
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.
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
COMM 240 | Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 | Introduction to the principles and procedures of competent interpersonal communication in the context of ethnicity and culture. Attention is given to people as bearers of culture and to the application of theory and research to real-life communication situations. |
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 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. |
COMM 444 | Advocacy in Journalism & Public Culture | 4 | Requires lab experience participating in live critique of events in the public square conducted through podcast type venues. Critiques apply both rhetorical and Christian worldview lenses to current events and the journalism that covers it. Prerequisite/corequisite COM 245, COM 330, COM 416. Cross-listed with JRNU 444. |
COMM 446 | Capstone Seminar | 3 | Integrates the major disciplines in communication and affords the student direction and advisement in proposing, designing, and executing a senior research paper or project. Prerequisites: COMM 245 and Senior standing. |
COMM 495 | Internship | 1-3 | Approved internship in a field of the student’s specialty. This guided learning experience is a culminating experience in which the student applies the principles and skills learned, demonstrating competency under the guidance of a specialist in the field of communication. |
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.
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 »
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 |
Degree | Tuition Block Rate Per Semester | Credit Hours Per Semester | Tuition Rate Per Year |
---|---|---|---|
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $9,493 | 12 - 18 | $18,986 |
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $630 | Under 12 | $7,560 |
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $630 | Over 18 | $11,340 |
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester) | $630 | N/A | $1,890+ |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »
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 |