5 Education Options for Communications Professionals

Options for Communication Majors Going Back to School

Adult Completion Programs
Online Undergrad Degree Programs
Graduate Degree Programs
Post-Graduate Programs
Certificate Programs

Continuing education programs designed for communications professionals going back to school include both online options and some traditional programs. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree can enroll in graduate degree and certificate programs, while those who have a graduate degree can enroll in a post-graduate program. Colleges also offer programs for those who attended college but did not complete their degrees.

1. Adult Completion Programs

Some professionals go to college for a few years or less and decide that college is not right for them. Adult completion programs give those students the chance to finish their studies and to get credit for all the classes they already took. They will need to submit transcripts that show the names of each class they took and the grades they received. Some schools offer professional or life experience credits too. Professionals with communication experience can get credit for the conferences they attended or some of the jobs they held.

2. Online Undergrad Degree Programs

Another option for students who want to go back to school is an online program. Many colleges and universities now offer courses online and have full degree programs that students can earn without even visiting the main campuses. Communication majors can look forward to taking introductory courses that teach them about different types of communications, including in the business sector and online. A large number of programs will also let majors take classes in journalism and writing too.

3. Graduate Degree Programs

Earning a bachelor’s degree can take between three and five years or longer. It usually depends on the number of credits taken each semester and the major the student chooses. Those who have a bachelor’s degree in communication or a similar field can apply to graduate programs and study the topic in more depth. Graduate programs often include a thesis component and ask students to base a final project or paper on a subject related to their individual field of study. Some graduate communication programs feature a capstone or an internship too. Students can get credit for doing internships with online newspapers and with traditional advertising and marketing companies.

4. Post-Graduate Programs

Though many students assume that certificate programs are only available for students who do not have their degrees or those who have lower degrees, some post-graduate programs are available from select colleges. Designed for students who have a graduate degree, the programs allow them to focus their studies on a select area of communications and allow them to earn certificates after taking as little as five courses. They can study related fields such as journalism and subject-specific fields such as strategic communicating.

5. Certificate Programs

Continuing education programs for professionals can also include other types of certificate programs. Some of the top programs are available through the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC). According to the IABC, those certificate programs prepare students to work as communication management professionals and strategic communication management professionals. Each program requires that applicants take a test and that they have at least six years of experience. The strategic certificate is only available for those who have a minimum of eight years of professional experience.

Communication professionals work in a variety of industries today. Though some run their own businesses and work as entrepreneurs, others work for nonprofit organizations and large corporations. Communications professionals who decide to go back to school will find continuing education programs that help them earn degrees and certificates.