Communications Bachelor’s Degree Online
Is a Communications Degree Right for You?
A communications degree program involves the study of how human beings communicate with one another, both one-on-one and in groups. As a communications major, you will learn about the methods through which we communicate, like written and spoken word, body language, and technology. You will attain the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective public speaker, develop solid arguments, and make persuasive presentations. Students in these types of programs are often required to analyze issues and think critically, as well as examine language usage. Communication bachelor's degrees are associated with many different careers in various industries. As a result, many undergraduate programs allow for students to concentrate on a particular area, such as business or media.
There are also some specialized areas of study related to the communications field which include the following: advertising, film and video, broadcast journalism, journalism, government, marketing communications, media studies, telecommunications, communications equipment operations, and public relations. Given that there are so many options, you should determine the area of communications about which you are most passionate before choosing your degree path.
Advice for Earning Your Communications Degree Online
A bachelor's degree in communications is a general degree that will open many doors to various career options. The key to earning a bachelor's degree in communications is to find a specialized area of study for your specific career choice. No matter the area on which you choose to focus, communications degrees are very online friendly. In most cases, the required courses and assignments in these programs can be adequately conducted over the Internet. Therefore, there are a wide range of high quality communications programs available from accredited online schools.
Required Courses
Communications majors are required to take courses that develop their oral and written communication skills as well as those that further their ability to understand how humans relate to and understand information. Common courses in these types of majors include communication theory, persuasion, argumentation and debate, intercultural communication, public speaking, rhetorical criticism, communication psychology, interpersonal and group communication, and mass communication. Specialized courses can include business communication, advertising and marketing communications, organizational behavior, managerial communication, information design, media studies, and sports communications.
Common Career Paths
A communications degree is easily adaptable to a wide range of positions and can be beneficial in variety of different career fields. Essentially, earning a bachelor's degree in communications could lead you to any business-related position. These types of positions involve managing communications within businesses, developing marketing campaigns, handling public-relations crises, and dispensing company information to the public. Common careers include:
- Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists help companies and organizations develop positive relationships with their targeted public. The target can be a group of consumers or a block of voters. Public relations specialists take their knowledge of communications theory and apply it in such a way so as to create a positive relationship, which help the organization or company continue to pursue its goals and policies.
Often, public relations specialists organize media functions, such as press conferences, community events, political campaigns, and conflict mediation programs. They also solve conflicts that arise between organizations and the public. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that competition for entry-level public relations jobs will be stiff, but that employment growth will increase from 2008 to 2018. Public relations specialists earned an average of $51,280 a year as of May 2008.
- Marketing Manager
Marketing managers work for companies that need to market a certain product or service. They examine potential target markets on which the company or organization can focus, develop good price points for the product or service, and collaborate with promotional managers and advertising teams to put together a complete marketing plan. Marketing managers also evaluate the success of a marketing plan, examine customer satisfaction, and look at trends that could help them decide whether or not there is a need to update the product or service or to create a new one.
Marketing managers apply the principles of communications theory that they learned in school to understanding how communication can help a company or organization market a product or service to an audience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects good employment growth for this industry, however the job market is competitive. In May of 2008, marketing managers earned a median wage of $108,580 a year.
- Journalist
Journalists can work in a variety of capacities in news organizations. They can be news anchors or analysts who broadcast news via television or radio. They can be correspondents, who focus on a specific market, region, or subject area to report on. They can also be reporters who find issues to research and writer about in newspapers and online. Journalists are responsible for keeping the public informed regarding the news of today and what is happening in the world so that the public can make its own decisions.
Many journalists earn a communications degree prior to emerging into the field. However, a communications degree is just one way of seeking out a career in journalism. Alone, it is not enough to make you into a satisfactory job candidate. Because the world of journalism is so complex and competitive, graduate school and work experience are important factors in successfully marketing yourself as a journalist. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that journalism jobs will decline in the next few years, dropping around 6% from 2008 to 2018. With a decline in positions, the journalism field will be very competitive. In May of 2008, the BLS found that the middle 50% of journalists working made between $25,760 and $52,160.
