10 Fastest Online Communications Degrees 2025

Communications is a broad field that can lead to careers like public relations specialist or crisis communication expert. These programs teach the fundamentals of public and professional communication, while also honing skills in critical thinking and public speaking.

Those eager to complete their degree and reach their communications career goals can do so through a flexible, online, accelerated degree. Keep reading to discover the best online communications degree programs that you can complete quickly.

Fastest Online Communications Degree Programs

Multiple colleges and universities across the United States offer accelerated online communications degrees that allow students to graduate more quickly than the standard four years. We've highlighted 10 fast online communications degree programs below.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication, both of which offer two specializations: communication and healthy relating or workplace, organizational, and leadership communication.

Online students at ASU can accelerate their program in a number of ways. Terms are seven and a half weeks, allowing students to finish more quickly, and summer terms are available. Additionally, students can transfer in up to 64 college credits.

2. Colorado State University

Colorado State University is a public research university in Fort Collins, CO. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in communication studies that helps students hone their communication skills in three specific areas:

• media and visual culture
• relational and organizational studies
• rhetoric and civic engagement

Students can accelerate their studies by bringing in transfer credits and intensifying their course load. Summer sessions are also available, so students can keep learning year-round.

3. Franklin University

Franklin University is a private nonprofit university in Columbus, OH. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in communications that includes coursework on:

• digital media
• intercultural communication
• organizational communication
• strategic communication

Franklin allows students to transfer in up to 94 credit hours into their bachelor's program. It also offers six and 12-week classes and multiple start dates, allowing students to start right away and finish as quickly as they'd prefer.

4. Louisiana State University of Alexandria

Louisiana State University of Alexandria is a public college in Alexandria, LA. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies online that covers fundamental concepts like:

• communication research methods
• mass media
• persuasive communication
• visual communication

While this program is open to all undergraduate students, it's especially great for those looking for a degree completion program, as students can get credit for previous coursework but also for professional certifications, military training, and Prior Learning Assessments. This reduces the overall amount of online courses you'll need to take.

5. National University

National University is a private, nonprofit university based in San Diego. It offers an online BA in communications with optional concentrations in creative communication and strategic communication, both of which include courses on communication theory and conclude with a capstone.

The university accepts transfer credits and offers credit for prior learning. It also allows students to start sooner and finish faster by offering year-round enrollment and four-week courses.

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit university in Manchester, NH. It offers a BA in communications online with four optional specializations:

• business communication
• new media
• professional writing
• public relations

Students at SNHU can speed through their programs with accelerated, eight-week courses and online learning during the summer. They can also transfer in up to 90 college credits toward their communication degree.

7. UMass Global

UMass Global is a private, nonprofit, online college associated with the public University of Massachusetts. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in communications and media that includes courses on:

• intercultural communication
• media studies
• public speaking
• strategic social media

The university offers multiple ways for students to earn college credit, including accepting transfer credits and offering credit for military training, work experience, or exams. Courses are offered on an accelerated schedule with six terms each year, including in the summer.

8. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is a public research university in Cincinnati, OH. It offers an online BA in communications that includes communication courses that cover topics like:

• communication theory
• effective communication
• mass communication
• public relations

UC allows students to finish their communication degrees faster by offering online courses during the summer. Students can also bring in up to 90 transfer credits.

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It offers a bachelor's in communication with courses on:

• communication theory
• mass communication and media studies
• news writing
• public relations theory

The university offers multiple ''fast paths to credit,'' including transfer credits, credit by exam, credit for industry certification and professional courses, and credit for military education and training. Courses last eight weeks and are available in summer.

10. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public university in Oshkosh, WI. Its BA in communication studies provides a solid foundation in interpersonal communication and organizational communication and includes two capstone projects.

The online programs at UW Oshkosh are offered on an accelerated, seven-week schedule and have multiple start dates each year. The university also accepts transfer credits as well as credits for military education or experience.

How To Earn Your Communications Degree Quickly

Online bachelor's degrees are often designed so students can get through their programs quickly and reach their career goals faster. This differs from on-campus programs, which usually have a more traditional schedule.

There are several ways that a college may help a communications major move through their undergraduate degree more quickly, including:

Accelerated Degree Path

Accelerated degree paths are programs that use multiple methods to get a student through a program more quickly. They usually include more intensive courses and summer classes.

Transfer Credit Policies

Many colleges and universities will accept college credits from regionally accredited schools. If you come into your communications program with an associate degree, you may be able to bypass general education requirements entirely and focus specifically on your communications core courses and electives.

Prior Learning Assessments (PLA)

Prior learning assessments are exams that gauge how much you know about a topic. If you pass the assessment, you'll be able to skip courses on that topic.

Intensive Study Options

Intensive study options refer to more condensed courses. These are courses that last four to eight weeks instead of the usual 16. Part-time students only take one per term, but full-time students take two, and can take three to speed up their degrees.

Summer Classes

Most of the time, the four-year estimate for degrees factors in full-time study in the fall and spring, with summers off. By taking online classes, you're still completing the same number of terms, but finishing your degree in fewer years.

Is an Accelerated Bachelor's Degree in Communication Right for Me?

If you're ready to jump-start your career path in communications, an accelerated bachelor's degree may be right for you. These programs are usually a lot of work, but they'll lead you to a communications career faster.

You can also look into affordable online communications degree programs, if you are concerned about paying for your degree. These options, although they may not all be accelerated, will let you earn your degree without breaking the bank.

Find an Online Bachelor's Program Today

To start your online bachelor's degree program in communications right away, explore the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual programs today to learn more about ways to accelerate your learning, as well as things like admissions requirements, tuition rates, and financial aid.