Communication Studies - B.A.
When employers are asked what they look for in new hires, communication skills top the list every time. The key to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies is flexibility. The curriculum allows students to design an individual, communication-based program of coursework that prepares them for the future. The Communication Studies major provides students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed across professional industries — from government and business to nonprofits and education. The program's mission is to teach students to communicate effectively, lead responsibly, understand how communication affects identities, communities and cultures, think analytically and reason critically.
The Communication Studies major comprises the following concentrations (both of which are offered in-person or fully online):
The Applied Communication concentration allows students to gain expertise in organizational communication, advanced presentational speaking, professional writing and visual design. Students combine theoretical knowledge and technical skills while mastering professional tasks such as conducting training seminars, creating web content, designing promotional materials, managing communication campaigns and writing press releases.
The Communication Studies–General concentration features flexibility and choice. Students create a personalized plan of study tailored to their specific academic interests and career goals in areas such as global and intercultural communication, advocacy, social media, corporate communication and workplace consulting, presentational and motivational speaking, campaign design and more. This concentration is appropriate for those who have diverse academic interests. It permits students to take courses across the schools in the College of Communication and Information and provides space for electives that students could use to pursue a minor in another discipline.
Campus Information
Kent Campus
Stark Campus
Intakes
- April
- Oct
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Display competence in verbal, nonverbal and written communication.
- Advocate courses of action to stimulate improved decision-making.
- Influence others through demonstrated presentational speaking skills.
- Communicate ethically.
- Foster inclusive dialogues and tailor messages that respect diversity, empower others and bring about social change.
- Articulate creative, effective and evidenced-based solutions to communication problems.
- Coordinate action, solve problems, foster well-being, engage in critical thinking and participate in civic life.
- Communicate effectively in a technological, multicultural and global society to bring about meaningful social change.
- Apply information and media literacy in an effective and ethical manner.
- The program learning outcomes reflect the university's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, creativity and community outreach and engagement.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
New first-year applicants must finish secondary school in their home country by the time of enrollment to be eligible for university (comparable to the completion of senior high school in the U.S.). A student who has previously enrolled in a post-secondary (higher education) institution is required to apply as a transfer student.
First-year undergraduate applicants should meet the minimum requirement of GPA 2.5 on a U.S. 4.0 scale. Check for specific majors' selective requirements. Students who want a particular program but do not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for the pre-major.
If you are applying for first-year or transfer admission, you are not required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) as per Kent's Test-Optional Policy.
HONORS COLLEGE
International students with outstanding intellectual and creative ability are encouraged to apply to the Honors College. Honors students participate in special classes, taught by distinguished faculty, which are small and emphasize active participation.
All international undergraduate applicants must submit an English language proficiency test score to be considered for a Kent State program unless they meet specific exceptions or apply for conditional admissions.
All undergraduate applicants must obtain one of the following:
TOEFL iBT: 71; Home Edition iBT: 71
Revised PBT: 18 (average score)
IELTS Academic and IELTS indicator: 6.0
Duolingo:100
PTE Academic: 48
Completion of the Kent State University ESL Center Level 8 Intensive English program with a minimum of 3.75 out of 4.0 GPA
ELS Level 112 Intensive English Program completion
SAT: a minimum of 510 evidence-based reading and writing
ACT: a minimum of 21 in English
Please note, Kent State accepts MyBest™ scores for the TOEFL iBT® test, in addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 04 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
164336 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 70 USD
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