Communication — Professional Communication
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-08-01 | - |
| 2026-01-01 | - |
| 2026-06-01 | - |
| 2026-08-01 | - |
| 2027-01-01 | - |
| 2027-06-01 | - |
| 2027-08-01 | - |
| 2028-01-01 | - |
| 2028-06-01 | - |
| 2028-08-01 | - |
| 2029-01-01 | - |
| 2029-06-01 | - |
| 2029-08-01 | - |
| 2030-01-01 | - |
| 2030-06-01 | - |
| 2030-08-01 | - |
| 2031-01-01 | - |
| 2031-06-01 | - |
| 2031-08-01 | - |
| 2032-01-01 | - |
Program Overview
Program Overview
The Communication — Professional Communication program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) focuses on developing leadership, persuasion, and social influence skills for effective communication in professional settings. Students learn how to help businesses thrive through advocacy, campaigning, advertising, public relations, and strategic communication.
Program Details
- Program Type: Major
- Academic Unit: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts
- Standard credit hours: 120
- Delivery Mode: In-person, Hybrid, Online
- Typical Program Length: 4 years
- Typical Course Load: 4-5 per semester
- Estimated Program Cost: $49,344
Why UMKC
The university offers opportunities to make industry connections with professionals in Kansas City, build professional experience through internships, and gain knowledge in diverse topics such as organizational communication, public relations, and marketing communication.
Career Opportunities
After graduation, students can work in a wide range of industries, including government, private companies, and non-profits. Potential careers include:
- Public relations specialist
- Director of community outreach
- Social media manager The median salary for public relations specialists is $69,937 per year.
Potential Courses
- Persuasive Communication: Study the rhetorical, psychological, and ethical principles of influencing individuals and groups.
- Principles of Public Relations: Survey the function, purposes, procedures, and practices of public relations and its role in society, industry, government, and politics.
- Interactive and Social Media Advertising: Examine advertising on the internet as a form of interactive communication, with a special focus on social media and search engines.
Related Programs and Pathways
- Communication (Minor)
- Communication — Digital Journalism and Media (Major)
- Communication — Strategic Communication (Major)
Application Process
- Gather materials: Official transcripts, names and locations of previous colleges or high schools, citizenship and residency information, and ACT/SAT test scores (if applicable).
- Complete the online application: No application fee for domestic undergraduate students; $75 for international students.
- Check admissions requirements: Some programs have specific admission requirements.
Application Dates
- To start classes in Fall: Apply by June 15; classes begin in August.
- To start classes in Spring: Apply by November 15; classes begin in January.
Estimated Tuition Per Semester
- Resident Rate: $6,168 per semester
- Heartland Rate: $9,063 per semester
- Nonresident Rate: $16,090 per semester
Financial Aid
UMKC offers automatic and competitive scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities. 96% of first-time students qualified for financial aid, with an average need-based scholarship or grant of $12,617. 80% of undergraduates received a scholarship or grant.