In today’s complex and competitive business environment, professionals with a master’s in communications will find various opportunity niches to grow their careers. Effective communication is a critical requirement for any organization that hopes to thrive regardless of the challenges that it faces. Communications professionals with advanced degrees may find themselves tasked with strategic communication to support corporate and brand development or public relations functions to spread the organization’s message. Other functions include processing daily information flow to ensure that stakeholders are on board and crisis management functions when organizations have to deal with unexpected circumstances.
Finding Diverse Opportunities
Professionals who complete a master’s in communications are in a unique position to take on different responsibilities, depending on their academic specialization and experience. Whether the organization is a nonprofit, for-profit or government body, internal communications should flow efficiently, creating communication loops that will ensure that goals are met in a timely manner. These tasks include formulating policies for each departmental level and creating information materials that would include written, audiovisual and other products.
Communications specialists may become the face of the organization as a spokesperson, community liaison or public information officer. Other frontline opportunities include broadcast duties for TV, radio and online shows, public relations specialists and analysts according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With a master’s degree, the communications professional is expected to have a mastery of communication theory along with the ability to design, implement and analyze high-level communication research. These competencies are needed in different operational aspects of business and organization.
Applying for a Master’s in Communications Program
Those who are determined to pursue an advanced degree in the field of communications have two options. The first option is to find a five-year program that is structured as a joint program to gain bachelor’s and master’s degrees almost simultaneously. The coursework may be intense because enrollees are expected to complete undergraduate requirements while pursuing graduate-level courses. A master’s thesis, a keystone project or an internship may be required to complete the joint bachelor’s/master’s program.
The second option is the traditional bachelor’s to master’s academic track. Complete a four-year undergraduate degree and then pursue a master’s degree in communications, which may take an additional two to four years. This option may be the preferred choice for those who wish to complete a master’s degree from a more selective program.
Ranking: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
Prerequisites to Qualify for a Master’s Program
The basic requirement to be considered for a master’s program in communications is the completion of a four-year degree from an accredited college. Internship in a relevant field of study may also be required, and many graduate programs put some weight on work experience as an evaluation factor. References from past and current employers are standard requirements of the application package.
The undergraduate degree does not necessarily have to be in the field of communications. Science and technology majors may find that completing a graduate program in communications will hone their skills so that they can specialize in science communications as an example. Any undergraduate major will be considered if candidates for the graduate program are willing to complete the prerequisite coursework in communication theories, strategies and research that are not typically included in undergraduate studies for math, science and technology majors.
Communications specialists are expected to have an understanding of theories and practices in this field. They should be able to communicate ideas clearly through verbal and written channels. With a master’s, one would be expected to apply quantitative and qualitative analysis to real-life problem solving, which is the primary focus of a graduate-level program in communications.