Bachelor of Science in
Communication
The B.S. in Communication hones students’ abilities to be influential communicators, skilled at transforming complex information into engaging messages.
About the Bachelor of Science in Communication
A Bachelor of Science in Communication from Embry-Riddle equips students with the skills and experience necessary to be influential communicators able to blend science and technology. The program focuses on enhancing communication skills, with a focus on media literacy, public relations law and visual design. Students have the flexibility to tailor their degree by selecting minor courses of study, culminating internship or capstone experience or a program specialization for Worldwide students.
The Communication program encourages students to grow their communication skills with the goal of crafting compelling messages for diverse audiences. Students learn to gather and disseminate information to various audiences, explore communication in multiple areas, think critically and apply communication methodologies.
Why You Should Study this Degree
The communication field focuses on understanding how people exchange information, emotions and ideas through various media channels. A career in communication may be for you if you:
- Believe change stems from communication.
- Enjoy crafting impactful messages.
- Have a passion for building relationships.
- Thrive in fast-paced environments.
Student Learning Outcomes
While pursuing a communication degree, you will learn to:
- Analyze research techniques and the principles of scientific inquiry.
- Become practiced in scientific and technical communication for aviation, aerospace, environmental science and other technology-based industries.
- Evaluate the laws, ethics, cultural and societal aspects of mass communication.
- Explore new media communications including social media, blogging, website content and more.
- Gain a strong foundation in the basic concepts of communicating in today’s technology-centric world.
- Get hands-on experience with visual design, photography, news writing and reporting.
Communication Career Opportunities
Careers and Employers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 14% job growth in media and communication roles between 2020 and 2030. Embry-Riddle graduates are set to enter the workforce with a placement rate of 100% within a year of graduation, often securing roles as:
- Aerospace Journalist/Reporter
- Aviation Communications Operator
- Flight Communications Specialist
- Marketing & Communications Specialist
- Pilot Manual Writer
- Private Aviation Writer
- Technical Writer
Communications majors tend to enter the industry with companies such as:
- Delta Air Lines
- Lockheed Martin
- NASA
- The Boeing Company
Communication Salary Information
Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Communication tend to receive competitive salaries, with an average income of $86,620 annually, as of 2023.
DETAILS
About Communication at the Worldwide & Online Campus
As today’s world is increasingly influenced by developments in new media, science and technology, the demand for skilled communicators continues to grow. Embry‑Riddle’s online B.S. in Communication integrates science and technology with communication fundamentals, including news writing, new media and public speaking.
The Worldwide Communication program holds a prestigious STEM designation, recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under CIP code 09.0702: Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. This one-of-a-kind designation allows students to specialize in one of two areas to gain an advantage post-graduation.
Additionally, Embry‑Riddle's online programs enable students to take advantage of a flexible course structure and to learn when and where it’s convenient for them.
Tracks/Specialties and/or Certificates
While studying Communication, you will have the opportunity to select one of the below specializations:
- Aviation, Science & Technology Communication Specialization: 21 credits
- Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Specialization: 21 credits
Communication Information
- Credits: 120
- Online or In-Person: Fully online
Helpful Links
- Attend a Worldwide Virtual Info Session
- Explore the Fields of Study: Applied Science
- Find Related Clubs & Organizations
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Design effective visual and digital artifacts.
- Analyze the development, principles, and goals of communication theories and put appropriate research methods into practice.
- Apply the legal and ethical principles unique to the study and practice of communication.
- Employ effective information gathering and news writing skills.
- Create effective speeches and presentations.
