Communications graduate degrees are a versatile tool for students who wish to head into fields like business and law, but there’s more than one type of degree in communications. By the time it’s time to start applying to graduate schools, a student should have a fairly clear idea of where he or she might want to work and in what industry.
Graduate Degrees in Communications
Public Relations: An essential facet of successful public relations work is strong communication. Students who wish to work in PR after graduation should look for a graduate program that offers a degree with a focus in public relations. The name of the degree might be something like “Communication PR” or “PR and Communications.”
Corporate Communications: Often similar to degrees in PR, a degree in Corporate Communications (sometimes called “PR & Corporate Communications”) focuses on formulating strategic communications and helping companies send the right message at the right time. Students who enjoy the strategy needed in corporate communications might want to investigate this type of degree.
Broadcast Communications: As the name would suggest, students who have an interest in the world of television broadcasts would want to seek out a master’s program in this area. Today’s degrees in Broadcast Communications don’t stop with the television, however. Most communications graduate degrees also feature study of all types of electronic communications from video or audio production (like radio) to online entertainment and communication.
Political Communication: Students who wish to enter journalism may want to seek out a graduate program in Political Communication. This degree provides a strong base for entering politics but is also valuable for careers in journalism. There are usually classes on strategic communications with this type of degree, which is not unlike the study required of a degree in PR.
Written Communications: Students who hold a bachelor’s in English, Writing, or Communications may want to consider a graduate degree in Written Communications. Technical writers, fiction writers, and anyone who wants to communicate with language would benefit from a communications degree that focused upon written communication.
Marketing Communication: Degrees that improve a student’s communication skills are a perfect match for work in marketing and advertising. A graduate degree that offers specific classes in marketing or advertising is a terrific choice for anyone who wants to enter management with a high salary. Graduate study often features curriculum and focus in modern advertising or global marketing.
Agricultural Communications: The communications requirements of agriculture aren’t the first place many communications students think of when considering graduate programs, but there are several communications graduate programs that focus on agriculture. Agricultural communications majors are given coursework in agribusiness and farming so as to become effective communicators for the industry.
Getting a communications degree is valuable because it opens doors into just about any industry imaginable. Every company needs to communicate well. Students who have been taught effective communication skills are an asset to any industry. Communications graduate degrees add value to a student’s resume when there are industry-specific skills required, such as effective political communications for a job as a political aide.
