Communication Program Overview
Major employers, recruiting firms, and the U.S. Department of Labor agree that communication is one of the top skills today’s job candidates need. UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Communication program covers a diverse range of communication types, empowering you with in-demand skills you can apply in practically any industry.
Our BA in communication emphasizes written and spoken communication and offers a comprehensive foundation in this multifaceted field, from the origins of rhetoric in Western thought to an analysis of modern communication media. Through our program, you’ll develop critical-thinking and research skills and acquire practical knowledge in topics such as public relations, small group communication, crisis communication, and interpersonal communication. Our program also offers an exploration of the dark side of communication and demonstrates the critical importance of an ethical approach.
Our convenient, collaborative online program enables you to complete classwork on your own schedule, anywhere. Online communication tools ensure your professors and classmates are always within reach to help guide and inspire you along the way.
Customize Your Communication Program With a Specialty Track
Our BA in communication program empowers you to align your studies with your interests by choosing one of four separate tracks:
- Communication Studies
Gain a broad understanding of communication that will help you in all your professional and personal endeavors. Our standard program track allows you to choose any electives that suit your interests and professional ambitions.
- Strategic Messaging
Discover how to effectively promote your organization’s products, services, and/or mission to a public audience. Learn more.
- Professional Communication
Communicate more effectively within an organization through the study of interpersonal communication, small group communication, leadership, and related topics. Learn more.
- Sports Media
Learn how to craft public relations and other media messages for sports organizations. Note: This track does not cover the technical aspects of media production. Learn more.
Careers for BA in Communication Graduates
An online BA in communication from UT Permian Basin empowers you with knowledge and abilities that can prepare you for greater success in positions associated with communication and beyond, including:
Students must complete 42 credits from the following areas of study to complete general education requirements: communication (6 credits); U.S. history (6 credits), language, philosophy, and culture (3 credits); mathematics (3 or 4 credits); life and physical sciences (8 credits; 2 courses with labs); political science (6 credits); creative arts (3 credits); social and behavioral science (3 credits); component area (3 credits).
24 sch required for core
15 sch, at least 12 upper-level.
You need 48 upper-level hours to graduate. Since most courses are 3 semester credit hours, you will need about 16 upper-level courses. At UTPB, any course number starting with a 3 or a 4 is an upper-level course. The number of upper-level elective hours you require will depend on the courses you take in your major and minor. Most COMM students need 2-3 upper-level elective courses, and you should visit with your adviser to see how this applies to your degree plan.
In general, the minor is 18 sch with 12 sch at the upper level. Please talk to your advisor for specific minor requirements.
Students pursuing this track will take an additional 15 upper-level credit hours in Communication. Those hours will be chosen in consultation with their advisor.
Students pursuing this track will take an additional 15 upper-level credit hours in Communication. Of those 15 hours, at least 12 must be selected from the courses listed below.
Students pursuing this track will take an additional 15 upper-level credit hours in Communication. Of those 15 hours, at least 12 must be selected from the courses listed below.
Students pursuing this track will take an additional 15 upper-level credit hours in Communication. Of those 15 hours, at least 12 must be selected from the courses listed below.
Admission Requirements
In order to prevent delays in processing applications, UT Permian Basin is temporarily modifying the freshman admission process by moving to a test-optional policy that will apply through Fall 2023. See the Test-Optional Policy section below for additional details.
Transfer Student Admission Requirements
- Minimum of 24 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university
- GPA of 2.0 or higher in previous college-level coursework
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Dual-credit high school courses must be included
- Completed application
Use our transfer calculator to find out how your classes will transfer to UT Permian Basin and which classes will count toward your degree.
Incoming Freshman Admission Requirements
If you have completed less than 24 hours of transferable college-level work from a regionally accredited college or university after graduating from high school or receiving your GED, please provide the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (including dual-credit work while in high school)
- Official high school transcript showing GPA, class rank, and expected graduation date or GED scores
- SAT and/or ACT scores from within the last five years (see below for minimum score requirements)
- Completed application
Official Transcripts
Official copies of transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and should be mailed to:
UT Permian Basin
Office of Admissions
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to admissions@utpb.edu.
Minimum Score Requirements for Freshman Admission
| High School Graduation Class Rank | SAT | ACT |
| Top 25% | No minimum score | No minimum score |
| 2nd Quarter | 1020 | 20 |
| 3rd Quarter | 1160 | 24 |
| 4th Quarter | 1280 | 27 |
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
If you are a freshman applicant, you may request a fee waiver when you apply by sending us your official college application fee waiver form provided by the SAT or ACT. You may also request a fee waiver if the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your Student Aid Report is zero.
