Let’s add 11 more HLC-accredited bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio to the record for free press advocates looking to spark civil discourse in the “Mother of Presidents.” Ranked 14th by Forbes, Ohio is a politically active Midwest bellwether with 11.61 million citizens. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Ohio’s $608 billion economy offers the 25th best opportunities nationwide. Communications grads particularly excel in five of Nielsen’s top 100 markets: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. Popular outlets include The Plain Dealer, GateHouse Media, WCMH-TV, Alternative Press, WTVN 610AM, Cinecraft Productions, and McGraw-Hill. Being media-savvy also helps at Ohio’s 54 Fortune 1000 companies like Procter & Gamble, Parker-Hannifin, Fifth Third Bancorp, Welltower, Vantiv, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Prepare an employable résumé by choosing from the following undergrad communications schools in Ohio (H-M) that speak toward media goals.
First, see: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Ohio (A-G)
Heidelberg University
School of Communication, Humanities & the Arts
Victorious at the 2017 Ohio Forensic Association’s championship, Heidelberg University is a private, Protestant liberal arts OAC member worth $44 million that’s enrolling 1,551 Princes in 74 majors at its 26-building, Victorian Gothic-style Tiffin home on the National Register of Historic Places. Heidelberg is crowned America’s 380th best small school on Niche, 192nd best campus experience by WalletHub, and 232nd most service-oriented institution in Washington Monthly. The School of Communication, Humanities & the Arts has an 85 percent financial aid rate for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio ranked 193rd nationally by College Factual.
Communication Major
Committed to the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee, Heidelberg’s Communication Major currently costs $30,400 annually for learning the ways individuals and cultures interact at a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The 10-course B.A. major directed by Prof. Nathan Cutietta uses the Media Communication Center to study topics like Digital Storytelling, Film Production, and Public Discourse. Undergrads could also write for The Kilikilik, join Pi Kappa Delta, stream WHEI 88.9FM, attend the Patricia Adams Lecture, pursue the PlusOneAdvantage Free MBA, or visit Germany.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
167 Main Street
Tiffin, OH 44883
(419) 448-2005
ncutiett@heidelberg.edu
Hiram College
Traditional Undergraduate Division
Stocking 222,714 books in Teachout-Price Memorial Library, Hiram College is a private, Christian Annapolis Group member founded in 1850 that budgets $32 million to inspire 1,100 Terriers from 18 nations at its 110-acre Portage County campus outside Akron. Hiram was designated America’s 286th most selective school by WalletHub, 155th top liberal arts college on the U.S. News & World Report, and 488th most diverse university on Niche. The Traditional Undergraduate Division was ranked 200th by Forbes with one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio that boasts 94 percent job placement at Key Bank, Sherwin Williams, Robert Half, WEWS-TV, and more.
Communication Major
Following the 12+3 Hiram Plan, the Communication Major chaired by Dr. Xinlu Yu prepares outgoing, open-minded undergrads for reliably conveying information to targeted audiences. The 120-credit Bachelor of Arts presently bills $34,008 per year in four emphases: Public Relations, Sports Communication, Health Communication, and Build-Your-Own. Students can also publish The Advance, join the Zeta Lambda Chapter, attend the Intercultural Forum, travel to Shanghai, intern at Hendrickson Turner, take Weekend College courses, and volunteer at Hattie Larlham.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
11715 Garfield Road
Hiram, OH 44234
(330) 569-6047
yux@hiram.edu
John Carroll University
Tim Russert Department of Communication & Theatre
Earning 1st Place at the 2017 Lincoln Douglas Debate Conference, John Carroll University is a private, coed Catholic AJCU member named for the Archbishop of Baltimore that’s generating $127.2 million by training 3,700 Blue Streaks from 29 states at the 22-building, Gothic-style Cleveland Metro campus. JCU was picked America’s 197th best value in Money magazine, 299th top university by Times Higher Education, and 192nd best private school on Forbes. The Tim Russert Department of Communication & Theatre stands 130th nationally on Niche for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio with state-of-the-art facilities like Klein Studio and Kulas Auditorium.
Communication Major
In O’Malley Center, JCU’s Communication Major trains creative thinkers for investigating the truth and presenting fact on emerging technological platforms. The 42-credit B.A. major headed by Dr. Margaret Finucane currently charges $39,840 yearly for NCA-recognized courses in three concentrations: Digital Media, Integrated Marketing, and Communication Studies. Other opportunities include running WJCU 88.7FM, editing The Carroll News, winning the Meet the Press Fellowship, performing at Second City Improv, pledging Lambda Pi Eta, and exploring Rome.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
1 John Carroll Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44118
(216) 397-4378
mfinucane@jcu.edu
Kent State University
College of Communication & Information
Bestowed the 2016 CMA Pinnacle Award for Newspaper of the Year, Kent State University is a public, land-grant research hub that’s leaving a $3.4 billion impact by employing 10,700 and teaching 28,972 Golden Flashes in 10 colleges at the 131-building “Tree City” campus near W35AX. Kent was chosen America’s 173rd top university by the CWUR, 144th coolest school in Sierra magazine, and 213th most value-added institution in Washington Monthly. ACEJMC-accredited since 1965, the College of Communication & Information attracts 500+ majors to one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio ranked 170th nationally on Niche with 81 percent retention.
