Communications Degree Guide
Key Takeaways
- A communications degree prepares students for careers in media, marketing, public relations, and journalism by developing key skills in writing, research, and digital communication.
- Students can pursue credentials from the associate to the doctoral level, with concentrations in areas such as technical writing, broadcast journalism, and digital marketing.
- Graduates qualify for roles such as PR specialist, technical writer, or marketing manager, with median salaries ranging from $57,500-$157,620.
A communications degree can position you for a career in media, marketing, government, nonprofits, public relations, or writing. It can also provide the foundation for an MBA, law degree, or other graduate program.
Choosing the right communications major is key to making your program work for you. Look for degrees that blend communication theory with hard skills like public relations, technical writing, or audio engineering.
Use our guide below to navigate the ins and outs of getting a communications degree and launching your career.
What Is a Communications Degree?
A communication degree can help you land jobs in media, including online and print marketing, journalism, and public relations. Communication majors study mass media, technical communications, and advertising.
In this degree program, you’ll learn how to write press releases, long-form articles, and technical documents. You’ll also strengthen your writing and communication skills to prepare you for careers across a variety of industries.
Types of Communications Degrees
You can major in general communication, or you can choose a specialized subfield such as:
- Broadcasting: Learn the storytelling and technical skills required to write, direct, and produce content for television or radio.
- Journalism: Discover how to ethically source and write meaningful stories for print or broadcast media.
- Digital Marketing: Find out how to make the most of modern communication technology, such as social media, podcasting, digital analytics, and online market research.
- Technical Communications: Learn to conduct technical research on complex, specialized topics and then write in a way that makes that research accessible, precise, concise, and accurate.
Reality Check: Is a Communications Degree Useless?
While a communications major doesn’t have a direct-to-entry pathway to a specific career, it can offer diverse critical skills for the marketplace and lead to a variety of lucrative, in-demand jobs.
Depending on your degree type, you may find a role as a lobbyist, fundraising director, managing editor, or vice president of content.
Communications Degrees: From Associate to Doctorate
Considering a communications degree? You can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in communication to prepare for specific careers. Many roles, like public relations specialist or interpreter, require at least a bachelor’s degree.
This section introduces the different types of communications degrees and the career opportunities available at each level.
Associate Degree in Communications
- Program Length: 2 years
- Required Credits: 60
- Potential Jobs: Customer service representative, administrative assistant, advertising sales agent
An associate degree in communications introduces learners to foundational concepts in the discipline. Students study topics like interpersonal communications, public speaking, and mass communications. The degree also incorporates general education courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
After earning a two-year associate degree, you can transfer into a bachelor’s program. The degree also prepares you for roles like administrative assistant or customer service representative. Some employers hire advertising sales agents with an associate degree, but most require a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degree in Communications
- Program Length: 4 years
- Required Credits: 120
- Potential Jobs: Public relations specialist, marketing analyst, journalist, technical writer
A bachelor’s degree in communications introduces you to topics like technical communication, mass communication, and public relations. The degree uses assignments and projects to strengthen your interpersonal and critical thinking skills while building strong communication abilities.
After gaining these skills, you can pursue entry-level opportunities in marketing, fundraising, journalism, and public relations. Earning a bachelor’s degree typically takes four years for full-time students. Transfer students with prior college credit or an associate degree can complete their bachelor’s degrees in less time.
Master’s Degree in Communications
- Program Length: 2 years
- Required Credits: 30-40
- Potential Jobs: Fundraising manager, marketing manager, public relations manager
A master’s degree in communication offers advanced training in public relations, applied communication, and communication theory. During a master’s program, you take coursework in a specialized area, such as journalism, marketing communications, or public relations.
You may also complete an internship to gain practical experience as part of your degree. Most programs culminate with a master’s thesis or exam. Earning a master’s in communications generally takes two years for full-time students, though some programs offer accelerated options that allow you to earn the degree faster.
Doctorate in Communications
- Program Length: 4-5 years
- Required Credits: 60-120
- Potential Jobs: Communications professor, higher education administrator
A doctorate in communications prepares you for the most advanced roles in the field. For example, most communications professors hold a doctorate. At the doctoral level, you take courses in communication theory, research methods, and media theory.
