Communications Degrees and Jobs

Leah Felderman

Communications Degree with Corresponding Jobs

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:

• Advertising
• Broadcasting
• Communication Research
• Entertainment
• Event Management
• News Media
• Public relations

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 stepping stone 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.

>> Find schools offering associate degrees in Communications here.

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.

>> Find schools offering bachelor’s degrees in Communications here.

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.

>> Find schools offering master’s degrees in Communications here.

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.

Communications Degree Programs

Ready to earn your degree in communications?

Check out these great programs available at our partner schools:

Bethune-Cookman University

Offers a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Bethune-Cookman is a premier historically black university that participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Central Washington University

Offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. Although CWU does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school does offer tuition waiver opportunities including The Veteran of Foreign Conflict Waiver and The Veteran Dependent Waiver.

Southern Connecticut State University

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

Fully Online Communications Degrees With Yellow Ribbon Schools

Kansas State University Online

Offers a fully online Master’s in Mass Communications. Kansas State University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

University of Cincinnati Online

Offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Communication. They also have an online Master of Arts in Communication. The University of Cincinnati participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

University of Louisville Online

Offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Bachelor of Science in Communications. The University of Louisville participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

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

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