In a world mediated by technology, communication isn't just a skill — it's the skill. GCU's B.A. in Communication gives you the critical thinking, media literacy, and practical production expertise to thrive in journalism, public relations, media, digital storytelling, or any career where communicating with impact matters. Choose your concentration, build your portfolio, and graduate ready for a media-centered world.
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GCU's Communication program doesn't lock you into a single lane. You'll build a strong foundation in communication theory, media law & ethics, research, public speaking, and media production — and then specialize in either Journalism & Public Relations (news writing, PR writing, web writing, organizational communication) or Media & Visual Studies (visual communication, film, transmedia storytelling, advanced media production). Either path produces graduates ready for real careers in their chosen field.
CM217 Media Production is open to all students regardless of prior experience, and it's woven into the core curriculum from your first year. You'll learn to plan, produce, and edit video storytelling projects with professional tools — building a content creation portfolio that matters in today's media industry. Advanced Media Production (CM317) takes those skills further in your upper years.
Strong Communication students can apply for Advanced Admission to GCU's M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication program after just 75 credits — and start taking graduate courses while still finishing their undergraduate degree. If accepted, you skip the GRE entirely. It's one of the most efficient paths to a graduate communication degree available in New Jersey.
Uniquely, GCU offers a dedicated dual major combining the B.A. in Communication and the B.S. in Business Administration — with its own streamlined curriculum that lets you earn both degrees more efficiently than taking each independently. This combination is in high demand across corporate communications, marketing, PR, advertising, and media management — industries where understanding both communication and business strategy is a genuine career differentiator.
GCU’s B.A. in Communication majors have access to dedicated spaces designed for hands-on learning and personal content creation. The Storytelling Studio supports media production, photography, podcasting, and editing, with a green screen, computers, video projectors, TV screens, and professional lighting equipment. Students also have access to two Media Labs equipped with Macintosh computers and Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft 365 for projects ranging from pre-production through post-production.
Lambda Pi Eta — National Communication Honors Society High-achieving Communication students may be invited to join the Omega Nu Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta (LPH), the National Communication Association’s honors society. Eligibility requires 60+ credits with 12+ in Communication, a 3.25 GPA in CM courses, and a 3.0 overall GPA. Membership is a meaningful credential for graduate school and competitive employer applications.
Communication is foundational to everything — from building a career and leading a team to creating media that moves people and understanding the world around you. GCU’s B.A. in Communication is built around that conviction: that strong communicators, equipped with both critical analysis skills and hands-on production experience, are exactly what today’s media centered society needs.
The program is grounded in an interdisciplinary fusion of communication theory and media studies. You’ll study how communication works across interpersonal, organizational, and mass media contexts; how media shapes public discourse and culture; how ethical frameworks apply to the creation and distribution of content; and how to produce, research, and analyze communication in professional settings.
You’ll then go deep in one of two concentrations. The Journalism & Public Relations concentration develops news writing, editing, web writing, organizational communication, and PR writing skills — preparing you for careers in media, journalism, communications departments, and public relations agencies. The Media & Visual Studies concentration focuses on visual communication, film theory and analysis, transmedia storytelling, and advanced media production — ideal for students drawn to content creation, digital media, and visual storytelling.
All Communication majors must complete a minor or second major, which adds valuable depth and disciplinary range to your degree. The department actively encourages students to combine Communication with fields like Business Administration, Graphic Design, Psychology, or Criminal Justice — creating genuinely distinctive professional profiles.
The program culminates in a required internship (CM405) that puts you in a real communication or media environment before graduation — building the portfolio, professional network, and employer references that matter most when you’re launching a career.
“Clear and effective communication is absolutely key to success in just about anything in life – personally and professionally – and we have curated a communication degree program to elevate and celebrate the amazing, diverse voices of our students. Communication majors often have an awesome range of unique interests, from sports media and content creation to public relations and filmmaking, and so our communication degree strives to consistently deliver relevant, high-quality curriculum focused on both creative hands-on practice and academic critical analysis, in turn preparing students to be strong strategic communicators in the workplace and at home.”
GCU’s B.A. in Communication is a great fit if you:
Communication graduates are in demand across virtually every sector — because every organization needs skilled communicators.
Journalism & Public Relations Track:
Media & Visual Studies Track:
With the Communication + Business Administration Dual Major:
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $45,000–$58,000 | $77,500 | $95,000–$120,000+ |
| Reporters & Journalists | $38,000–$50,000 | $62,400 | $80,000+ |
| PR & Communications Managers | $65,000–$80,000 | $138,100 | $160,000+ |
| Media & Communication Workers | $42,000–$58,000 | $74,200 | $90,000+ |
Job Outlook
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average in the major of at least 2.5 or higher, which is also the requirement for graduation.
