.5 percent of entrants with an average 950 SAT score.
Media Communication Bachelor of Arts
Smoothing transitions via the CONNECT Program, Mount Ida’s Media Communication Bachelor of Arts supports high school grads seeking to become responsible media makers on today’s digital interfaces. Overseen by Dr. Roberta Steinberg, the 48-credit major costing $36,300 annually blends courses like Television Studio Production, Social Media, and Advertising within a living-learning community. Other opportunities include joining Dramatis Populus, adding the Professional Writing Minor, engaging with All Hands In, venturing to India, and broadcasting on NEWTV.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
ATC Building 234
777 Dedham Street
Newton, MA 02459
(617) 928-4675
rgsteinberg@mountida.edu
Program Link
Newbury College
School of Arts & Sciences
Linked to 10,157 LinkedIn alumni, Newbury College is an accredited private, nonprofit ECAC institution established by Edward Tassinari in 1962 that’s endowed for $2.1 million to grant 20 career-focused degrees at the 10-acre Fisher Hill campus in President John F. Kennedy’s birthplace. Newbury is named America’s 216th best location on Niche, 132nd top value by WalletHub, and 100th best community service college in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts & Sciences preserves a median class size of 18 for one of the engaged bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with 62 percent freshman retention.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Presently priced at $33,940 per year, Newbury’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication empowers tech-savvy students to produce well-informed media content for diverse audiences using convergent mediums. The 122-credit curriculum advised by Dr. Brian MacAuley requires an internship and year-long capstone in three concentrations: Journalism, Public Relations, or Media Production. Undergrads may also declare Honors, earn the Dean’s Scholarship, join Anime Club, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, attend the Leadership Academy, travel to Bulgaria, and finish the Computer Science Minor.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Holland Hall 304
129 Fisher Avenue
Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 730-7220
brian.macauley@newbury.edu
Program Link
Nichols College
English Department
Topping Worcester Business Journal’s Readers Poll thrice since 2014, Nichols College is a private, nonprofit NAICU academy established 200+ years ago by industrialist Amasa Nichols that’s endowed for $11.3 million to teach 1,570 Bison from a 200-acre Dudley campus on the Connecticut border. Nichols was lauded for America’s 259th best graduation rate in Washington Monthly and 535th most conservative learners on Niche. The English Department awards funding like the Founders Grant and Dean’s Achievement Scholarship to cover the $33,800 yearly price for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication
Reporting a 20-year net ROI of $255,000 on PayScale, Nichols’ Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication opens a myriad of media professions from green rooms to publishing offices with sharp speaking skills. The 120-credit degree chaired by Dr. Kellie Deys builds on 53 credits of general education with courses like Visual Communication, Argumentation, and Psychology of Advertising. Students could become Honors Scholars, study abroad in China, enter the Emerging Leaders Program, edit The Ledger, broadcast on WNRC 97.5FM, and join the Elbridge Boyden Society too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
129 Center Road
Dudley, MA 01571
(508) 213-2241
kellie.deys@nichols.edu
Program Link
Pine Manor College
Communication Department
Affiliated with the Minuteman Library Network, Pine Manor College is a private, liberal arts AICUM member that went coeducational in 2014 to educate 450 Gators in nine majors with a $9.5 endowment at its 50-acre Chestnut Hill campus called Roughwood. PMC is ranked America’s 229th best liberal arts school by the U.S. News & World Report, 182nd top baccalaureate college in Washington Monthly, and 131st most diverse institution on College Factual. The Communication Department led by Dr. Eileen McLaughlin grants one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with 74 percent acceptance.
Communication Major
Removed from NEASC probation in March 2018, Pine Manor’s Communication Major is a multifaceted, project-based B.A./B.S. option for undergrads to explore techniques for informing consumers in several media industries. The 10-course major stands atop the liberal arts core with three available specializations for New Media, Journalism, or Visual Communication. Students might also intern at Cradles to Crayons, go live on WCVB-TV, continue for the MFA in Creative Writing, join Model United Nations, study in Morocco, and review Annenberg Library journals.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
400 Heath Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 731-7656
emclaughlin@pmc.edu
Program Link
Business Insider shows that communications grads can earn around $100K in bachelor’s-level careers like public relations manager, HR director, software developer, sales manager, and marketing specialist. The Commonwealth was also ranked #4 for technical writers with a mean wage of $86,130 on the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continue looking through the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts to open lucrative, dream media jobs: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Massachusetts (Q-Z)