Consider pursuing a communications major if you want a degree with potential for many different sectors.
For example, communications professionals can impact business, publishing, the arts, government, sales, and other communication-based fields.
Demand is growing for trained communicators, and a bachelor’s degree in Communication is one pathway toward a rewarding career.
What Will I Learn in a B.A. in Communication Program? (Curriculum)
The following is a sample of earning a B. A. in Communication from Maryville University’s online courses.
The 128-credit curriculum includes the following:
- General education courses (42 credits).
- Communication major core courses (27 credits).
- Communication concentration courses (24 credits).
- Available electives (35 credits).
Many of these classes earn three credits upon completing the coursework.
Standard Courses for B.A. in Communication Students
These are some of the standard courses offered for this degree.
In addition, though actual course titles may vary depending on the university, many communication programs provide courses that touch on the following concepts:
Writing as a Strategic Communication Tool: Students learn to develop and write compelling and creative messages to achieve an organization’s strategic communication objectives and goals.
The emphasis is on using research to create strategic platforms to foster message production and the tools to evaluate message effectiveness and writing style and content.
Research and Strategy Development: This course develops research-based strategies and skills for an organization’s external and internal communications.
Candidates will implement new campaigns and discover and solve organizational problems.
In addition, students can find the best practice models and case studies and oversee communication strategies.
Social Media Campaigns: Creating and designing innovative social media campaigns is essential for helping companies craft a public narrative about their societal value.
Discover how to facilitate organizational social media campaigns, design and create social media campaigns, and provide solutions for running and improving an organization’s social media presence.
Skills Gained with a B.A. in Communication Degree
Consider a typical curriculum that is comprised of courses that are designed to give students skills and in-depth knowledge of the critical components of communication:
Effective writing: Written content is essential for communicating an organization’s message.
Individuals can learn a wide array of writing styles, from Chicago to A.P., all while developing internal and external writing skills.
Branding: An organization’s brand is the perfect embodiment of its image.
Therefore, it must be consistent throughout messaging, such as web content, advertisements, and social media, so that all content aligns with the brand.
Digital marketing: Digital platforms and social media have replaced traditional print media in marketing and advertising.
What’s necessary today is learning how to create digital marketing that expresses an organization’s brand.
Digital communication courses offer individuals training in creating high-quality web content, marketing campaigns on social media, and driving advertising that achieves the highest impact.
Media intelligence: Communication experts must identify and analyze market sectors for marketing opportunities.
Learn how to utilize media strategies and analysis tools to develop unique strategies in marketing.
Data analysis: Analysis of website performance, marketing campaigns, and advertising aids organizations in evaluating their results.
Learn to use data analytics to analyze where an organization should direct its communications resources for maximum impact.
Core Communication Curriculum
- COMM 121 Introduction to Contemporary Communication
- COMM 141 Introduction / Writing for Communication and Media
- COMM 233 Digital Media II
- COMM 223 Professional and Organizational Communication
- COMM 231 Introduction to Digital Media
- COMM 232 Introduction / New and Social Media
- COMM 321 Communication Research Methods
- COMM 345 Critical Approaches to Communication
- COMM 422 Global Communication
- Option 1: Strategic Communication Concentration Curriculum
- COMM 251 Principles of Strategic Communication
- COMM 347 Strategic Communication Writing
- COMM 363 Strategic Communication Research & Strategy
- COMM 499 Internship
- COMM 471 Strategic Communication Campaigns
- COMM 494 Portfolio Defense
- COMM 472 Strategic Communication Campaigns I
- COMM 473 Strategic Communication II
- Option 2: Emerging Media Strategy / Social Media Concentration Curriculum
- COMM 327 Social Media Campaigns
- COMM 390 Website Design
- COMM 416 Issues and Crisis Management
- COMM 499 Internship
- COMM 481 E-Media & Digital Writing
- COMM 494 Portfolio Defense
- COMM 482 E-Media & Digital Writing
- COMM 483 E-Media & Digital Writing
How to Choose a Good Program in Communication?
While your overall success depends on your skills and diligence, studying in one of the leading schools in communications can provide the necessary advantage, especially if you are planning to enter a competitive industry.
