Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Professional Communication
Majors Overview February 9, 2015Students in bachelor’s degree programs in professional or technical and professional communication will be taught professional communication techniques. Either program will assist individuals in entering business fields that require the strategic and effective communication of ideas.
Information on Professional Communication Degree Programs
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in professional communication or technical and professional communication can seek entry-level careers in the field of communications; the program will also benefit those already employed in the industry that seek expansion of their skill set. These programs teach students about numerous means of communication and methods of using them in public relations, writing, management, marketing, and professional interactions.
The bachelor’s degree program spans four years, but it may less time to complete some degrees in professional communication. General education courses must be completed by all bachelor’s degree students in subject areas such as social studies, mathematics, and English composition.
Core coursework in professional communication programs usually includes rhetoric, public relations, and speech writing. Advertising, negotiation, and business ethics may also be studied by students. Students enrolled in a degree program in technical and professional communication are usually allowed to select a specialization area, such as photography, journalism, or marketing. Students are allowed to tailor a plan of coursework that is devised to help them meet career goals.
Related Degrees
If students don’t find the combination of communication and business skills developed through completion of a degree in professional communication adequate for their requirements, they may choose from a range of similar programs that might satisfy the particular focus of their choosing. These include:
•Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism and Mass Communication
•Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Technical Communication
•Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Public Relations and Marketing
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Program in Professional Communication
Students in undergraduate professional communication programs will be taught the uses of different professional techniques and communication methods, including organization and management. They will also improve speaking and listening skills, gain knowledge of the modern day professional marketplace, and study the use of language.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Students may continue their education through completion of some professional communication programs. Prior postsecondary experience is required by applicants to these programs.
Coursework
Coursework within these bachelor’s degree programs typically focuses on language and its applications in various purposes and occupations. Coursework may include these subject areas:
•Persuasion
•Rhetoric
•Business ethics
•Public relations
•Advertisement
•Negotiation
•Multimedia applications
•Speech writing
Career Choices
Graduates from bachelor’s degree programs in communications may engage in the professional application of their experience in different settings and professions. They may seek occupations in different fields, including:
•Advertisement
•Technical writing
•Public relations
•Marketing
•Journalism
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Program in Technical and Professional Communication
Similar to a degree in professional communication, general coursework related to speaking and writing may be offered through a bachelor’s degree in technical and professional communication, in addition to specialized coursework in concentration areas chosen by students, including printing, digital media, journalism, photography, general business, finance, marketing, and technical writing.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma.
Coursework
Students may tailor their coursework in keeping with their career objectives by choosing secondary majors or concentration options accordingly. Core coursework may typically include topic areas such as:
•Public speaking
•Digital communication
•Technical writing
•Rhetoric
•Law
•Research
Job and Wage Outlook
Those that successfully complete these degree programs may seek entry-level careers in any field whose business strategy relies on communication, both internal and external. In May 2010, public relations specialists banked an average annual salary of $52,090 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). During the same year public relations professionals working in public relations, advertising, and related services industries took home an average annual salary of $69,700 (BLS).
Graduates may also seek to become technical writers. A job growth rate of 15% has been projected for these professionals over the 2012 – 2022 decade. In May 2012, technical writers earned an average annual salary of $65,500 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates from a bachelor’s degree program in professional communications may seek continuing education by earning master’s or doctoral degrees in communications, whereby they gain expertise and specialize in a particular field, such as organizational communication, media studies, human communication, or health communication. A graduate of a master’s or doctoral degree in communication can achieve advancement in his or her career, or seek a career in academia as a researcher or teacher.
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