A Brief History of the Communications Major
Communication studies and degrees have long encompassed a number of different aspects through human study. In ancient countries, the study of rhetoric, oratory, and persuasion, was a major concept and center of study for students interested in the field. The actual study of communications, by itself as one generalized concept in higher education in the U.S. has commonly been traced to Columbia University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Chicago around the 1930s. After the early years in the 1950s, the studies branched out and more specializations were recognized. Today, communications degrees are offered at a number of different colleges and universities in a variety of specializations and degree types. These degree programs are typically associated with learning a wide variety of skills to prepare students for careers in the professional world. This often includes how language and rhetoric can be used as tools, communicating ideas clearly and effectively, how people interpret information, and the cultural, economic, political, and social dimensions of speech. As colleges and universities will have different programs and courses in communication, they may often overlap with other educational programs in journalism, advertising, marketing, public relations, and film, as their fields of study are usually pretty similar.
Delving Into the Communications Major
Communications degrees can prepare you for a number of careers, so the courses in most communications degree programs cover a wide variety of material to help students develop a number of useful skills. While colleges and universities across the country will have different curriculums, and degree types and offer different courses, the concepts and material taught in their courses generally tend to relate to each other. Some common courses required in college communication programs include topics in communications, linguistics, design, archeology, religion, writing, philosophy, art history, and sociology. Communications specific courses may include theories and practice, law and ethics, strategies, media, conflict resolution, public relations, team communication, and mass communication. Most degree programs will also require students to take general education courses that include English, math, social sciences, history, and biology. Common projects associated within communications study can include creating and presenting advertisements, creating and presenting sales pitches, and presenting assignments and speeches to your professors and classmates. Many of the professors in communications degree programs assign a number of speeches throughout the semester to ensure that students are learning their material and can present information in public without a problem. Other common assignments and projects associated within communications programs include writing scripts, broadcasts, and interviews. In addition to the courses and assignments involved in typical communication degree programs, students are also likely required to read novels and books as part of their requirements and be tested over the reading and materials assigned.
Degree Levels:
Associate
An associate’s degree in Communications generally takes students about two years to complete. Students that complete associate’s degree programs in communications and earn their degree learn the basic skills necessary to advance in the field. These skills commonly include: English skills, reading and writing skills, public speaking skills, and advertising and public relations skills, which are all important skills to have for a career in the industry. Students taking communications courses will also learn the skills necessary for interviewing, broadcast writing, editing, business communication, and scriptwriting, and these courses also help to strengthen language skills. Earning a two year associate degree in communications will teach students the basic skills they will need to excel in positions related to communications. They are prepared to communicate effectively on the job, work together as part of a team, take leadership roles when need be, and provide creative ideas for projects and assignments.
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s degree in communications generally takes students about four years to complete. This degree typically includes a requirement of general education courses as well as a concentration in a specific type of communications degree. Students that earn a bachelor’s degree in communications will learn communication skills that allow them to be able to create and distribute messages, communicate effectively both through verbal and written communication, use modern and constantly changing technology to communicate effectively in a global information society, develop the ability to think critically and brainstorm, and solve problems that will arise in the workplace. Bachelor degrees in communications also allow students to explore a number of different organizational, interpersonal, and intercultural communications, while broadening their knowledge in the field. Students that earn their bachelor’s degree in the field are ready to effectively communicate through a number of venues and with a number of skills.
Master’s
A master’s degree is typically a one and a half to two year additional program that is taken after earning a bachelor’s degree. Masters degree programs typically delve more into topics and material in communications and teach further concepts based on the basics already learned in lower level communications courses. Courses in communications masters degree programs are specifically designed to teach students different theories, perspectives, and approaches to important foundations and concepts involved with communications. The courses also require students to conduct plenty of research on specific topics in the field, develop strong analytical and leadership skills, and develop strategies for dealing with real life conflicts and issues.
Doctorate
Students pursuing a doctorate degree in communications conduct a vast amount of research and analysis in the field. Delving on both social and behavioral sciences, communications Ph.D. programs explore communications, both verbal and nonverbal, human interaction, and mass communication. This includes communication through societies, communities, and the media. In addition, students working on doctorate degrees in the field will study and research a number of theories associated with the field and must complete and defend a dissertation before graduation.
Supplementing Your Communications Major
There are a number of concentrations related to communications degrees. While specific concentrations will vary between learning institutions, some common concentrations in the field include (but are not limited to): business communications, journalism, speech, technical communication, and public relations. Communications degrees are extremely versatile and be paired with a number of minor concentrations to give students the courses they will need to excel in a number of fields. For example, students that earn a specialized degree with a minor in business or business administration could be good candidates for a an upper-level or management position in the communications industry. In addition,, students with a degree in communications and a minor concentration in English or speech would be ideal for someone that wishes to pursue a career as an instructor or trainer in the field. So, a major concentration in communications with a minor in another subject would be ideal for both those wanting a career in communications or those that prefer to branch out to a different industry. Because the courses in most communications degrees teach students a number of skills, abilities, and knowledge on a number of different sectors, the degree compliments a number of fields and business types. Graduates with communications degrees can enter the fields of communications, business, journalism, editing, publishing, advertising, marketing, public relations, market research, and sales, amongst a number of others.
Learn More About the Communications Major
The Communications Major in the Job Market
The skills students learn taking communication related courses prepare them for a successful career in their desired fields. Some of the skills students learn while taking communication degree programs include effective communication, creative thinking, time management, leadership, reasoning, public speaking, conflict resolution, self-management, and self-esteem. Graduates can also plan and coordinate meetings and interviews and can carry themselves well when presenting to people. These are all vital skills to have, as employers prefer to hire individuals that are not only interested in the field, but those that are educated and have been trained on important qualities needed for top job performance. Employers are more likely to hire individuals that can demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and knowledge, than those that do not have the skills to perform in their careers, even if they do have a degree that qualifies them for a position. While communications majors are prepared to work professionally in a number of fields and sectors, popular career paths for communications graduates include jobs specifically involved within communications such as consultant, researcher, instructor, director, or liaison. Graduates may also go into public relations, which are responsible for organizational functions and maintaining relationships with media outlets, or in marketing, which can include copy editors, copywriters, and account executives. Journalism, also a popular career path for communications majors, includes careers in writing, editing, and interviewing. Students may also wish to pursue careers in broadcasting, which is a field that employs actors, writers, producers, and editors for television, radio, and film. Other jobs in broadcasting include production positions, camera operators, technicians, and set managers.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