The Quacquarelli Symonds (Q.S.) World University Rankings has compiled the best schools in communications and media studies.
The ranking is based on several indicators, including employer reputation, research impact, and academic reputation.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Bachelor’s in Communication?
Like most undergraduate degrees, a communications degree often takes four years.
However, different factors impact the length of completion, such as internship, curriculum, program type, and more.
Some colleges also offer flexibility regarding the minimum credits required every semester.
Off-campus and online programs offer even greater flexibility.
Some may even provide opportunities to graduate faster if relevant professional experience can be presented.
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Bachelor’s in Communication?
The average cost of a communications degree in the USA is between 28,000 and $90,000 in all four years.
Despite all these education costs, one has several options to cover these costs, like financial aid or scholarships.
In addition, earning these degrees allows one to opt for career paths like employee engagement, advertising, branding, public relations, marketing, customer relations, event management, and more.
With technological advancement, communication career opportunities have also expanded.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Communication?
Are you interested in working in the media, government, business, politics, sales, or the arts?
A communications degree could prepare you for work in any one of those fields.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that $62,340 is the median yearly salary for media and communication occupations.
Here are some average salaries of communication-related careers:
- Public Relations and Fundraising Managers ($119,860)
- Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers ($133,380)
- Advertising Sales Agents ($52,340)
- Market Research Analysts ($63,920)
- Technical Writers ($78,060)
- Journalists ($44,180)
- Editors ($57,142)
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists ($48,370)
- Public relations specialists ($53,484)
- Advertising experts ($49,198)
- Media buyers ($50,966)
- Promotion experts ($54,115)
- Writers and copywriters ($50,803)
- Journalists ($44,180)
- Editors ($57,142)
- Broadcasters ($43,570)
- Communications managers ($69,632)
- Internal communication managers ($66,500)
- Marketing and external relations specialists ($49,792)
- Public servants ($57,865)
- Press secretaries ($93,564)
- Campaign managers ($64,348)
- Speechwriters ($87,139)
- Labor relations experts ($80,474)
- Lobbyists ($85,694)
These are just some samples of various popular jobs for communications majors.
Communications studies can lead to positions in multiple sectors.
For example, you might work in business, industry, education, healthcare, government, media, or another area.
Another popular option for communications graduates is a media, journalism, or broadcasting career.
Expertise in research, writing and analysis is essential in producing shows, crafting broadcast news, and developing pieces for printed media.
Communications studies also emphasize research and analytics.
Some graduates prefer entering the corporate world and focusing on business, organizational communications, or sales.
Public relations, advertising, and marketing are popular industries for communications experts to get into.
The increasing demand for services from these industries ensures continuous growth.
For example, global spending on marketing services in 2018 alone reached $457.62 billion.
Communication experts also serve essential roles in public administration through various government offices and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Should I Get a Bachelor’s degree in Communication?
Communication touches nearly every area of life, and earning a degree in this field can help you develop in-demand skills.
Communications students study written, oral, visual, and digital methods of sharing information or persuading audiences.
The curriculum for this degree will challenge you to think creatively and strategically.
For example, you may improve your ability to persuade others or plan effective communications campaigns.
Developing interpersonal skills can be another focus area.
Topics you’ll likely study in a communications program include branding, storytelling, and online media.
Here are some of the many reasons that people choose to earn a degree in communications:
Diverse skill set: Communications majors gain valuable skills in many sectors, including business, journalism, media, advertising, and government.
Management opportunities: Potential leadership roles include marketing manager, public relations manager, and chief communications officer.
Promising job growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there will be opportunities for positions in the media and other industries and that communications will experience 14% growth over the next ten years.
Salary Potential: The Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show that media and communications workers earn a median annual salary of $62,340.
Some management roles may even bring in six-figure incomes.
Timely applications: The world is more connected than ever, and communications professionals are essential in the modern world.
Graduates can enter various industries, such as business, corporate relations, media, T.V., radio, and broadcasting.
Of course, they are also in demand in public relations, marketing, and advertising.
Some even use their skills to enter politics, governance, and other roles in government offices.
A Communication degree is one of the most valuable disciplines right now.
Most industries require experts to facilitate effective communication.
Additionally, a B.A. in Communication provides an advantage to any career.