Includes 27 credits from the required core courses and a total of 15 credits from the student’s chosen concentration area of Journalism & Public Relations or Media & Visual Studies. Communication majors are limited to double dipping one other CM course with General Education, with the exception of CM217, which cannot be used to fulfill a General Education requirement. All students in the Communication B.A. program are required to complete a minor of 18 or more credits, or a second major, in any discipline of their choosing unless transferring in with more than 30 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CM100 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3.0 |
| CM101 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3.0 |
| CM105 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| CM217 | Media Production 1 | 3.0 |
| CM305 | Media Law & Ethics | 3.0 |
| CM310 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
| CM401 | Communication Theory | 3.0 |
| CM404 | Communication Research | 3.0 |
| CM405 | Communication Internship | 3.0 |
| Concentration | ||
| Select one concentration: | 15.0 | |
Journalism & Public Relations | ||
Media & Visual Studies | ||
| Total Credits | 42.0 | |
Communication majors may not use CM217 to fulfill any General Education category.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Requirements (Communication majors must take the courses below to fulfill the respective General Education categories, with the exceptions of students who transferred to Georgian Court with a course that fulfills the category or are exempt from the requirement because of the block transfer policy.) | ||
| CM251 | Intercultural Communication | 3.0 |
| CM302 | Mass Media & Social Issues | 3.0 |
Students must complete 15 credits total from one chosen concentration area.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Select 15 credits from the following: | 15.0 | |
CM/EN207 | News Writing & Reporting | |
CM/EN208 | News Editing | |
CM209 | Introduction to Public Relations | |
CM/EN210 | Writing for the Mass Media | |
CM/EN230 | Writing on the Web | |
CM252 | Organizational Communication | |
CM/EN309 | Public Relations Writing | |
CM317 | Advanced Media Production | |
CM350 | Special Topics | |
| Total Credits | 15.0 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Select 15 credits from the following: | 15.0 | |
CM200 | Visual Communication | |
CM205 | Transmedia Storytelling | |
CM235 | The Art of Film | |
CM244 | Women in Film | |
CM/EN245 | Writing About Television | |
CM317 | Advanced Media Production | |
CM350 | Special Topics | |
| Total Credits | 15.0 | |
These Communication and Business Administration requirements are exclusively applicable to students who are completing a double major in both Communication and Business Administration. Students will graduate with a single degree, a B.A., with Communication as their first major and Business Administration as their second major. This special major sequence for the double majors provides an expeditious pathway for the student to meet requirements of both majors. Should a student choose to drop the second major, they must complete the regular Communication or Business Administration major requirements. At least half of the required credits for each major should be completed at Georgian Court. Students may not double dip more than two additional courses (6 credits total) in either Communication and/or Business Administration to count towards General Education.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CM100 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3.0 |
| CM101 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3.0 |
| CM105 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| CM217 | Media Production 1 | 3.0 |
| CM302 | Mass Media & Social Issues | 3.0 |
| CM305 | Media Law & Ethics | 3.0 |
| CM310 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
| CM401 | Communication Theory | 3.0 |
| CM404 | Communication Research | 3.0 |
| Electives | 12.0 | |
| Students must choose another four Communication courses that have not already been taken to fulfill major and/or general education requirements. | ||
| Total Credits | 39.0 | |
Communication majors may not use CM217 to fulfill any General Education category.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Core Courses | ||
| AC171 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3.0 |
| AC172 | Principles of Managerial Accounting | 3.0 |
| EC181 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3.0 |
| EC182 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3.0 |
| BU121 | Quantitative Business Concepts | 3.0 |
| CAR200 | Internship Prep & Career Development | 1.0 |
| BU211 | Business Law | 3.0 |
| BU213 | Mgmt Theory & Org. Behavior | 3.0 |
| CM251 | Intercultural Communication | 3.0 |
| or CM252 | Organizational Communication | |
| or BU242 | Managerial Communications | |
| FIN235 | Introduction to Finance | 3.0 |
| IS224 | Introduction to Business Analytics | 3.0 |
| MK241 | Principles of Marketing | 3.0 |
| IS320 | Management Information Systems | 3.0 |
| BU411 | Human Resource Management | 3.0 |
| BU491 | Business Strategies & Policy | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 43.0 | |
Double majors in Communication and Business Administration must take the courses below to fulfill the respective General Education Categories, with the exception of students who transferred to Georgian Court with a course that fulfills the category or are exempt from the requirement because of the block transfer policy.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BU121 | Quantitative Business Concepts (to fulfill Mathematical Reasoning) | 3.0 |
| or BU221 | Business Statistics & Probability | |
| CM244 | Women in Film (to fulfill Power & Society) | 3.0 |
| BU319 | Business & Professional Ethics (to fulfill Ethics) | 3.0 |
| BU351 | Internship (to fulfill Experiential Learning) | 2.0 |
| Total Credits | 11.0 | |
Admissions Requirements First-Year Students
Note: Strong writing skills are an asset in the Communication program. Students with backgrounds in journalism, yearbook, debate, theater, or media production are especially wellprepared.
