Are Online Communications Degrees Legitimate?

What To Look For in an Online Communications Degree Program

Here are some important signs that an online communications degree is legitimate and respected.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the single most important indicator that an institution of higher education is legitimate. There are several types of accreditations to be aware of:

• Institution-wide regional accreditation: Applies to all degrees awarded by a university or college. Regional accreditation bodies ensure that each program meets strict quality guidelines and requirements. Nearly all reputable institutions will be accredited.
• Domain-specific accreditations: Can be awarded to a specific department and typically pertain to an industry or field of study. Domain-specific accreditations are an additional qualification above and beyond institution-wide regional accreditation.
• The Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC): Is a domain-specific accreditation. Communications programs with ACEJMC accreditation must meet additional requirements designed by industry experts.

Reputation

While all accredited online communications programs must meet a minimum standard, some programs have earned a reputation for excellence. Departments that have a strong reputation often employ world-class instructors who can raise the quality of the education.

Programs with outstanding reputations may also have stronger alumni and industry networks that can help students make connections and find job opportunities.

Nonprofit Vs. For-Profit Degrees

The profit status of an institution is another factor to consider. Nonprofit universities are far more common. Public universities will almost always be nonprofit.

For-profit universities are funded by investors and often offer a slightly smaller range of employment-focused degrees. Both nonprofit and for-profit institutions can be accredited and legitimate.

Graduation Rates

While there are many factors influencing a university's graduation rate, it may provide some information about the student experience.

Online communications degrees with high graduation rates can indicate happy students who have been guided and supported by:

• Instructors
• Academic advisors
• Other staff

Differences Between Online Communications Degrees and Traditional Communications Degrees

The differences between online and traditional communications degrees are minimal. Universities that offer a communications degree in both traditional and online formats will typically have the same required courses and curricula.

While online communications degrees may not be able to facilitate face-to-face communication, they can compensate by assigning students to local internships and work placements.

Benefits of Earning Your Communications Degree at an Online School

Remote work and the digital economy have reshaped the face of modern professional communication. Here are some benefits of studying communication online:

• An online communications degree will give students high-quality training in cutting-edge communication technologies and the ability to express themselves clearly in any media format.
• The types of interactions online communications students will have with instructors and classmates mirror common forms of interactions in the modern workplace and can provide online students with a competitive advantage.

Featured Online Communications Degree Programs

Here are some high-quality online communications degrees identified for their accreditation, student outcomes, and strong reputations.

1. Arizona State University

Students looking for online communication degrees should consider Arizona State University (ASU). ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been named a top 20 university for humanities research by the National Science Foundation.

Arizona State University's mass communications programs are accredited by the ACEJMC.

ASU offers online communication degrees such as:

• Bachelor of Science in communication
• Bachelor of Arts in communication
• Bachelor of Science in mass communication and media studies
• Bachelor of Arts in business communication
• Master of Science in communication

2. University of Louisville

The University of Louisville (UofL) offers an online Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in communications. UofL is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Any degree earned online will be awarded with the same diploma as in-person degree programs, so student transcripts will not show that the degree was earned online.

3. West Texas A&M University

The Department of Communication at West Texas A&M University is made up of a team of expert faculty with real-world experience in the communication industry. The American Communication Association accredits the communication department and the university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Students can enroll in an online Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in strategic communication. There is also an option to add a strategic communication concentration to another bachelor's degree.

4. Drexel University

Students looking for a highly-regarded online communications degree should consider Drexel University. Drexel University is a respected institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Drexel University has a high graduation rate and employs industry experts to teach both in-person and online courses. The online communications degrees available are:

• Bachelor of Arts in communication
• Master of Science in strategic and digital communication

5. Colorado State University Global

95% of Colorado State University Global (CSUG) alumni say they would recommend the program to family or friends. CSUG is fully accredited and 84% of faculty hold a terminal degree.

CSUG offers an online Bachelor of Science in communication. CSUG maintains strong relationships with major corporations to facilitate employee tuition reimbursement programs and job placements.