Communication Degree Program and Career Information

In this far-reaching discipline, one learns to communicate ideas effectively, whether they consist of information, impressions, identity or attitudes. This can be done using words, still or moving images, symbols, sound, or combinations of these techniques and media. Communication arts covers a wide range of interpersonal, mass media and multimedia tools, techniques and materials, with numerous niche specialties to match one's talents and interests.

Communication is a general, rather than a specialized, discipline which includes a background in writing, speaking, media production, and computer use. These basic communication skills can be applied to many fields of endeavor, including the corporate world, government, academia, and public service. Areas of specialization include broadcasting, journalism, publishing, advertising, public relations, telecommunications, mass media, film and media arts, and many more.

Education, Training and Degrees in Communication Studies

Courses in communication studies can be found in virtually all colleges, both on campuses and online, and can lead to numerous degrees in a number of disciplines. Degree requirements vary from field to field and from school to school, but many entry level positions can be obtained with an associate's or bachelor's degree. A master's or doctorate degree, however, is frequently required for corporate communications in larger companies, and to obtain teaching positions.

Explore Career Opportunities in Communication

Numerous career opportunities are available with a general background and skills in communication. Below are a few of the most popular fields in Communication.

Visual Communications

The visual component of communication has risen to great prominence over the last century. More information is being packed into dynamic images and disseminated through numerous media, including photos, illustrations, graphics, multimedia, and mass media such as film and TV. The ability to create dynamic, information-rich imagery can be applied to numerous fields, including advertising, entertainment, journalism and many more.

Journalism

Journalists might be called the watchdogs of society. Their mandate is to keep the public accurately informed about topics of interest or importance. They report the news, perform research and interviews to provide in-depth analyses, and often offer opinions on the meaning or relevance of their study. Journalism can occur in any medium, from print, like newspapers and magazines and books, to visual, such as TV news and film documentaries, to electronic, as in web news and blog sites.

Advertising

Advertising has been called "the art of persuasion," as its goal is to expose potential customers to a product or an idea, and to convince them of its value to them. Advertising cuts across all media boundaries, but the compelling message must be tailored to each specific medium. See "Advertising Manager" in Business.

Corporate Communications

Corporate communications can include public relations, marketing, web design and operation, and the preparation of in-house publications (print, web, and video). All are created to share the vision and perspective of an organization, whether commercial or nonprofit, to the public and to its employees.

Mass Communication

Mass communication is a general field which can include any number of positions in the mass media industry, which delivers information, opinion and entertainment to large numbers of people through media like print, broadcast and cable TV and the web.

Other areas in which a background and degree in communications can prove helpful include human relations, publishing, education, customer service, training, management, human resources, broadcasting, and more.