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Do you want a career in journalism, corporate communications, media, politics or higher education? Or maybe you have already started this career and are ready to take your skills to the next level.
Either way, a communications professional can jump-start your career by entering one of the areas listed above (or many more). And if you already have a job in communications, a master's degree can help you advance in that area (some leadership positions require a degree) or improve your skills in a particular area of communications.
A master's degree in communication, whether done online or in person, allows you to focus your career in this exceptionally broad field, making you a better and more thoughtful communicator.
In the following guide, we will explain what to expect from the communication wizard. How to apply, what you will study and what you can do with your degree after graduation.
What is a communication master?
The Master of Communications is a graduate program that equips students with the skills needed to succeed in leadership positions in business communications, journalism, politics and advocacy, public relations, sales and marketing, to name but a few.
Production, research, and writing courses provide basic theory, technical skills, cultural context, and contemporary communication methods.
A master's degree in communication typically requires a minimum of 36 graduate credits, culminating in a thesis defense or independent project supervision. Most students complete the master's program in one or two years.
Connection wizard requirements
Requirements vary from school to school, but most schools require:
- A bachelor's degree (sometimes in a specific major such as communications or a related field) from an accredited college or university with a GPA above a set minimum.
- An alumnus admission essay is sometimes referred to as an expression of personal interest.
- At least one letter of recommendation
- Professional-level analysis of a portfolio of recent work or previously completed projects
- Relevant work experience of at least one to two years
Finally, many programs expect applicants to show up for an interview.
Specialization for Master of Communications
Some Master of Communication programs offer specializations that allow students to focus on a particular area of communication. When looking for graduate programs, look for a major that offers a specialization that matches the career you want to pursue after graduation.
Some general specializations include:
- Business conversation
- digital communications
- Social media strategy
- Global and international communication
- Media management
- political communication
- Public Relations and Marketing Communications
- strategic communication
General Master's Degree in Communications
The basic course includes several repetitions.
- Persuasion Drawing on leadership theory, public speaking, and other topics, this course explores how speaker characteristics affect the persuasiveness of a message and how social affiliation influences an audience's willingness to believe a message. Students gain a deeper understanding of methods of influence and persuasion.
- Research and writing. Students learn to find, interpret and evaluate scientific research and apply it to practical problems. The course covers various research methods such as case studies, focus groups and surveys. Students also learn how to interpret statistics and translate research reports into everyday English.
- Theory and practice of mass communication. This course reviews the mainstream literature on the impact of the media on contemporary society. The readings explore the role of the media in societal issues and social change.
Suitable candidates may include:
- Communication and Crisis. Students learn the principles of communication and best practices at every stage of a crisis or disaster. These phases include crisis and disaster planning, real-time crisis response, and crisis recovery.
- Communication about health. In this introduction to health communication theory and methods, students learn strategies for effectively communicating health messages in individual, organizational, and community settings. Students identify factors that influence patients and society to change their behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of standard assessment tools such as focus groups and surveys.
Accreditation of communication masters
Program accreditation means that an agency recognized by the Higher Education Accreditation Council or the US Department of Education has verified that the program's faculty, curriculum, and student services meet certain industry quality standards.
To ensure that you are receiving the highest quality education, look for a master's program in communication that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
What can you do with a master's degree in communication?
The salary data below is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the pay scale.
HR Communications Consultant
Average annual salary: about $85,000.
Required minimum education: bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or related fields; A master's degree is often preferred
Job overview. In a role that combines public relations and marketing, HR consultants prepare internal and external advertising for companies and other large organizations. An employee communications consultant makes recommendations on their organization's internal communications and advises the HR department and management on best practices in this regard.
fundraising manager
Average annual salary: $107,390.
Required minimum education: bachelor's degree in public relations, communications or business; Master's degree in nonprofit management or related fields preferred
Job overview. Fundraisers organize campaigns (such as email or direct mail) and organize events such as galas that raise funds for their organization. They develop and implement fundraising strategies for these campaigns and events. They can apply for grants as well as request grants. Fundraising managers develop and build relationships with potential donors to secure repeat donations from these opportunities.
HR Director
Average annual salary: $130,000
Required minimum education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or Business, Communications or Psychology; Artisans sometimes prefer
Job overview. HR managers supervise the interviewing and hiring of new employees. They work with management on HR decisions and ensure that their company or organization complies with laws and regulations regarding benefits, pensions, and layoffs.
Mass Communications Officer
Average annual salary: $129,430.
Required minimum level of education: bachelor's degree in communications, trade or public relations; It is sometimes preferable to have a master's degree in journalism, public relations, or nonprofit management.
Job overview. Public relations professionals create and distribute media materials that support a company's brand or the public image of an employer or client. They write press releases, respond to media inquiries, and reimburse a given client or employer in the face of negative publicity.
Commercial Director
Average annual salary: $130,600.
Required Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Commerce or a related field such as Finance or Marketing.
Job overview. The sales manager leads the corporate sales team, sets sales goals, assigns territories to the sales reps who work under them, and develops training programs for new reps. Sales managers create and run regular discounts and promotions and can oversee customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Link Masters.
What is a communication master?
The Master of Communications is an advanced degree designed for professionals in consulting, marketing, media, and public relations. Students earn this degree to achieve their career goals and ultimately to specialize. Courses at this level include business communication, marketing and sales, and social media. After completing your master's degree, you can use that degree to advance in your chosen field.
What can I expect from a public relations specialist?
I hope to read and write a lot. Courses include advanced communication practice and theory, as well as critical analysis of media messages. He also focuses on research methodology, public relations, marketing and strategic writing.
What is the difference between MS and MS in communication?
With a focus on communication theory, the Master of Arts in Communication prepares students to be educators, consultants, and strategists. This edition is suitable for writers and public speakers. Leaning towards the technical and practical side of the field (focusing on data), a Master of Science (MS) degree may be best suited for students pursuing a career in business or healthcare.
