Earn a BS in Communication
Do you have strong people skills and enjoy working in fast-paced environments? Learn more about the communication field.
Explore Program Details Start Your Application
What Can You Do with a
Degree in Communication?
Earning a degree in communication will help you become better at writing, researching, organizing, public speaking, presenting, and other valuable skills that employers love.
With a communication degree, you can be successful in a broad array of fields. Here are some of the most common:
Marketing
Marketing is one of the most dynamic, ever-changing fields. Whether you work in-house for an organization or with an agency, you'll get to do things such as create compelling content, conduct market research, and manage campaigns in a way that builds brands and promotes products.
Advertising
Advertising goes hand-in-hand with marketing and public relations. Those who work in advertising help companies and organizations get their products or messages to the right people in the right channels, whether that's through TV, magazines, signage, radio, or many other avenues. If you're quick-witted and are passionate about understanding consumer behavior, this may be the path for you!
Public Relations
The primary role of people in public relations (PR) is to create and maintain a positive image for the individuals, groups, or organizations they represent. They do this by crafting press releases, building social media strategies, speaking to the press, and finding other ways to shape public perception.
Human Resources
The primary function of human resources (HR) employees is to facilitate a positive and high-functioning work environment for both employees and the company. This includes managing the employee lifecycle, such as recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, promoting, and firing. They also advocate for their employees to help set them up for success.
What Salaries Can You Earn with a Communication Degree?
All of these fields have a wide range of jobs and functions, each with its own salary range depending on what you do, where you live, and how much experience you have. On average, you can expect your earning potential to look something like this:
Marketing
$74,464
Sales
$59,594
Public Relations
$62,810
Human Resources
$61,920
Advertising
$55,366
Financing Your Degree:
A Guide to Helping Working Adults Afford Their Degree Completion Program
Want to return to college but not sure about the price tag?
Our guide will help you understand:
- the scholarships, grants, and other financing options available to you (and how to apply for them)
- the expected cost of a degree completion program
- the return on investment (ROI) of finishing your degree
Program Details and Deadlines
Application Requirements
- Must be age 25 or older
- Must have earned 24 hours of undergraduate academic credit
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 for previously completed college courses
- Must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
Admissions Process
- Complete the program application form.
- Provide a statement of purpose.
- Submit your transcripts.
For information on the application requirements and admissions process, visit our Admissions page.
Application Deadlines
Term Start |
Application Deadline |
Summer |
May 1 |
Fall |
August 1 |
Fall 2 |
October 1 |
Start your journey toward finishing your degree in communication
Cynthia Wright
Director of the Adult Degree Completion Program
cwright@southern.edu
423.236.2563
Let's Talk About You
Investing in yourself is always a good idea, especially when the benefits of returning to school to earn your degree are almost endless. It can feel overwhelming at times, but that’s why it’s important to have a trusted adviser in your corner.
Meet Cynthia Wright, director of the Adult Degree Completion Program here at Southern. If you’ve got questions about Southern’s program or want to learn more about what financing options may be available to you, she can show you the way.