Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Communications Studies Track

Columbus State University
Degree Level Bachelors
Total Credit Hours 123

Program Description

The B.A. in Communication-Communication Studies Track degree is carefully designed to help those without a college degree, and for those who cannot attend an on-campus, four-year program. Students may be working full time or part-time, stay-at-home moms, or a soldier wanting to rise through the ranks. They may be professionals wanting to change careers to serve in a more fulfilling capacity or in a leadership position serving their local community, church, or non-profit organization. They may be first-generation, degree-seeking students who are worried about the cost of earning a Bachelor's degree. If so, this program is for you!

The B.A. in Communication-Communication Studies Track is intended for students seeking to make a difference in a community context -- local, regional, statewide and beyond by increasing their capacity as engaged citizens to identify pressing societal concerns and opportunities, analyze the nature and complexity of community and organizational issues, and collaborate with people and institutions to solve shared problems: these problems or opportunities could be in the student's neighborhood, school district, church, a non-profit organization, or anywhere they work or live.

Within the four year curriculum, students pursue academic courses taught fully online. These courses emphasize several communication contexts, including organizational communication, public relations, interpersonal communication, mass communication, intercultural communication, persuasion and conflict management.

This program is carefully crafted to prepare students to develop organizational skills and leadership qualities, understand the nature of managing people and institutions, increase their critical thinking abilities, and most importantly, develop their research and communication skills - whether it is resolving or reducing conflict, enabling healthy negotiations, or increasing interpersonal interactions, these skills are valuable, marketable, and provide students with a competitive edge in the workplace.

Many of our students pursue graduate work after earning a degree in Communication. Our program is an exceptional pre-professional pathway for those interested in attending law school, seminary or seeking graduate degrees in counseling, government, human relations and other helping professions. This program contributes to the quality of life far beyond the workplace. Those who seek to be civic and organizational leaders graduate from the major with knowledge, skills and experiences that can make a real impact in their communities and institutions.

The B.A. in Communication-Communication Studies Track will make students exceptionally well qualified for today's professional environment. According to a 2010 survey by the American Management Association, employers highly value and evaluate employees with the 4C's - communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. These are the skill-sets upon which the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication is based.

Admissions Information

Freshman

Traditional Freshman Student - students who have graduated high school within the last 5 years and have less than 30 transferable college credit hours or no college credit hours.

  • Submit an application along with $40 non-refundable application fee

Columbus State University
c/o Office of Admissions
4225 University Avenue
Columbus, GA 31907

Recent graduates should request transcripts to be submitted electronically.

  • Official SAT and/or ACT scores
    • SAT: 480 Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and 440 Math
    • ACT: 17 English or 17 Reading and 17 Math

Transfer

Transfer Students - students who have attended another college or university.

  • Submit an application along with a $40 non-refundable application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
    • Transfer students with 30+ hours must meet minimum GPA of 2.0
    • Transfer students with 1-29 transferable hours of credit are considered to be Freshman Transfer students and must submit official SAT and/or ACT scores as well as an Official Final High School Transcript. Transfer students who have graduated 5 years or more do not have to submit official SAT or ACT scores.
  • Your immunization record (**immunizations waived for fully online degree programs) and a form of lawful presence must be submitted prior to the start of your first term.

Dual Enrollment

Georgia's new dual enrollment program allows high school students to earn college credit while working on their high school diploma.

For more information, please visit our Dual Enrollment site.

Adult Learners

Adult Learners or Non-traditional students - students who graduated high school more than 5 years ago and are applying with no previous college credit hours.

  • Submit an application along with a $40 non-refundable application fee
  • Official high school transcripts or GED
  • Your immunization record (**immunizations waived for fully online degree programs) and a form of lawful presence must be submitted prior to the start of your first term.

For more information, please visit our Adult Learner site.

Transient

Transient Students - students who are enrolled in one college or university and would like to complete courses temporarily at Columbus State University.

To be considered for admissions as a transient student, please submit the following documents for the first semester of enrollment:

  • An application along with a $40 application fee.
    • Waived if you are enrolling in a fully online degree program or if your home institution is a USG school.
  • A transient permission form signed by the Registrar or other designated official of your current institution approving enrollment for one term as a Transient student.

Prior to beginning your first semester at CSU, please submit:

Additional information for transient students.

Post-Baccalaureate Student

Post-Baccalaureate Student – students who have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may enroll under the classification of post-baccalaureate student. There are three categories to apply as an undergraduate Post-Baccalaureate student: Degree Seeking, Non-Degree seeking, and Teacher Certification.

  • An application along with a $40 application fee
  • Submit an official transcript from the institution that conferred the baccalaureate degree. Other transcripts may be requested if needed.
  • Your immunization record (**immunizations waived for fully online degree programs) and a form of lawful presence must be submitted prior to the start of your first term.

Returning to Columbus State

Returning students refers to students who have previously attended CSU and would like to be readmitted.

  • All former students seeking to re-enroll into Columbus State must complete an application for Readmission.
  • Official transcripts from any school that you have attended since you last enrolled at Columbus State must be submitted.

Note for out-of-state students

If you will be living outside of Georgia while enrolled in courses, please visit our Program State Authorizations and Approvals page before applying to find out if Columbus State University is able to offer your program of interest where you will be living.

If you will be living internationally, or have any questions about state authorization or professional licensure authorization, please contact the State Authorization office at state_authorization@columbusstate.edu. Please include in your email:

  • Your name
  • Where you will be physically present while taking classes
  • Program of interest

The State Authorization office can only address questions related to state or licensing board approvals. For all other questions please contact the appropriate department:

Visit our Out-of-State Student page for more information for students living out of state.