Degree Programs in Communication:
1. Advertising
2. Communication Studies
3. Digital Communication
4. Journalism
5. Mass Communication
6. Photo Journalism
7. Political Communication
8. Public Relations
9. Radio and Television
Article by: Shripriya Maheshwari
Have you ever wondered to take on the world and raise your voice on the problems that matter? Do you also feel like you can make a change to help achieve a society more just and humane for our coming generations? Well, if the answer is yes, then you're at the right place. In this article, we will be breaking down key degree programs offered in the field of Communication. Yes, Communication is not just one field, rather it is a combination of Advertising, Media, Television, Journalism, and the list goes on.
While we understand that this is a vast field transcending the boundaries of this blog post, we'll try to list down the major and most prevalent degree programs available in Communication. We have curated a list of 4 different degree programs ranging from Advertising to Television. By the end of this article, you will be familiar with the skills each program requires and where will you work in the future. We have also listed a few universities known for their Communication Degree Programs.
1. Advertising
What is Advertising?
How do these social media websites make money? How do you come to know about a new product in the market? It all depends on advertising. Advertising has become a booming field in the digital age. It is equally important to market your product well, as it is to deliver the functionality. Communication is key and advertising is the media promising that very same thing.
What does an Advertising Degree cover?
A degree program in Advertising broadly covers Copywriting, Media Campaigns, Layouts, Advertising Principles, Media Economics, etc. The course also tests your communication and presentation skills. This project-oriented major will hone your problem-solving skills and you will spend a lot of time looking at ads or doing background research. If the idea of spending a major chunk of your time discussing ads, their associated concepts & slogans sounds appealing to you, then this may be the right program for you. In the end, the art of advertising lies in deciding what convinces your customer to buy a certain product or use a certain service.
Where will you work?
Advertising is a creative field and like any other job, it asks a lot from you. Advertising majors end up in a lot of different professions including product management, copywriting or campaign management. You can see yourself working for marketing firms, advertising companies or media planners.
Most Popular Universities:
1. Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
2. The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA
3. The University of Miami, Florida, USA
4. The University of Alabama, Alabama, USA
5. Syracuse University, New York, USA
2. Journalism
What is Journalism?
Journalism is a professionally-oriented creative major which involves gathering, preparing and presenting information through different sources of media. If you spend a lot of time fact-checking and feels confident enough with your writing skills, then journalism might be the right choice for you.
What does a Journalism Degree cover?
Journalism involves fieldwork along with researching every bit of information through newspapers, magazines, websites, radio, etc. You will often be asked to come up with a quirky and polished article with stringent deadlines. Journalism requires detailed knowledge of the subject in hand. A degree program in Journalism will cover editing, feature writing, and reporting back to the audience. Journalism is again subdivided into Print Journalism and Broadcast Journalism.
Where will you work?
The internship programs offered during a major in journalism can be a great learning experience to decide where you want to work in the future. You can take up jobs with Newspapers, Magazines, Radio Stations and Corporate Marketing. You could also be a spokesperson for a political leader. The possibilities are endless in this digital era.
Most Popular Universities
1. The University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2. Boston University, Massachusetts, USA
3. New York University (NYU), New York, USA
4. Syracuse University, New York, USA
5. Northwestern University, Illinois, USA
3. Public Relations
What are Public Relations?
Public Relations (PR) help a company or an individual maintain a positive image of their business through paid communications. The instances may include traditional media, social media, or in-person engagements. In other words, PR is responsible for the quality and the quantity of information that goes out in the public concerning your organization. It is also responsible for justifying your credibility during a crisis.
What does a degree program in Public Relations cover?
Through a degree in Public Relations, you will learn all the written, verbal and visual elements that go into building a strong positive image of an organization. Public Relations is an interdisciplinary field which prepares you on using the basics to drive up the sales of your clients. You will ensure that the information should be presented in the best possible way such that it conveys authenticity and credibility to the public eye. You will also learn about damage control, event management, public speaking and socializing. Since the majority of the industries require a PR department, this is essentially a multi-disciplinary field where you would be learning about Philosophy, Languages, Art, Business, etc.
Where will you work?
Public Relations is a widespread field. A major in Public Relations will provide you with the opportunity to work under an organization, a university or even an individual. After all, in the end, it is about promoting their brand and showcasing why they're best in their respective fields.
Most Popular Universities:
1. The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
2. Boston University, Massachusetts, USA
3. University of Florida, Florida, USA
4. University of Michigan, Michigan, USA
5. Syracuse University, New York, USA
4. Radio and Television
What does a degree program in Radio and Television cover?
As the name suggests, a major in Radio and Television or Broadcasting will prepare you with the technical and communication skills that go into the production of radio and television programs. The skills also include background research and subject history. You will learn to create electronic media from scratch including nuts-and-bolts practices.
Where will you work?
This professional program prepares you to work in several fields including but not restricted to television and radio shows, media, government, public relations, etc. You can also work at an organization targeting a particular field, for instance, sports, history, politics, entertainment, live talks or podcasts. Initially, you will start as an entry-level professional under the supervision of a director, program manager, editor or producer.
Most Popular Universities
1. The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA
2. The University of Florida, Florida, USA
3. Auburn University, Alabama, USA
4. Syracuse University, New York, USA
5. University of Central Florida, Florida, USA
