One of the most exciting and rewarding careers today is considered to be in the field of communications. Qualified individuals can travel several avenues to arrive at a career that offers challenge, opportunity and substantial rewards. To enter this dynamic field, one must first earn a communications degree. Depending upon your career aspirations, you may choose to earn an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or you may even decide to pursue your education to the master’s level.
Regardless of your career goal, your best choice for a quality communications degree may be to enroll in an accredited online college offering programs in communications. Online colleges are becoming an increasingly popular option for students who find it difficult to attend school on a traditional college schedule. Most students cite convenience and flexibility as the two major benefits of online colleges. Another deciding factor for many students is that tuition is often less at online colleges.
Communications may sound interesting, but perhaps you are wondering just what type of career a communications degree will lead to. The successful graduate has a number of options to choose from. A significant advantage of the communications degree is that is flexible. This degree can open doors to careers in business, journalism and public service. Some of the more popular job choices are in:
- Advertising
- Human Resources
- Public Relations
- Broadcasting
- Conflict Management
- Technical Writing
- Business Communication
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Education
- Speech Writing
Most students will select an area of specialization and concentrate their efforts in developing expertise in that one area while completing coursework leading to a well-rounded communications degree. Students engaged in a program leading to a communications degree should expect to complete coursework in:
- Theorizing Communication
- Social Dynamics of Communication Technology
- Organizational Leadership
- Communication Ethics
- Organizational Communication
- International and Intercultural Communications
Depending upon the area of specialization, the student’s curriculum may include coursework in:
- Communication Consulting and Training
- Strategic and Corporate Communication
- Interpersonal and Small Group Communication
- Media Literacy
- Cultural Aspects of Technology
- Public Relations
- Conflict Resolution
These courses are designed to provide the student with the tools required to recognize and define a variety of communication styles. Students will be able to define verbal and non-verbal communication and recognize the importance and effect of both. Students will learn the critical art of negotiating. All of these skills make the graduate more marketable and better-rounded. The more expertise you can bring to the interview, the greater your chances of finding employment.
With a communications degree students will be able to:
- Develop strategies for successful communication in both their business and professional lives.
- Communicate change. This is essential in most organizational environments. Communicators have the expertise to minimize resistance while gaining support and commitment.
- Manage strategic for conflict resolution.
- Effectively convey messages and information, often to produce a desired effect.
To accomplish these tasks, students will be immersed in the latest technologies that apply to the field of communications.
Communications are the cornerstone of industry, commerce, politics and social interaction. A communications degree is also evidence of your desire to excel in your interpersonal relationships. Good communication skills are essential for industry leaders, educators, broadcasters, writers and politicians.
Professors teaching at online schools and traditional colleges possess identical credentials. Students have easy access to online professors through discussion boards, emails and messaging. Many students find that online professors are actually more accessible than those teaching in lecture-type classrooms. In the typical college classroom, students may have to compete with hundreds of other students for attention. Online communication eliminates this competition.
Even though the cost of an online education may be significantly lower than on-campus programs, some students still need financial aid. The good news is that grants, scholarships and student loans are awarded without prejudice to students attending both types of colleges. Online colleges have financial aid officers to help students secure the funding needed for college.
As with any other program, students need access to the latest reference materials. Online students can access e-libraries, finding information easily available. Most textbook publishers will provide either standard college textbooks or e-books. E-books are often preferred because of their portability.
There really are no disadvantages to earning your communications degree through an accredited online college or university. To find the best online school, the American Communications Journal is committed to working with students to determine the online school that best meets their needs.
The American Communications Journal’s commitment does not end there. They understand that earning a communications degree is only half the battle. Your ultimate goal is to secure a good job in the field of communications. To assist you, they have extensive lists of job openings across the country. They work closely with employers to provide up to date job opportunities. Their job lists are updated regularly. A communications degree will open the door to exciting and lucrative career opportunities. We can help you reach your goal of a successful career in communications.