The online degree in Communications provides preparation for a variety of careers such as marketing communication, online and new media communication, public relations, and organizational communications.
Students have the opportunity to explore the theories behind communication, emphasizing the importance of emerging technology in today's communications with social media and online communities.
Learners discover how human beings communicate in groups and inter-personally, whether through verbal or written methods, body language, media or technology. With new forms in communications advancing, graduates who earn their online degree in communications will be equipped with the flexibility they'll need for careers in broadcasting, advertising, film, marketing, public relations, teaching, and business law.
Requirements for a Communications Degree Online Program
The online degree in Communications offers courses in both undergraduate and graduate level studies. Students interested in an undergraduate program and wishing to earn their Associate or Bachelors degree in communication will need to have a High School Diploma, or GED equivalent, may be required to submit SAT, or ACT scores, and maintain a grade point average of 2.0. The Bachelor's degree prerequisites may include courses in media, graphics, or fine arts.
Students interested in a Master's program must hold their Bachelor's degree. For those interested in earning a Doctorate, they will need to have their Masters, or in some cases be currently enrolled in a Masters program that will be completed before beginning Doctorate courses. It is recommended that students applying for graduate level studies to earn a PhD maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. They may also be required to submit a statement indicating intention of research and studies, professional and academic goals, and letters of recommendation documenting their potential and performance.
Associate Degree in Communication: With the Associate degree students gain a valuable milestone in which they can continue on with an advanced degree, or enter the job market. Students who have earned their Associates in Communications will have a foundational overview of disciplines within the communications field. They will be prepared for entry level career positions in news media, communications, and web communications.
Bachelor Degree in Communication: Students enrolled in this undergraduate program may also cover courses in debate, public speaking and mass communication. Communications specialties can include course material in organization behavior, business communication, advertising and marketing, or media studies. With their Bachelors degree, graduates are ready for careers in business as marketing campaign developers, public relations specialists, publishers, and journalists.
Masters Degree in Communication: This program is developed for the professional who come from a field of communications and aspiring towards a leadership role in their organization or field of communication. Students may learn a combination of communication theory and leadership skills that prepare them for advancement in their careers.
Doctoral Degree in Communication: The PhD program in Communication is for professionals who are interested in research, teaching and leadership. Students may be required to work on research papers, doctoral thesis or dissertation papers and examinations. Graduates who earn their PhD typically show a strong academic performance that prepares them for teaching in colleges or universities, or as researchers within principal research organizations.
The online degree in communications offers intensive undergraduate studies for students interested in earning an Associate or Bachelors degree. Coursework may consist of classes in basic entrepreneurship; professional, organizational, and team based communication skills; communication theory and practices; verbal and nonverbal communication; civic participation in communication, and practical application. The Graduate program may consist of coursework that blends theory in communication with practical experience. Courses for graduate work might include quantitative research, conflict and communication, psychoanalysis, language in persuasion and social influence, communications in virtual groups, and organizational consulting.
With competition high in the field of communications, and new trends evolving, graduates with an online degree in communications displaying innovative, solution based techniques and leadership skills are in demand. Graduating holding an Associate degree may find entry-level positions in broadcasting earning $24,000 USD, as news analysts earning $24,000 USD, and as technical writers earning $36,000 USD. For those holding a bachelors degree, careers in public relations as Public relations specialists earn $55,000 USD; and news analysts, reporters and correspondents earn between $35,000 and $75,000 USD. Advertising, marketing and campaign specialists may earn around $90,000 USD, and technical writers earning $61,000 USD.
For graduates holding a Masters Degree, positions in communications and management and research may earn from $50,000 to $90,000 USD. Graduates with a PhD work in research or academia as University Professors earning $108,000 USD, associate professors earning $76,000 USD, assistant professors earning $61,000 USD, and lecturers earn $52,500 USD.
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