Test-Optional Policy
Students will be reviewed on a holistic basis focusing on the strength of the high school record, overall grade point average, grades within the core subjects, dual credit work, and additional information (resume and/or extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and work experience provided with the GoApplyTexas application). We also recognize the value of standardized tests as a piece of the review process and will consider scores alongside the other required application credentials, if provided.
Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
harlow_w@utpb.edu
Dr. Harlow has served at UT Permian Basin since 2008, where he began as assistant professor of communication and basic course director for the communication program. From 2009-2013, he also led the communication program. In 2011, he earned The University of Texas System Regents Outstanding Teaching Award, and in 2012 was promoted to associate professor of communication and dean of undergraduate success. He served as dean until 2019 and is now professor and chair of the department of communication. Prior to his time at UT Permian Basin, Dr. Harlow served as diplomatic secretary of the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission in El Paso from 2007-2008. He also served as a foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department with assignments in Mexico and Nigeria. He earned his PhD in speech communication from Texas A&M in 2002.
Click here to read more about Dr. Harlow and his experience with UT Permian Basin's communication program.
Associate Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
harlow_r@utpb.edu
Dr. Harlow is an associate professor of communication. She completed an MA in speech communication, with an emphasis in rhetoric and public affairs, from Texas A&M University (2001). She then completed a PhD in technical communication and rhetoric from Texas Tech University (2005). Her research focus is on technical communication in the public sector. Dr. Harlow has had significant experience in both learning and teaching online, as well as industry experience in technical writing. She has lived in Mexico City, Abuja, Nigeria, El Paso, and the Permian Basin.
Associate Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
cox_j@utpb.edu
Dr. Jeremy Cox is an assistant professor of communication. He teaches courses in rhetorical criticism, the history of rhetoric, political rhetoric, civic engagement, and organizational rhetoric. His research interests include the rhetoric of nationalism, public memory, and the history of rhetoric. His articles and book reviews have appeared in the Journal for the History of Rhetoric, Quarterly Journal of Speech, and Philosophy and Rhetoric. He is a former Balch Fellow in Immigration and Ethnic History with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Associate Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
cho_s@utpb.edu
Dr. Cho started teaching as assistant professor of communication at UTPB in Fall 2020. Her research interests are rooted in the social construction of identity—how people use language to differentiate between “us” and “them.” She aims to uncover the dynamics between social structures and communication as they pertain to building social categories among different groups. In her classroom, diversity, equity, and inclusion are of the utmost importance. She believes that no student should be at a disadvantage in her class due to ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other factors. Dr. Cho also values the outcomes of self-learning. She trusts her students’ capabilities to investigate, produce, and develop knowledge and respects their diverse perspectives. Dr. Cho earned her degrees in communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (PhD – social interaction & culture), University at Albany SUNY (MA – health communication), and Sogang University (MA – digital media & contents)
Associate Professor of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
tambunga_j@utpb.edu
Mrs. Tambunga has earned a BA in communication from UT Permian Basin and MA in communication studies from Texas Tech University. She has been teaching communication courses since 2010 and her research interests include family communication and dark side communication. In her spare time, she enjoys novice piano playing and hiking in the Guadalupe mountains with her husband and 10-year-old son.
Lecturer
College of Arts and Sciences
james_t@utpb.edu
Terra James is the basic course director for the UTPB Department of Communication. She earned a BA in psychology and a BS in communication studies (with an emphasis on organizational communication) from Missouri Western State University. She also earned an MA in communication studies from Auburn University. She has served as a lecturer at UTPB since 2016.
Adjunct Instructor in Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
loyd_r@utpb.edu
Ryan Loyd earned a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. His research, teaching, and business consultation focuses on communication applications and organizational success. Having taught at the collegiate level for over 15 years, he has facilitated the gamut of core communication courses and has offered specialty courses in corporate training and development, instructional communication, organizational communication, and gender communication. He has taught a multitude of synchronous face-to-face courses as well as facilitated online courses, hybrid courses, and synchronous courses via digital tools (Zoom & Teams). Outside of the academy, he spent nearly two decades in the nonprofit sector before transferring his training and experience to the field of healthcare administration. He enjoys playing golf, reading, watching movies, and (most of all) spending time with his wife and two daughters.