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Communications Degrees and Jobs

Updated | Leah Felderman
Communications Degrees and Jobs

Communications Degrees and Jobs

What can you do with a Communications Degree?

A degree in communications can take you down many different career paths. From working in relative isolation at home behind a computer screen to networking for public relations, a Degree in Communications can lead to a variety of jobs including:

Is a Communications Degree hard?

No, a Degree in Communications is not difficult!

Students will receive a broad education in strategic communications, public speaking, rhetoric, and even digital arts! Students will cultivate their knowledge in an abundance courses including:

  • Public Communication
  • Theory
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • History
  • Organizational Communication
  • Rhetorical Theories
  • Diversity
  • Innovation
  • Creativity
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Trends
  • Leadership

Getting a Degree in Communications

A Degree in Communications can provide career opportunities in the public and private sectors, and can even provide opportunities to work for yourself by starting your own business or working as a consultant.

Associate Degree in Communications

With an associate degree in communications, a student can prepare for a good entry-level job, or it can be used as a steppingstone for further education.

While getting an associate degree, one will develop an understanding of the different ways to effectively communicate in a variety of fields including media and business.

A great associate degree program will have a variety of hands-on opportunities in the various communications jobs to help students choose and prepare for a successful career.

A communications degree may be awarded as an Associate of Science degree or an Associate of Arts degree depending on the educational institution.

An Associate Degree in Communications can be found as a campus based program, a hybrid program, or fully online. A student’s GI Bill can be applied to any type of program (campus, hybrid, online) at an approved institution.

Don’t forget about the MyCAA Program for military spouses.

Jobs with Associate Degree in Communications

Announcers – present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests. Median annual salary: $40,000.

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians – set up, operate, and maintain electrical equipment for media programs. Median annual salary: $46,000.

Bachelor’s in Communications

A Bachelor’s Degree in Communications will take about four years although some schools offer accelerated programs to be completed in 3 years or less. A degree may be awarded as a Bachelor’s of Science in Communications or a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications depending on the school and program. Program concentrations and minors span a wide variety of interests including journalism, public relations, marketing, social media branding, and news anchor.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications a student can advance their career with greater earning power. It can also be a step toward a master’s degree, or even doctorate!

Jobs With Bachelor’s in Communications

Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts -investigate and inform the public about news and events. Median annual salary: $46,000.

Public relations specialists – develop and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. Median annual salary: $61,000.

Master’s Degree in Communications

With a Master’s Degree in Communications, a student is well on their way to becoming an expert in their field. Master’s degrees earn a significant pay bump from a bachelor’s degree and open up opportunities for higher level management and supervisory positions.

Master’s degrees are offered as campus based programs and can very often be found as online programs geared towards the working professional seeking to advance their education while still maintaining a full workload.

Jobs With Master’s in Communications

Film and video editors – manipulate moving images that entertain or inform an audience. Median annual salary: $60,000

Technical writers – prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, etc. to communicate complex and technical information more easily. Median annual salary: $73,000

Doctorate in Communications

Going even further in your education in communications with a doctorate degree can help you find a career in post-secondary education, research and publication, or as a preeminent industry leader in your chosen career field.

Is a Communications Degree worth it?

Yes, a Degree in Communications is worth it! The knowledge and skills acquired in a Communications Degree is desirable across all academic and career fields.  One of the biggest take-aways from a successful education in communications is the ability to navigate a variety of personal, social, professional, and public situations gracefully and with success. A desirable set of skills for anybody and everybody! Whether your career goals ultimately reside in communications or if using a Communications Degree as a steppingstone for an entirely different academic or career path, a Communications Degree is absolutely worth it.

GI Bill-approved Schools Offering a Communications Degree

Ready to earn your Degree in Communications?

Check out these great programs available at our partner schools:

Southern Connecticut State University– Offers a Bachelor of Science in Communication. Southern Connecticut State University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Buena Vista University– Offers Communication Studies as a major and minor for its campus based undergraduate degrees. Buena Vista University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

University of Southern Maine– Offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. University of Southern Maine participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Emerson College– Offers a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies. Emerson participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Evangel University– Offers an Associate of Arts in Communication Studies and a Bachelor’s in Communication. Evangel participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

University of Colorado Boulder– Offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. University of Colorado Boulder University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Fully Online Communications Degrees

Biola University– Offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Communications. Biola also offers a campus based BA in Communication Studies. Biola University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Concordia University Wisconsin– Offers a fully online BA in Communication and Leadership. Concordia Wisconsin also offers a variety of online and campus-based degrees and certificates in Communications including: Mass Communication, Speech Communication, Communications and Public Relations, and Technical and Professional Communication. Concordia University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

>> For more schools offering a Degree in Communications click here.

*All average annual salaries adapted and calculated from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information click here.

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About the author

Leah Felderman
+ posts

Born in SoCal yet raised Tampa, Florida - Leah earned her undergraduate BA in Liberal Studies from the University of Central Florida. Leah earned her MA in the MALAS at San Diego State University, while also completing a graduate teaching certificate in English for Secondary Education. An avid traveler, she has visited more than 60 countries. With the birth of her son Spencer in 2012, Leah embarked on her biggest adventure (yet) as parent and Coast Guard wife.

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