Communication Studies - "Communication Studies deals with the nature of mass communication and the various ways it affects our lives, as well as the very nature of that mass communication itself, from the way it is structured and carried out to its societal impact. Graduates may work in a variety of fields, from participating in the media itself to regulatory positions in government agencies to teaching it to future students. Coursework includes classes dealing with politics, media studies, sociology, and cultural studies, among many others."

Corporate and Business Communication - "As the global business landscape encompasses more of the world than it ever has before, Corporate Business Communication is growing in importance. A team of American businessmen and businesswomen may have to travel to Japan, for example, to finalize a merger. The accepted ways of conducting business are quite different in both countries, and it is vitally important for neither side to offend the other. In this sense, then, corporate communications are more important now than ever before. And public communication- the ways in which corporations and their employees interact with the public at large, often specifically through the mass media- is also growing in relevance as the number and reach of media outlets increases. Coursework in this exciting and interesting field may include cultural studies, language courses, and classes on the mass media, among others."

Health Communication - "As the world becomes ever more interconnected and the spread of infection, therefore, continues to grow, experts in Health Communication are becoming ever more vital to the dissemination of information that is relevant to an increasingly large number of people through the world. In recent years, for example, avian influenza has become a major public health concern. In order to keep the public informed and to prevent unnecessary panic and the spread of incorrect information, accurate facts must be communicated to the public. Those in the health communication field, then, work at the front lines of the battle to keep people accurately informed. Coursework may include classes dealing with both the communication and the medical fields."

Integrated Marketing Communication - "Professionals in the field of Integrated Marketing Communications work to maximize the impact and efficacy of marketing strategies employed by various organizations and corporations. They accomplish this through the normal methods of marketing, as well as through the directed study of the behavior of their target audience, the effects of the environment in which they are marketing their products, and a wide-ranging understanding of the implications of their marketing methods. Coursework may include classes that deal with computer sciences in order to facilitate data-driven marketing, development of brands, and the implications of various types of marketing strategies. As the global economy continues to develop, Integrated Marketing Communications specialists will continue to be in high demand in the professional marketplace."

Interpersonal and Organizational Communications - "Organizational Communications deals with how people interact with one another in a work setting or other highly structured environment. In order to fully understand the ways in which people's interactions are affected by the nature of their environment, sociology, psychology, and business theory all play important roles in this area of study. Interpersonal Communications deals with how people structure and engage in their relationships, and in that sense, both of these fields of study are quite similar. A degree in either Organizational or Interpersonal Communications would be very useful for people hoping for a career in fields ranging from crisis management to work in the public sector to public relations."

Journalism and Mass Media - "In our modern era, communication has expanded tremendously with the inventions of new technologies, and likewise, journalism has also expanded. Advanced degrees in journalism can prepare students to pursue careers in traditional as well as Web-based media including newspapers, magazines, and broadcasting. Journalism degrees help prepare students for a variety of functions within these different areas including writing, editing, publishing, and broadcasting news. Being able to integrate their skills throughout new and traditional media as well as find innovative communications tools will allow journalism students to gain an edge in the competitive marketplace. Related fields may include advertising and public relations, English language and literature, health communication, interpersonal communication, business communication, professional writing, radio, television and film writing, and theater."

Professional Writing - "The field of professional writing prepares students for a variety of writing related jobs in the communication field. Popular degrees include the Master of Arts in Professional Writing and Masters in Professional Communication. Study in this field prepares students to communicate technical and scientific information as well as information specific and endorsed by their employer. This differs from Journalism and Mass Media which is oriented to more toward less biased public information. Other fields of interest are Advertising and Public Relations, Corporate Communications and Integrated Marketing Communications and Interpersonal and Organizational Communications. The more general field of English Language and Literature and Creative Writing provides writing in a less corporate environment." ( www. gradschools.com )

Find Communications Programs

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• Small Group Communication
• Interpersonal Communication
• Persuasion
• Argumentation and Advocacy
• Audio Production
• Electronic Media and Society
• Videography: Television Production in the Field
• Organizational Communication
• Intercultural Communication
• Investigating Communication
• Rhetoric of Race, Class, and Gender
• Modern American Rhetoric
• Television Criticism
• Advanced Video Production
• Classical Rhetoric

Types Of Associate, Undergraduate & Graduate Programs Available
Because of the applicability of the skills one gains over the course of working towards a degree in any of the many fields of communications , even an Associate's degree will prove to be quite more than useful in the marketplace. Of course, no matter what degree you have, you must excel in communications themselves in order to succeed in the world of professional communications. A Bachelor's degree will prepare you for work in a specific field of communications, and teach you the basics. For example, a Bachelor's degree in television communications will provide you with the background necessary to begin working in the field. Experience, however, is key, so education without the ability to perform will not get you very far. Graduate degrees in communications are best suited for those who wish to pursue the academic aspects of the field, and perhaps even teach it to others. In the end, though, you should let your career goals dictate which degree you would like to pursue.

Typical Admissions Requirements
Getting into a communications program may be easy or difficult, depending upon your academic background and goals. In other words, it is exactly the same as most other courses of study, and it is up to you to match your own skill set and background with the schools and programs that fit you best.

Careers In This Field
The list of careers available to graduates of communications programs is seemingly endless. It runs the gamut from the expected to the surprising, and includes, but is certainly not limited to, the following:

• Advertising
• In-house client advertising department
• Sales position in media
• Network or local broadcast television
• Radio
• Cable television
• Internet
• Motion pictures
• Documentary film making
• Corporate, industrial, and government communications
• Television commercial production
• Web content production
• Newspapers
• Magazines - either as staffers or freelancers
• Newsletters
• Websites
• Banks, financial and insurance institutions
• Consulting firms
• Corporations
• Engineering and construction companies
• Entertainment venues (zoos, amusement and theme parks)
• Government agencies (local, regional, state, federal)
• Graphic design studios
• Hospitals, nursing homes, health care institutions
• Law firms
• Non-profit institutions (museums, libraries)
• Public relations firms
• Real estate firms
• Retail establishments (car dealerships, grocery chains, department stores, etc.)
• Sports teams and organizations
• Universities and colleges
• Account management
• Corporate/external communications
• In-house (internal) communications at a corporation, association or television network
• Marketing and promotions
• Media law
• Media planning and buying
• Research; market research firm
• Public affairs, public relations and media relations
• Speech writing
• Special event planning

Salary Ranges In This Field
Because of the wide range of career paths available to graduates with degrees in communications, it is impossible to generalize how much one stands to make. For example, a television news anchor may earn $250,000 per year and only have a Bachelor's degree, whereas his producer , who has a Master's degree, may only make $125,000. Therefore, you should research the specific aspect of the field you choose to pursue for a better idea of what you could potentially earn.

Future Outlook
Again, because of the wide range of specific professions within the field of communications, it is impossible to deal with the issue in general terms. For a better idea of the outlook, go to www.bls.gov and research the area that interests you most.

Resources

1. www.americancomm.org (The American Communication Association)
2. www.natcom.org (The National Communication Association)
3. www.icahdq.org (The International Communication Association)