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Regent alumnus Tony Hale at an event: Explore the communication studies program.

B.A. in Communication Studies – Rhetoric & Advocacy

Speech Communication and Rhetoric Degree

You have a passion to communicate and use your words to shape and influence the world around you. Regent’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies—Rhetoric & Advocacy degree can help you master the art of persuasion as you study argumentative writing, language, and dialogue.

On Campus, Online
120+
August 25, 2025
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EXPLORE YOUR CAREER PATH with a RHETORIC DEGREE

Develop a strong skill set for a career in speech writing, public relations, media, or the law.

BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

Anchor your knowledge and skill on Christian principles and values.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Meet the faculty.

Explore Scholarships

Explore exciting scholarship opportunities such as academic merit scholarships, honors college scholarships, and more! Learn about the scholarships for on-campus incoming freshmen: the $10,000 Freedom Scholarships, $4,000 Homeschool Scholarships and $4,000 Private School Scholarships.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). Our programs have also ranked as the #1 Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia 13 years in a row (2013-2025).

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing this Rhetoric degree, you can:

  • Write and speak clearly, eloquently, and effectively.
  • Develop effective and ethical debate practices drawn from theories of persuasion.
  • Understand how verbal and nonverbal communication affects personal identity, culture, and perception.

Career Opportunities:

  • Speechwriter
  • Communications specialist
  • Public relations coordinator
  • Press secretary
  • Pre-law student
$63Thousand
Approximate Median Salary for Public Relations Coordinator Glassdoor, 2024
Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
COMM 245Communication Theory3
Survey of scientific and interpretative approaches to the study, analysis, and explanation of communication within a variety of contexts.
COMM 255Persuasive Communication3
Principles and practices of effective, efficient, and ethical argumentation and debate from their classical origins, including theories of persuasion, research on persuasive communication, and the formation of social and political attitudes.
COMM 310Narrative Concept & Development3
The creative process from the identification of big ideas and narrative concepts through the crafting of compelling storylines with the subsequent development of production scripts.
COMM 366Free Speech & Civic Discourse3
Protection for the expression of offensive and challenging ideas in the public square. Free speech is studied in its cultural and historical context in addition to its relation to the law. It is also addressed in relation to civility and Christian public witness.
COMM 420Communication Criticism3
Students learn and apply principles of aesthetical criticism, rhetorical criticism, ethical criticism, and perceptual criticism to all modes of human communication, practicing communication criticism in various contexts.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial high school or college transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 4: Submit Your FAFSA

Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov Regent's school code is 030913.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

DegreeTuition Block Rate Per SemesterCredit Hours Per SemesterTuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$10,47012 - 18$20,940
DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$698Under 12$8,376
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$698Over 18$12,564
Students taking on-campus classes
(summer semester)
$698N/A$2,094+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$900 (Fall & Spring)
$750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)$4506$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)$39512$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$900 (Fall & Spring)
$750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

DegreeTuition Block Rate Per SemesterCredit Hours Per SemesterTuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$9,97512 - 18$19,950
DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$665Under 12$7,980
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$665Over 18$11,970
Students taking on-campus classes
(summer semester)
$665N/A$1,995+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)

Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)$4506$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)$39512$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

“Regent professors caused me to learn to think critically in a way I had never done. [They] forced me to think well, and at the root of writing well is thinking well.”
Charles Martin, Ph.D., 2000 New York Times Best-Selling Author
“My identity isn’t in whether or not I get a role; what’s important is that I’m being a good witness, that I’m being a light and loving support to other actors.”
Ashley Dakin, MFA, 2013
“I'm grateful to Regent for developing my leadership skills, which are an essential component to the technical knowledge needed for a career in my field.”
Maximiliano Gigli, B.S. in Cybersecurity, 2020 Administrative Business Partner, Google
“It is more of an amazing example of what God has for us when we allow Him to take the reins and trust that what He has in store is far better than what we can imagine for ourselves.”
Loni Albertson, MFA, 2007 Custom Animation Production Supervisor for Marketing, Illumination Entertainment
“Thanks to Regent, I finished my degree and took hold of my future.”
Mandy Rogers, 2010