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Our online degree programs are designed for busy working adults just like you – intentionally structured to allow you to balance work, life and other commitments. As a student of ACU Online, you are part of a vibrant, virtual, Christ-centered community.
Introducing
Locked-In Tuition.
Our Locked-In Tuition program guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your entire undergraduate degree.
About the Program
With ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Applied Communication program, you will learn skills that are vital to the job market: problem-solving, team building, message crafting, and leadership. You’ll learn to think critically about communication and interpersonal interactions as you participate in important topics – those concerning organizational conflicts, race, politics, employee behaviors, the impact of technology, and even family issues. Graduate with real-world examples in hand — during your program, you’ll create an e-portfolio of work that you can share with future employers.
Program Structure
All the details on your degree
As an Applied Communication major, you’ll be taking classes in Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Leadership and Communication, Training and Development, Crisis Communication, and Persuasion, to name a few. Plus, you’ll be able to choose a concentration of either Organizational Change or Healthcare Communication.
Required Hours
Total: 120 hours
University Requirements: 56 hours
Major: 64 hours (up to 22 hours in electives)
Example Coursework
Health Communication
Persuasion
Executing Organizational Change
Crisis Management in Organizations
Department
Upcoming Start Dates
June 28, 2022
August 23, 2022
Common Job Titles
Change Management Specialist Communications Coordinator
Health Educator
Non-profit Director
Public Affairs Officer
Public Health Communication Specialist
Training and Development Manager
Concentrations
Organizational Change
The Organizational Change concentration provides cutting-edge understanding and experience in change management vital for today’s leaders. Students will experience how to lead others through organizational change initiatives, concentrating on decision making, leadership, and moving employees past resistance to change engagement. Plus, our Applied Communication majors will learn how to consult with businesses concerning organizational change efforts.
Healthcare Communication
The Healthcare Communication concentration focuses on tools in leadership, crisis management, and organizational analysis to be an effective leader in the healthcare industry. Students will take courses in healthcare leadership/communication, ethics, and communication campaigns, as they focus on how communication can improve the workplace for healthcare employees.
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Dena Counts, Bachelor of Science in Applied Communication
Dr. Dena Counts is an assistant professor and the program director for two programs – the online Bachelor of Science in Applied Communication and the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. Dena received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication from ACU. After working in the fields of fundraising, consulting, training, and human resources, Dena returned to ACU where she has served in multiple roles during the past 12 years. Dena received her doctorate in Organizational Leadership through ACU Online in 2019. Dena loves the challenge of teaching online and she is continually looking to improve learning and communication strategies for the online student.
Spotlight
Learning Top Skills Employers Seek Through Applied Communication
Can a degree in Applied Communication give you the top skills employers are looking for today? Read our latest blog post to find out.
4 Ways to Improve Communication While Working Remotely
Effective communication is key to making any business successful, but when it comes to working remotely, communication is essential. Check out 4 ways to improve your communication skills to make the most of your remote experience.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Dena Counts
Dena Counts is no stranger to ACU. After receiving degrees both on campus and online, she furthered her Wildcat career as ACU Online’s assistant dean and director for the Organizational Leadership and Applied Communications programs. Check out our latest faculty spotlight to learn how she’s bringing the ACU difference to an online format.
5 Key Skills Future Leaders Need
In today’s evolving work environment, aspiring leaders need to develop a variety of skills to grant them a competitive edge. Here are 5 key skills that all future leaders need to be successful.
The Difference Between Transactional and Transformational Leadership
Transactional and transformational practices lie at separate ends of the leadership spectrum, but both are applicable to today’s business environment. Read on to learn the differences between these styles and how they are practiced in the workplace.
Vocational Formation at ACU: Finding Your Purpose and Passion
Vocational formation is all about finding your life’s calling, learning how God is shaping you into the person you were born to be. You likely have a career goal or the spark of an idea of what you’d like to do professionally. ACU’s unique approach to vocational formation takes this a step further by helping you understand your deeper desire to serve others, no matter what the job title or duties entail.
To be considered for admission, students must:
- Submit official high school and/or college transcripts.
- Complete the online program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.
Students are not required to submit ACT or SAT test scores.
Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a 2.0 GPA or higher to meet graduation requirements and complete at least 33 advanced hours.
Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ACU.
Abilene Christian University enjoys a strong national reputation as one of the leading private Christian universities in the west and southwest, indicated by various ratings (such as U.S. News and World Report and other reports).