Deepen your understanding of how communication shapes healthcare delivery and influences organizational success.
Turn Effective Communication Into Improved Healthcare Delivery
Healthcare is often delivered through large and complex organizations in a highly regulated environment, with significant social and cultural expectations. In our Healing, Hierarchy, Healthcare, and Wholeness concentration, you’ll gain deeper insight into the multiple levels of communication that happen within this environment. Learn how communication impacts direct patient contact as well as information systems, regulatory requirements, and corporate activity.
This BS in Communication concentration can be ideal for those who work in direct patient care or in a supporting, auxiliary, or healthy lifestyle-related role.
Broaden Your Perspective
Gain a big-picture understanding of how a healthcare organization functions and the important role communication plays.
Study Healthcare Delivery
Learn how healthcare delivery works and how better communication contributes to improved patient outcomes and lower costs.
Learn From Actual Practitioners
Our BS in Communication faculty are active practitioners and thought leaders who bring real-world insights to the classroom.
Program Details
Curriculum
Degree Completion Requirements
- 181 quarter credits (1 semester credit equals 1.5 quarter credits)
- General education courses: 46 cr.
- Core Program Courses: 50 quarter credits
- Concentration Courses: 0-25 quarter credits (depending on concentration)
- General Electives: 55-80 quarter credits (depending on concentration)
- Capstone Course: 5 quarter credits
Students may be eligible to transfer up to 135 credits. At least 45 credits must be completed at Walden.
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-767-9522.
Admission Requirements
Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:
- You are 21 years of age or older.
- You are less than 21 years of age with at least 12 quarter credits.
- You are an active member of the military or a veteran with documentation of service.
More information for international applicants.
The progress you make now pays you back. Receive one tuition-free course for every three paid courses you successfully complete. In addition, you’ll receive a $1,500 tuition grant.
We believe you can achieve your goals—and we’re here to support you along your journey.
Request information to learn more about scholarships and financial aid.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Tuition and Fees section and Scholarship Details for more information.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 181 quarter credit hours | $333 per quarter hour | $60,273 |
| Technology Fee | Per quarter | $170 | $2,720 |
| $62,993** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION |
-$16,818 $46,175* |
||
*Represents minimum time to completion, no transfer of credit, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 135 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.
Program Outcomes
Drive Improved Healthcare Delivery
In this online communication degree concentration, you’ll apply communication principles within the context of courses that focus on health. Gain a high-level understanding of how healthcare systems work. Study how effective communication increases patient engagement, reduces costs, shortens healing time, and creates greater satisfaction for both patients and caregivers.
Career Outlook
Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16% through 2030 and add about 2.6 million new jobs.1 With this growth comes a need for skilled professionals to support and facilitate sound communication practices tailored to the unique needs of this industry.
With a BS in Communication concentration in Healing, Hierarchy, Healthcare, and Wholeness, you’ll stand out to potential healthcare employers by being able to identify communication needs, understand communication systems, and develop viable communication strategies. Take an active role in promoting organizational success as well as better patient care.
Career options may require additional experience, training, licensure, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this online communication degree program.
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), Healthcare Occupations. Retrieved September 2021. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2Source: BLS, OOH, Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers, Job Outlook. Retrieved September 2021 using SOC codes 21-1091 and 21-1094.
3Source: BLS, OOH, Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars, Job Outlook. Retrieved September 2021 using SOC code 29-9021.
4Source: BLS, OOH, Technical Writers, Job Outlook. Retrieved September 2021 using SOC code 27-3042.
5Source: BLS, OOH, Public Relations Specialists, Job Outlook. Retrieved September 2021 using SOC code 27-3031.