Communications degrees are associated with the area of arts and humanities. Normally, a bachelor’s of arts degree is the degree of choice for a career in communications.
Reports show that about 75 percent of a person’s day is spent communicating. Communications is one of the most popular majors in America, normally attractive to students who are creative and resourceful. Those with careers in communications impact mass media, thus affecting the culture, society, and even government. With a high concentration on writing and the internet, communications majors are typically technologically savvy and innovators of social movements.Communications Degree Profile
Common Specialized Degree Programs
Advertising
Cognitive Linguistics
Conversation Analysis
Discourse Analysis
Interpersonal Communications
Journalism
Linguistics
Mass Communications
Organizational Communications
Political Communications
Pragmatics
Public Relations
Radio and Television
Semiotics
Sociolinguistics
Average Salary
Entry level $30,000 to $60,000 mid-career
Degree Programs
A bachelor’s degree (including an associate’s degree) is desireable for entry-level work. Completion of the bachelor degree requires between 120 and 128 credit hours depending on the university.
Best Communications Programs
(According to CollegeCrunch.com, 2009)
University of Pennsylvania
Syracuse University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Pepperdine University
Main Courses of Study in College: Writing, Advertising, Public Relations
Recommended High School AP Classes
English Language
English Literature
Psychology
Careers Obtained with Communications Degrees
Acquisitions Editor
Advertising Sales Coordinator
Anchor
Announcer
Audiovisual Specialist
Author
Broadcasting Station Manager
Business Manager
Campaign Director
Casting Director
Cognition Researcher
College Admissions
Community Relations Director
Copy Writer
Corporate Public Affairs Specialist
Creative Director
Customer Service Representative
Diplomat
Director of Advertising
Director of Business Development
Director of Communications
Director of Human Resources
Director of Marketing
Disc Jockey
Editor
Educator
Event Planner
Federal Agent
Foreign Correspondent
Language Specialist
Legislative Assistant
Lobbyist
Media Buyer
Media Planner
Model
News Reporter
Non-Profit Program Director
Performing Artist
Producer
Public Administrator
Public Opinion Researcher
Public Relations Account Manager
Public Researcher
Publicity Manager
Reporter
Research Specialist
Sales Representative
Script Writer
Stage Manager
Student Tour Coordinator
Systems Analyst
Technical Director
Translator
Transmitter Engineer
Notable Communications ProfessionalsHugh Jackman Communications Major
Bob Costas, television news anchor
Brooke Burke, model and actress
Connie Chung, television news reporter and anchor
Dan Rather, CBS Evening News anchor
David Letterman, NBC’s The Late Night anchor
Denzel Washington, actor
Donovan McNabb, quarterback for Philadelphia Eagles
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, National Basketball Association player
Gary Larson, The Far Side cartoonist
Howard Stern, radio personality
Hugh Heffner, publisher of Playboy
Hugh Jackman, actor
James Gandolfini, actor
Jane Pauley, television news anchor
Jay Leno, NBC’s The Tonight Show host
John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States
Mark McGrath, lead singer for Sugar Ray
Matt Lauer, NBC’s The Today Show anchor
Meg Ryan, actress
Renee Zellweger, actress
Spike Lee, actor and director
Walter Cronkite, television news anchor
Also Read:
Communications Scholarships
Should You Major in Communication?
The Best Communications Schools in the U.S.