Communication Studies Major
Coordinated by Dr. Catherine Goodall, a Doris Gildea Morgan Award winner, Kent’s Communication Studies Major admits freshmen with an average 3.31 GPA for studying the constantly changing ways people express ideas. The 120-credit plan costing $10,756 to $19,458 yearly integrates 130 internship hours into Interpersonal, Global, Health, Applied, Public, and Organizational Communication tracks. Learners may tour Lisbon, publish the Kent Stater, deejay on WKSU 89.7FM, join Lambda Pi Eta, utilize the Spark Innovation Studio, and become Feezel Scholars too.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
300 Midway Drive
Kent, OH 44242
(330) 672-2659
comm@kent.edu
Lake Erie College
School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Home to the 200-seat C.K. Rickel Theater in Royce Hall, Lake Erie College is a small private, progressive CIC member endowed for $33.7 million that’s supporting 1,036 Storm in 35 majors according to Ohio Board of Regents standards at the 18-building Grand River campus by Morley Library. LEC was lauded America’s 207th safest college on Niche, 279th most male-female diverse school by College Factual, and 524th best value in The Economist. The School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences presently charges $29,986 in 10 departments, including one of the most transfer-friendly bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Partnered with Lakeland Community College, LEC’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication has a 2+2 format for associate grads to develop in-depth critical media analysis skills for improving the ways audiences are informed. The 120-credit option organized by Prof. Jeremy Long has 16-week Holden Center courses like Advertising, Visual Communication, and Video Production requiring 2.5 GPAs or better. Majors might also engage in the VCGD Lab, semester in Buenos Aires, intern at The News-Herald, talk sports on WFUN 970AM, and join Gender Equity Club.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
391 Washington Street
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 375-7057
jelong@lec.edu
Malone University
College of Theology, Arts & Sciences
Hosting the Constitution Day Forum at Brehme Center each September, Malone University is a private, Biblical-based CCCU member opened by the Evangelical Friends in 1892 that budgets $29.6 million to inspire 1,613 Pioneers in 51 majors at its 23-building Canton campus near the McKinley National Memorial. Malone was elected America’s 246th best faculty by WalletHub, 69th most conservative school on Niche, and 207th top baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly. The College of Theology, Arts & Sciences also placed 162nd nationally on College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio accepting $20 applications until March 1st.
Communication Arts BA
Starting with the GEN 100 Orientation, Malone’s Communication Arts BA gives students the five most sought-after skills for effectively collaborating on professional endeavors. The 45-credit major managed by Dr. Jason Moyer in Founders Hall currently costs $29,000 annually for applied learning in Public Relations or Theatre, Film, and Media Communication concentrations. Undergrads can also study off-campus in Nashville, join Life Groups, attend the SheLeads Summit, produce The Aviso, broadcast MSN 990AM, become Diversity Ambassadors, and minor in Hebrew.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
2600 Cleveland Avenue NW
Canton, OH 44709
(330) 471-8201
jmoyer@malone.edu
Marietta College
Social Sciences Division
Broadcasting the 9,200-watt WMRT 88.3FM station in McKinney Media Center, Marietta College is a private, residential liberal arts school launched in 1835 that’s gifting $17.5 million to aid 1,175 Pioneers from 31 states at the 90-acre Appalachian Plateau campus with Legacy Library. Marietta was declared America’s 303rd top university by the Wall Street Journal, 335th best private college in Forbes, and 334th best choice on the Social Mobility Index. The Social Sciences Division has selective 61 percent acceptance into another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio nationally ranked 283rd by Niche with a mean SAT score of 1140.
Communication Studies Major
Presently priced $36,040 yearly, Marietta’s Communication Studies Major engages undergrads in stimulating debates to develop persuasive argumentation skills for media careers. The 120-credit, portfolio-building BA directed by Prof. Lori Smith, an Alpha Sigma Delta Teaching Excellence Award winner, spans courses like Journalism, Digital Advertising, and Group Discussion in Mills Hall. Students may also intern at Moroch Partners, compete with Pi Kappa Delta, join the NBS, practice with Fifth Street Consulting, print The Marcolian, and exchange to Australia.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
215 Fifth Street
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 376-4803
las001@marietta.edu
Miami University-Oxford
College of Arts & Sciences
Funding the $16.75 million Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies, Miami University is a “Public Ivy,” research-driven USO constituent originated in 1809 that’s training 17,147 Red Hawks at a 2,138-acre Oxford campus called the most beautiful by Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Frost. Miami was proclaimed America’s 18th best school for entrepreneurs in the Princeton Review, 152nd top value in Kiplinger’s, and 136th best university overall by the CWUR. The College of Arts & Sciences records a 20-year PayScale ROI of $485,000 for 63 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio ranked 55th nationally on Niche.