You also take comprehensive examinations and must defend a doctoral proposal to begin working on your dissertation. During the dissertation stage, you conduct research and write an original work of scholarship. Earning a doctoral degree requires a significant time commitment, and most programs require a master’s degree for admission.
What to Consider Before Applying to a Communications Program
Before declaring a communications major, consider all your options. You might want to focus on business communications, international or intercultural communications, broadcast journalism, or sports communications.
Accreditation
You should always research accreditation before applying to communication programs. Regionally accredited schools meet the highest standards for academic excellence. Choosing an accredited school can shape your academic opportunities and career prospects.
In addition to choosing a regionally accredited school, applicants should research accredited communication programs. The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications grants accreditation to communication programs.
Ensure Your Area of Focus Is Offered
Communication is a big field. Before enrolling, ensure your prospective school offers the kind of communication degree you want. For example, if you plan to go into public relations, make sure the school offers PR as a major, minor, or concentration within the communications department.
Admission Requirements
Each university establishes its own admissions requirements. Typically, community colleges require only a high school diploma or GED certificate, while a public or private university may set minimum GPA requirements and other academic or social expectations. Online schools vary widely in what they require from prospective communications majors.Standard application requirements include:
- Official high school transcripts or GED test results
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardized test scores, such as the ACT or SAT
- A personal statement or essay
- A resume or CV highlighting experience (graduate level)
- GRE scores (graduate level)
What Can You Do With a Communications Degree?
With a communications degree, you can pursue careers in public relations, journalism, marketing, fundraising, or any other field that requires strong communication skills. You could deliver the news on TV, manage digital marketing campaigns, do market research, or teach undergraduate students.
| 9 Communications Careers | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Projected Job Growth (2023-2033) | Minimum Degree Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising Sales Agents | $61,270 | -7% | Bachelor’s* |
| Market Research Analysts | $74,680 | 8% | Bachelor’s |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,500 | -3% | Bachelor’s |
| Public Relations Specialists | $66,750 | 6% | Bachelor’s |
| Technical Writers | $80,050 | 4% | Bachelor’s |
| Sales Managers | $135,160 | 6% | Bachelor’s |
| Marketing Managers | $157,620 | 8% | Bachelor’s |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $131,870 | -3% | Bachelor’s |
| Communications Professor | $79,910 | 3% | Doctorate |
Communications Major Salary
How much you can earn with a communications degree depends on where you live, what part of the industry you work in, and what experience and skills you bring to your employer. The following table shows the average salary for communications major graduates.
How Much Does a Communications Degree Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), communication degrees cost $11,000-$13,000 per year in tuition and fees at the bachelor’s level.
Ultimately, the cost of a communications degree varies according to where you go to college and what kind of financial aid package you receive. Generally, attending school online at an in-state public institution is the cheapest option, but you might find other possibilities for the most affordable online communications degrees.
| Degree Level | Online Communications Programs | Traditional, On-Campus Communications Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | $2,435 | $1,788 |
| Bachelor’s | $11,324 | $12,449 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Communications Degrees
How much can communication majors make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, communication and media professionals earned a median annual wage of $66,320 in 2023, higher than the median of $48,060 for all occupations.
Technical writers, advertising managers, nonprofit fundraisers, and public relations executives were among the highest-paid communications professionals, while photographers and A/V technicians were among the lowest-paid.
Can you get a job in communications with a sociology degree?
You can get a job in communications with almost any degree. Sociology can give you a good foundation in how groups of people communicate, which can support many communication-based careers.
However, if you plan to work in a comms-specific field like broadcast journalism, postsecondary education, or public relations, you may want to earn a master’s degree in communications to supplement your sociology major.
Is a communications degree worth it?
You can find many dynamic jobs with a communications degree, but this major’s highest-paying roles typically go to executives, not technical professionals.
If you love working in communications, though, you can build an exciting career. Figure out which field interests you the most and do as much research as you can to determine job and salary prospects.
Can you teach with a communications degree?
A master’s degree or doctorate in communications can give you the credentials to teach at a college or university.
If you want to be a K-12 teacher, though, you need to earn a licensure-eligible education degree. A bachelor’s degree in communications will not qualify you to teach, but if you already have a comms major, it may help you gain access to a nontraditional teaching licensure track.