- Write professional documents for diverse audiences, purposes, and genres.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
General Education
| General Education | ||
| Embry-Riddle courses in the general education categories of Communication Theory and Skills, and Humanities and Social Sciences may be chosen from those listed below, assuming prerequisites are met. Courses from other institutions are acceptable if they fall into these broad categories and are at the level specified. | ||
| Communication Theory and Skills | 9 | |
| ENGL 123 | English Composition | 3 |
| ENGL (above ENGL 106) and COMD 219 | 6 | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 12 | |
| Lower-Level Humanities | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Lower-Level or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Any Physical and Life Sciences | 6 | |
| Any Mathematics 6-hour sequence above MATH 106 | 6 | |
| Any Computer Science / Information Technology | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Core/Major
| Communication Core | 36 | |
| COMD 180 | Media Literacy | 3 |
| COMD 230 | Digital Photography | 3 |
| COMD 260 | Introduction to Media | 3 |
| COMD 265 | Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| COMD 295 | Rhetorical Strategies and Analysis | 3 |
| COMD 320 | Mass Communication Law and Ethics | 3 |
| COMD 360 | Public Relations | 3 |
| COMD 362 | Communication and Organizational Culture | 3 |
| COMD 363 | Communication and Society | 3 |
| COMD 364 | Visual Design | 3 |
| COMD 415 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMD 495 | Senior Project | 3** |
| or COIN 496 | Co-Operative Education | |
**When taken as a part of the BS Communication degree, COIN 496 is a 3 credit hour course, and credit hours are approved by the Program Chair. | ||
| Program Specialization | 21 | |
| Choose one Specialization | ||
Minors:
| Minor*** | 15-21 | |
| Select a minor, in consultation with your advisor. | ||
| ***For students in the Bachelor of Science in Communication degree program the RSCH 202 prerequisite for courses in a minor is waived since RSCH 202 is not required for the program. | ||
(View Minors): https://catalog.erau.edu/worldwide/minors/
| Open Electives | 6-12 | |
| Open elective credits are dependent upon the selected minor. | ||
| Total Degree Requirements | 120 | |
Program Specializations
Aviation, Science & Technology Communication Specialization
| The Aviation, Science & Technology Communication Specialization focuses on the nexus of communication in aviation, science, and technology contexts. Students develop a foundational understanding of effective communication strategies within these dynamic fields, mastering the art of addressing communication challenges as well as gathering, analyzing, and disseminating scientific and technological information to a variety of audiences. | ||
| COMD 225 | Science and Technology Communication | 3 |
| COMD 322 | Aviation and Aerospace Communication | 3 |
| COMD 335 | Technology and Modern Civilization | 3 |
| COMD 350 | Environmental Communication | 3 |
| Select three courses (9 hours) from the following options | ||
| ASCI 110 | Introduction to Space Flight | 3 |
| ASCI 202 | Introduction to Aeronautical Science | 3 |
| ASCI 254 | Aviation Legislation | 3 |
| BSAS 210 | Introduction to Aerospace Safety | 3 |
| CSCI 123 | Introduction to Computing for Data Analysis | 3 |
| PHYS 123 | Science of Flight | 3 |
| PHYS 142 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| SFTY 205 | Principles of Accident Investigation | 3 |
| WEAX 201 | Meteorology I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Specialization
Students who select the Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Specialization cannot pursue the Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Minor.
| The Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Specialization explores the intersections between communication and safe and secure societies and industries. Students gain a foundation in communication for risk management, crisis response and fostering resilience in multidisciplinary contexts; effectively communicating across the phases of the national preparedness cycle; knowledge of historical, legal and policy foundations of communication challenges and approaches in an all-hazards and whole-community context of civil security. | ||
| COMD 365 | Communication for Resilience | 3 |
| COMD 420 | Applied Cross Cultural Communication | 3 |
| COMD 460 | Crisis Communication | 3 |
| COMD 480 | Advanced Seminar in Crisis and Risk Communication | 3 |
| Select three courses (9 hours) from the following options | ||
| EMGY 310 | Fundamentals of Emergency Management | 3 |
| EMGY 405 | Disaster Policy and Management | 3 |
| EMGY 430 | Emergency Management and Contingency Planning | 3 |
| ESVS 301 | Community Risk Reduction for the Fire and Emergency Services | 3 |
| ESVS 305 | Fire Prevention Organization and Management | 3 |
| ESVS 402 | Fire and Emergency Services Administration | 3 |
| HLSD 110 | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| HLSD 215 | Introduction to Industrial Security | 3 |
| HLSD 280 | Professional Skills in Homeland Security | 3 |
| HLSD 315 | Critical Infrastructure Security, Resilience, and Risk Analysis | 3 |
| HLSD 360 | Strategic Planning and Decision Making in Homeland Security | 3 |
| HLSD 410 | Exercise Design and Evaluation in Homeland Security | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
B.S. in Communication to M.S. in Human Security and Resilience
By combining the Bachelor of Science in Communication (BSCOMM) with the Master of Science in Human Security and Resilience (MSHSR), students gain a unique advantage, equipping them with advanced communication skills and interdisciplinary expertise to effectively address pressing global challenges.
Students accepted into the program, spend three academic years in undergraduate-level study of Communication. Students pursuing the program must select the BSCOMM Program Specialization in Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication. At the beginning of the senior year (having earned at least 75 credit hours with a 3.0 CGPA), students will take 9 credit hours of MHSR coursework.
Upon completion of Bachelor of Science in Communication (BSCOMM) requirements, students will be enrolled in graduate school and can complete their Master of Science in Human Security and Resilience (MSHSR) degree in one year. Instead of COMD Open Electives, students will take MHSR 500 Introduction to Human Security and 2 courses from the following options: MHSR 515 International Law and US Security Policy, MHSR 520 Principles of International Conflict Resolution, MHSR 530 Environmental Security, or MHSR 540 Foundations of Resilience.
In any graduate course taken by an undergraduate student, a grade of B or better must be earned. If a grade of C or F is earned in the MSHSR graduate courses taken for BSCOMM credit, the student will be removed from the program, have credit awarded to the BSCOMM degree only, and may continue to complete the BSCOMM degree.
Students initiate program acceptance through their Academic Advisor or Campus Advisor to ensure program criteria are met. Student Advisors will complete the request for processing into the program.
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Summary
120 Credits
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