Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Communication Technology
Majors Overview February 10, 2015Plenty of universities and colleges owe the growth of technological industries to the high demand for communication technology specialists. Bachelor’s degree programs in communication technology are offered by various universities. Those that graduate from these programs will excel in communication, develop the ability for innovative problem solving, and increase technical skills and knowledge.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Communication Technology
Students enrolled in a communication technology bachelor’s degree program are trained to apply, manage, and evaluate the media technology services devised for use by the general public. Communication technologies include applications relating to conference, discussion, and chat software. A graduate of the program can seek occupations in various organizations and communities.
Graduates of the program can expect to get a good grasp on many rapidly developing new technologies, including ecommerce, personal devices, wireless technology, and communication systems. Communication technology specialists are predicted by some universities to hold the future of cutting-edge social networking, ecommerce, and telecommunication software in their hands.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication Technology degree program typically require incoming students to hold a GED or a high school diploma, in addition to having a minimum number of hours in English classes and submitting a passing score in core classes. Completion of courses such as global issues, statistics, behavioral science, and speech communication is expected of students seeking enrollment to some universities.
Coursework
The focus of coursework in communication technology bachelor’s degree programs is usually centered on the enhancement of communication with current technologies, such as graphic editing, multimedia development, online publishing, and Web pages. Coursework may include these topic areas:
•Organizational communication
•Team communication
•Electronic publishing
•Communication theories
•Mass communication
•Interpersonal communication
•Image editing and web design
•Intercultural communication
Career Choices
Graduates from a bachelor’s degree program in communication technology may seek positions in consumer product development companies, manufacturing facilities, electronics laboratories, military bases, residential construction companies, and public schools. They may seek titles such as:
•Manufacturer representative
•Supervisor of production
•Electronics technician
•Engineering technician
•Supervisor of construction
•Computer or technology teacher
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 2% has been predicted for career and technical education teachers at high school and middle school levels, including computer teachers, over the 2010 – 2020 decade. During the same time period, all types of engineering technicians are expected to enjoy a job growth rate of 5% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
In May 2012, high school level career and technical education teachers banked an average annual salary of $55,160, while middle school level teachers took home an average annual wage of $54,220. The average annual salary for mechanical engineering technicians during the same time was $51,980, while electrical and electronics engineering technicians stood at $57,850.
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates from a bachelor’s degree program in communication technology may seek continuing education by earning a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication with a digital communication concentration. Coursework within the digital communication concentration may include digital strategies, digital media, public relations, Web design, and Web and social media.
The master’s degree may help current communication technology professionals that complete a Web design course to obtain a higher level of responsibility in office settings, including supervisory or managerial positions.