Media Studies and Communication Major
Boasting 93.7 percent job placement by Fall, Miami’s Media Studies and Communication Major in Upham Hall confers a Bachelor of Arts after high-tech practice creating digital content that ethically informs citizens. The 37-credit major chaired by Dr. Glenn Platt, a Knox Award for Teaching recipient, currently costs $15,378 to $34,894 yearly with Oxford courses from Media Aesthetics to Copywriting. Students could also take the Inside Hollywood Workshop, edit Inklings, join Film Society, run MUTV Channel 15, compete on Mock Trial, attend the O’Hara Lecture, and visit Cuba.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
301 South Campus Avenue
Oxford, OH 45056
(513) 529-3031
cas@miamioh.edu
Mount St. Joseph University
School of Arts & Humanities
Equipping the 24/7 Media Production Lab in Dorothy Meyer Ziv Hall since 2014, Mount St. Joseph University is a private, coed Catholic HCAC member run by the Sisters of Charity that’s endowed for $42 million to enlighten 2,017 Lions at the 92-acre Hamilton County campus with 120 full-time faculty. The Mount was marked for America’s 449th best dorms on Niche, 498th top opportunities by the Social Mobility Index, and 164th best buck in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts & Humanities placed 376th nationally on College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio reporting 60 percent six-year graduation.
Communication & New Media Studies – Bachelor of Arts
In Forbes’ 50th best city for careers, MSJ’s Communication & New Media Studies – Bachelor of Arts prepares competitive alums with the speaking, writing, and interaction skills to transmit valuable messages. The 47-credit major headed by Dr. Lisa Wagner Crews costs $14,500 per term for Christ-centered courses like Public Engagement, Blogfolio Design, and Gender Communication. Learners can publish Dateline, enter the Talent Opportunity Program, stream with MountCast, pledge Delta Tau Delta, venture to Ireland, and attend the Summer Spirituality Institute too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
5701 Delhi Road
Cincinnati, OH 45233
(513) 244-4211
Lisa.Crews@msj.edu
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
School of Arts and Humanities
Honored with NRB Media Production Excellence Awards for 11 years straight, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, coed Nazarene school opened in 1968 with a 327-acre campus at Columbus Delano’s farm that now budgets $31.9 million to serve 2,222 Cougars with 50+ clubs. MVNU was recognized for America’s 276th best education outcomes by WalletHub, 17th best Christian courses on College Atlas, and 432nd top value in Money magazine. Also placed 374th nationally by Niche, the School of Arts and Humanities enrolls 213 in five departments, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio, for residential tuition totaling $37,414 yearly.
Communication Studies Major
Dedicated to Proverbs 3:5-6, MVNU’s Communication Studies Major teaches rhetorical history and theory for developing bright media futures corresponding to the public in Church or secular media settings. The 46-credit B.A. major overseen by Prof. Joseph Rinehart, the 2011 Dan Emmett Leadership Award winner, is customized with Broadcasting, Theatre, Film Studies, Journalism, and Music Production minors. Undergrads might also publish Lakeholm Viewer, host WNZR 90.9FM, intern at Air Culinaire, travel to Israel, and earn the Hernandez Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
800 Martinsburg Road
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
(740) 397-9000 ext. 3511
joe.rinehart@mvnu.edu
Muskingum University
Communication Department
Planning the 2018 Heart of It All Speech & Debate Tournament in Caldwell Hall, Muskingum University is a private, Presbyterian APCU member worth $73.6 million that’s welcoming 2,500 Muskies from 25 states into 68 majors with 70 percent retention at the 21-building New Concord headquarters. Muskingum was selected America’s 161st best free application school on Niche, 501st top university by Times Higher Education, and 349th best educator in Washington Monthly. The Communication Department chaired by Dr. Deborah Phillips ranked 310th nationally on College Factual for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio seeking a mean 22 ACT score.
Communication Major
Currently costing $27,500 per year, Muskingum’s Communication Major capitalizes on the 12:1 student-faculty ratio for active dialogue about how contemporary society shares fact and opinion via digital means. The flexible 31-credit major blends Orbit Media experience with two 60-hour practica during hand-picked courses like Extemporaneous Speaking, Popular Culture, and Interviewing. Other opportunities include deejaying on WMCO 90.7FM, writing for Black & Magenta, venturing to Seoul, joining the Forensics Team, entering the PLUS Program, and minoring in Film.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
163 Stormont Street
New Concord, OH 43762
(740) 826-8211
adminfo@muskingum.edu
In May 2017, the Labor Department summarized that the 60,500 media jobs in Ohio’s 5.37 million workforce provided an average yearly wage of $46,420. However, PayScale lists several bachelor’s-level communication jobs with bigger salaries. Mid-career medians are $81,700 for brand strategists, $72,700 for PR managers, $70,500 for content marketers, $67,100 for news anchors, and $64,300 for social media coordinators. From politics to theatre and education, bachelor’s in communications programs in Ohio are flexible enough to fit most career avenues.
Continue here:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Ohio (N-T)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Ohio (U-Z)