Communication studies

B.A. or B.S.
Online
delivery
$384 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4
start terms/year

Effective communicators get results through their ability to explain, persuade, motivate and collaborate. They’re valuable in almost any field, and when you earn a bachelor’s degree in communication studies online from Oregon State University, you’ll become one of them. 

Explore interpersonal communication, conflict management, persuasive messaging and professional writing through online coursework and small-group exercises. Then, work with your academic advisor to tailor your degree plan through electives that match your interests. You’ll build meaningful, transferable expertise that will serve you well throughout your career. 

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online communication studies degree program

As a student in Oregon State’s online communication studies degree program, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert Oregon State faculty who have real-world industry experience. 

  • Strategic messaging
  • Consensus building
  • Rhetorical strategy
  • Evidence-based reasoning
  • Team collaboration
  • Conflict negotiation
  • Audience analysis and segmentation
A group of five professionals in a modern office engaged in a collaborative discussion, sharing ideas and reviewing printed materials
Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2026 - U.S. News & World Report

Program details

Explore how people communicate, connect, collaborate and solve problems across personal, professional and societal contexts. Whether you’re just entering the job market, hoping to pivot to something new or preparing for graduate programs, this communication studies major can help you move forward with purpose. 

The online communication studies program is offered by Oregon State’s College of Liberal Arts.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your degree in communication studies, including:

A seated audience listens as panelists discuss and gesture during a presentation with data visuals behind them

Additional program features

No internship is required for this degree program, but you can apply up to 6 credits earned through an internship toward your major. You could use your current job for internship credit if that’s approved by a program faculty member. 

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a certificate or microcredential online with Oregon State. Choose from a large collection of short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.

Careers

A communication studies degree serves as a powerful foundation for any career built on persuasive advocacy, logical discourse and the effective exchange of ideas. Put your skills to work in corporate strategy, nonprofit leadership, government affairs and more.

Job market outlook

Use the interactive tool on this page to discover employment trends, top occupations and salary details for professionals who have skills related to communication studies. Please be aware that completing a program related to the job market information shown here does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.