From technical writing to broadcast journalism, the field of communications encompasses a broad spectrum of both the written and verbal word, and students seeking communications degrees in Arizona will discover a variety of options for pursuing their degrees and gaining employment after graduation. According to the 2013 Arizona Republic 100, Arizona’s largest employers include Walmart, Banner Health and Wells Fargo among other similar companies. Communications degrees will help students advance in any field as employers are always looking for people who can address clients appropriately and communicate effectively about products and services. The schools outlined below offer excellent communications degree programs.
University of Arizona
The Department of Communication
Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as number 119 on its Best National Universities list for 2014, the University of Arizona boasts a lengthy history of academic prestige dating back to its establishment in 1885. When it comes to communications degrees in Arizona, the school offers students a rigorous program based on several educational objectives including: the ability to write and speak effectively, an understanding of appropriate and applicable research methodologies, and the development of critical thinking skills relevant to a career in communications. The Department of Communication offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication to this end.
Communication Major — Communication B.A.
Under the University of Arizona’s College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Communication oversees the development of strong undergraduate programs centered on the need for effective communication theories and techniques in the modern world. Students who major in Communications at the University of Arizona will gain valuable hands-on experience while pursuing challenging academic study on coursework related to the modern field of communication. The program requires 120 credit hours of which 33 must be communication core classes. Of the 33 required communication credits, 18 must be completed on campus. Students must also earn a 2.0 GPA or better in 18 of the required credits. Communication courses cover a wide range of topics including persuasion, advanced public speaking, and presidential leadership and communication. Upon completion of the program, students should have the necessary skills to seek a variety of positions that demand high competency in the written and spoken word.
Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Communication Bldg #25
P.O.Box 210025
Tucson, AZ 85721-0025
520-621-1366
trm@email.arizona.edu
Website
Northern Arizona University
School of Communication
Established in 1899, Northern Arizona University enjoys a rich tradition of academic achievement and diverse degree offerings while maintaining a relevant foothold in today’s collegiate environment. Housed under the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the School of Communication offers several options for students seeking communications degrees in Arizona. From journalism and photography to electronic media and graphic arts, the school seeks to educate students on a variety of topics that play an important role in the modern field of communications while developing students’ skills in appropriate technology and business acumen in preparation for careers covering a wide range of fields.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications
Communication takes new form in the 21st century, and Northern Arizona University addresses this transformation with its Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication degree program designed for students who want to become web designers and work in fields where visual communication outshines traditional forms. Courses cover topics such as color theory, illustration, interactivity, layout, motion and photography while offering a broader perspective on the growing need for effective visual communication. Students can choose an emphasis in Interactive Design or Graphic Design along with their undergraduate degree, but both emphases require certain core requirements as determined by the bachelor’s curriculum. Core curriculum includes at least 35 hours on topics such as mass communication law and fieldwork experience. For students interested in careers covering game design, advertising, museums or a variety of other visually centered media, the B.F.A. offered by Northern Arizona University will give them a solid grounding in the necessary subjects needed for job growth.
Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Box 5619
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5619
928-523-8114
C.S.Johnson@nau.edu
Website
Arizona Christian University
Undergraduate Programs
Founded as a Baptist college in 1960, Arizona Christian University has evolved into an evangelically minded university serving the needs of students who desire to earn a degree in conjunction with Christian biblical doctrine. All of the universities programs are designed with this key objective in mind, and faculty and students must agree to an affirmation of faith for participation in the school. Under the school’s undergraduate programs division, Arizona Christian University offers a Bachelor of Science in Communication degree program that enables students to explore one of three concentrations in the field of communication while enhancing their grounding in biblical teachings and scholarship.
Bachelor of Science in Communication
Students seeking communications degrees in Arizona will find an interesting approach with Arizona Christian University’s Bachelor of Science in Communication program. According to the school’s website, communication “is an act that is distinctly human.” The school approaches communication in terms of its relationship to Christianity and develops a program that specifically addresses this religious influence. The degree blends the Christian message with traditional coursework on modern communication theories and practice. Students must choose one of three emphases: broadcasting, film and journalism. Each emphasis requires 124 credit hours covering a broad range of communication subjects and coursework. Per the educational objectives outlined by the department, at the end of the program students should be able to communicate effectively in their chosen profession, understand how their Christian faith impacts their communication skills, apply an ethical approach to effective communication, persuade audiences and engage in appropriate discourse, and articulate Christian values as necessary.
Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
2625 E. Cactus Road
Phoenix, AZ 85032
602-489-5300
info@arizonachristian.edu
Website
Mesa Community College
Department of Communication, Theatre & Film Arts
With more than 180 degrees and certificate programs, Mesa Community College offers students a variety of choices whether they pursue traditional campus coursework or take advantage of Mesa’s online offerings. Founded more than 50 years ago, the school gives students the flexibility they need to take classes on their own schedule, and the Department of Communication, Theatre & Film Arts continues this tradition by giving students ample room to explore alternative degree schedules. The department strives to enable its students to develop strong communication skills and effective interpersonal abilities that translate into real-world aptitude for careers in the communications industry.
Associate in Arts in Communications
For students seeking communications programs in Arizona, the Associate in Arts in Communication program at Mesa Community College offers an introductory look at the ever-changing field of written and verbal communication. Students enjoy small class sizes and a hands-on approach to learning that enables them to understand the basics of the field. Courses include subjects such as business communication, voice and diction, and argumentation. With an Associate in Arts in Communications program from Mesa Community College, students will work toward an associate’s degree while earning credits that will transfer to Arizona State University as part of a transfer program offered by the Maricopa Community College network of schools. From there, students will be able to enroll in a traditional four-year program to earn a bachelor’s in communications. In order to take advantage of this transfer program, students will need to meet with an adviser to develop a curriculum that reflects Arizona State’s transfer policy.
Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Southern and Dobson Campus
1833 West Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ 85202
480-461-7524
susan.olson@mesacc.edu
Website
University of Phoenix
College of Humanities and Sciences
The University of Phoenix has long been a pioneer in the world of online degrees, and thousands of students worldwide enjoy the flexibility of earning a degree online while working their regular jobs. While the University of Phoenix offers online programs, Arizona hosts a physical campus in Phoenix that enables local students to engage in a more traditional college experience while still enjoying the benefit of world-class faculty and affordability. The College of Humanities and Sciences offers an on-campus and online Bachelor of Science in Communication with a concentration in Marketing and Sales degree for students interested in a career in sales communications.
Bachelor of Science in Communication with a concentration in Marketing and Sales Communication
Communication skills not only shape how people interact with each other but how products are sold and companies are represented to the public. By pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Communication with a concentration in Marketing and Sales Communication from the University of Phoenix, students will learn how to transform a communications degree into a powerful tool for careers in sales and marketing. The University of Phoenix offers a broad range of courses designed to enhance communication skills, instill critical thinking abilities and educate students on effective information gathering. While the communications B.S. degree focuses on transference of information, the marketing and sales concentration hones in on the psychology of consumer behavior and how it relates to buying decisions. The program requires 120 credit hours covering topics such as mass communications, intercultural communication, and public relations and message management. Students may apply work experience for credit hours and should speak with an adviser to learn more.
Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
1625 West Fountainhead Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85282-2371
602-557-2000
Instant chat available on website
Website
As technology enhances the way people communicate, those with communication skills and degrees will enjoy ample growth opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of jobs for technical writers will grow 15 percent over the next decade, and technical writers earn a decent median salary of $65,500 annually. To further their careers, students looking for communications degrees in Arizona will find quality programs at the schools listed above.
