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.

Locations: On Campus, Online

Total Credit Hours: 120+

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

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.

Regent University ranked #12 of the top 15 best online digital communications bachelor degrees | BachelorsDegreeCenter.Org

Career Opportunities

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

Featured Courses

Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
Code	Name	Credits
COMM 245	Communication Theory	3	Survey of scientific and interpretative approaches to the study, analysis, and explanation of communication within a variety of contexts.
COMM 255	Persuasive Communication	3	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 310	Narrative Concept & Development	3	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 366	Free Speech & Civic Discourse	3	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 420	Communication Criticism	3	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.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

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.

Tuition & Fees

2025-26 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$10,470	12 - 18	$20,940

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Under 12	$8,376
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Over 18	$12,564
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$698	N/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 »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$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 »

2024-25 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$9,975	12 - 18	$19,950

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Under 12	$7,980
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Over 18	$11,970
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$665	N/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 »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Related Programs

Request Information

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Online or On Campus

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Online or On Campus Old

Online

On Campus

On Campus Degree Type(Required)

Online Degree Type(Required)

Choose a Program(Required)

High School Graduation(Required)

Are you an employee or the spouse/dependent of an employee?(Required)

Employee

Spouse/Dependent

Email Address(Required)

Company(Required)

Agency(Required)

Employee's Company(Required)

Employee's Agency(Required)

Company Email Address(Required)

Agency Email Address(Required)

Employee's Company Email Address(Required)

Employee's Agency Email Address(Required)

Employee's First Name(Required)

Employee's Last Name(Required)

Employee's First Name(Required)

Employee's Last Name(Required)

Your Email Address(Required)

First Name(Required)

Last Name(Required)

I live outside the US

Address(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Address(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

City(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

State(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Zip Code(Required)

Phone(Required)

I live in Canada

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Agent's Name(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Agent GUID

Agent's Notes

I would like to start application process

By entering my first and last name above and clicking “Learn More” below, this shall constitute my electronic signature and I expressly agree that Regent University may call or text me for marketing purposes at the number I provide above, including through the use of an automatic telephone dialing system and/or artificial or prerecorded voice or message according to the TCPA Terms & Conditions below. Accepting this consent is not required to obtain any good or service.

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“Regent has been very supportive. They do what it can to help get good work noticed and out there.”

Beecher Reuning, MFA, 2015

“Regent University has a reputation of developing Christian leaders. I am so grateful to be growing toward that end.”

Caleb Kinchlow, M.A. in Communication - Digital Media, 2012 Senior Videographer/Editor/Digital Content Producer, CBN; TV host; Author

“Regent University provided a firm foundation for my worldview as a Catholic Christian in a profession and field of study largely missing an understanding of metaphysical and theological truths.”

Jalyn Dio, B.S. in Biophysical Sciences, 2022 Assistant Scientist, PPD

“I want to be a biomedical engineer and use it for God's glory around the world. Not only do I want to help physically, but I would also want to help spiritually and emotionally. At Regent, I grew so much mentally, spiritually and emotionally in a way I want to share with others.”

Sheila Atieno, B.S. in Biophysical Sciences, 2021 Master’s Student in Biomedical Engineering, New York University

“Proverbs 27:17 states, 'Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.' That's been my Regent experience academically and relationally. I am grateful to have grown together with such amazing people.”

Christian Ellis, B.S. in Business, 2018; M.A. in Organizational Leadership, 2020 Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President, Regent University