Types of Communications Graduate Program: Masters in Communication vs. Communications Certificate Program
by admin on 01/02/12 at 12:04 pm
Learn the different types of communication graduate programs, including degree overviews of a masters in communication program and graduate certificate program.
Communication graduate programs provide opportunities for advanced communication studies. These programs may either offer opportunities to study general communications or focus on specialty areas of communications in depth. Many schools offer such programs including a communication graduate certificate, masters in communication or PhD.
Masters in communication appears to focus on the relations of communication and society. Students may choose a specialty area that deals with political or business communications. Sometimes, they tackle anthropological communications to know its influence on the society and human interactions.
Master’s degree programs typically require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Some programs may require a bachelor’s degree in communications. However, other programs allow students even with an undergraduate degree in any field of study.
Most programs allow a student to choose a specific area such as health communications or political communications. In general, programs take about two years to complete and may require a research project or thesis. The coursework may cover topics that include communications in conflict and negotiations, digital communications, persuasion and organizational communications.
After completing a masters in communication, you may think, ‘What can I do with a communications degree?’. Fortunately, a master’s degree diploma can be a great asset in many industries. Some of the common career options include advertising, public relations and journalism.
According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), public relations is projected to experience fast increase until 2018 with an average salary of about $51,000 as of 2008. Jobs in the advertising sector are also expected to increase, even though at a somewhat slower rate; the average salary range for higher-level advertising positions is between $80,000 to $110,000, depending on the position. On the other hand, the journalism sector is projected to have a small decline, with average earnings of about $35,000 for correspondents and reporters while analysts make $51,000 annually, as of 2008.
Graduate certificate programs typically allow a student to focus on one distinct aspect of the communications field.
This communications degree program allows students to enhance their knowledge and skills acquired during undergraduate study to further improve professional skills and career chances. Oftentimes, a bachelor’s degree is needed to enter graduate certificate programs.
Usually, certificate programs take a year or less. The curricula often vary depending on the concentration areas being studied.Common topics covered include new and integrated media, marketing and public relations communications, organizational communications and communications in society.
A handful of professional organizations provide opportunities for communications professionals to continue their education and professional development. These organizations include the Association for Women in Communications and the International Association of Business Communicators. Students planning to pursue further studies in communications may consider getting a doctorate program.
Once you are studying in a communications graduate program, make the most of the opportunities to broaden your horizon. Most programs offer special job fairs, industry immersion programs and seminar for which you can join to. If you want to get into a masters in communication program, understand the field, read extensively about the business of communications and pursue the degree assertively.