Transfer Students
Advanced Admission to the M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication: Communication majors with a 3.5 GPA who have completed 75 credits may apply for Advanced Admission to GCU’s M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication program. Requirements:
By the time you earn your B.A. in Communication from GCU, you’ll be able to:
Q: What’s the difference between the two concentrations? A: The Journalism & Public Relations concentration is the right choice if you want to work in news media, PR agencies, corporate communications, or content writing — it emphasizes writing, editing, organizational communication, and public relations skills. The Media & Visual Studies concentration is the right choice if you’re drawn to visual storytelling, film, video production, and digital media — it emphasizes analyzing and creating content across visual and multimedia platforms. Both concentrations share the same strong core, so you’re building the same foundational skills either way.
Q: Do I have to choose a concentration right away? A: No — you’ll complete the core courses in your first two years, giving you time to experience both before committing to a concentration. Talk with your academic advisor about which courses to take first so you can make a well-informed decision.
Q: What is the dual major in Communication and Business Administration? A: It’s a dedicated combined curriculum that lets you earn both a B.A. in Communication and a B.S. in Business Administration through a single, integrated program — with its own specific requirements that are designed to minimize overlap and credit duplication. Students who complete both are extremely well-positioned for careers in corporate communications, marketing, advertising, PR management, and media business. Note: the dual major has its own curriculum, separate from simply declaring two independent majors.
Q: Does every Communication student need to complete a minor? A: Yes — unless you transfer in with more than 30 credits. All Communication majors completing the standard degree must complete at least one minor (18+ credits) or a second major. The dual major with Business Administration satisfies this requirement automatically.
Q: What kinds of internships do Communication students complete? A: Communication students have interned at media companies, PR and advertising agencies, nonprofit communications departments, sports organizations, corporate marketing teams, and digital content studios throughout New Jersey and the greater NYC area. The required CM405 Communication Internship is completed in the senior year and counts toward the major.
Q: What facilities are available to Communication students? A: Communication students have access to dedicated spaces for hands-on learning and content creation, including the Storytelling Studio and two Media Labs. The Storytelling Studio is equipped for media production, photography, podcasting, and editing and features a green screen, computers, video projectors, TV screens, and professional lighting equipment. The Media Labs feature Macintosh computers with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft 365, providing the tools students need for projects from pre-production through post-production.
Q: Can Communication students get experience working on a student publication? A: Yes. Students can gain hands-on experience with The Lion’s Tale, Georgian Court University’s student-run newspaper. Students contribute stories across areas including news, features, sports, arts and culture, and opinions, giving them opportunities to develop their writing, reporting, editing, and communication skills in a real-world publishing environment.
Q: What is Lambda Pi Eta? A: Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) is the National Communication Association’s official honors society, recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. GCU’s chapter is the Omega Nu Chapter. To be eligible, you need 60+ college credits with at least 12 in Communication, a 3.25 GPA in CM courses, and a 3.0 overall GPA. Membership is a meaningful credential for graduate school applications and competitive employer searches.
Q: What’s the GPA requirement to graduate with a Communication degree? A: You must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the major — both to remain in good academic standing in the program and to graduate.
Q: Can I pursue graduate school in communication after this degree? A: Absolutely — and GCU makes it especially easy. Eligible Communication students can apply for Advanced Admission to GCU’s own M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication program, start taking graduate courses before completing their undergraduate degree, and skip the GRE entirely. This is one of the most efficient and affordable paths to a graduate communication degree in New Jersey. Graduates are also well-prepared to apply to M.A. and M.S. programs in communication, journalism, media studies, public relations, and related fields at other institutions.
Q: When should I apply? A: GCU uses rolling admissions — you can apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Applying early gives you the best access to merit scholarships, housing, and financial aid.
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