Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Communication Arts
Majors Overview April 16, 2015Get information about Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Communication Arts and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Communication Arts
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in communication arts usually complete them in four years. They learn theories of organizational, multicultural, and interpersonal communication. Students enrolled in some programs can avail the opportunity of focusing on numerous areas of emphasis, including organizational communication, television, advertising, public relations, and journalism.
Students learn methods of incorporating oral, written, and visual communication in the production of community relations events, political platforms, or effective marketing campaigns. They can expect to become adept at negotiating, resolving disputes, and managing issues in diversity. Students enrolled in some schools are encouraged to involve themselves with film programs or campus radio to gain practical experience in the field.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma along with the completion, in some schools, of a minimum number of units in communication college coursework before allowing the students to apply to the major.
Coursework
Students in the program need to complete about 120 semester hours of courses. The program involves participation by students in internship opportunities to gain real-world experience in numerous specialties in the field, including media or community relations. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Mass communication
•Journalism ethics
•Persuasion
•Communication theory
•Communication law
•Research
•Media criticism and writing
Career Choices
Those who complete the program can seek jobs with public relations firms, newspapers, filming companies, or advertising firms. They can seek work in the corporate world, non-profit organizations, media, or government and aim for job titles such as:
•Communications coordinator
•Multicultural communications director
•Media consultant
•Public relations specialist
•Speechwriter
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growth rate of 12% have been predicted for public relations specialists (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $54,170 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Those who complete a bachelor’s program may seek continuing education through enrollment in communication skills certificate programs, whereby they can keep abreast of new methods and theories in communication and gain instruction about specialties such as marketing communication or leadership communication.
Some may seek graduate degrees by applying to master’s degree programs in communication arts. Concentrations in areas such as rhetoric, media, or multicultural studies are offered through some programs.
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