Associate Degrees in Communication

Career Options with This Degree

An associate’s degree in communication prepares students to work in a number of fields. Traditional forms of media, such as television, radio, and newspapers, all hire workers with communication degrees, but students can also look to new media such as social networking and web video for jobs. Companies also hire public relations specialists and customer service teams to serve in a communication role between the company and the general public.

Students tasks in this career field depend largely on their job title, but with an associate’s degree, they can expect to work as part of a team or reporting to a communications director.

Average Salary of Degree Holders

With an associate’s degree in communication, students can expect to make $52,550, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics. As with any career, the more responsibility students have in their job, the more they make. Salary also depends on the employer. Some of the highest paid positions are in the government and working for major corporations, while non-profits typically pay much less, as they have lower overall budgets.

Students make more money as they work in this field, especially if they stick with one employer and advance within a company. Students can also make more money by going back to school to get their bachelor’s degree or even master’s degree in communication. Many employers even help students go back to school by providing tuition assistance programs.

Coursework Required to Obtain This Degree

In order to earn an associate’s degree in communication, students go through courses such as public speaking, journalism, and business. Most associate’s degree programs include a number of 101-level courses to allow students to get a feel for a wide variety of fields within the communications industry. Students may also take more general math, science, and art/music courses to give them a well-round education.

Journalism Schools and Degrees

Ashford University WSCUC	Available Programs: BA in Journalism and Mass Communication BA in Communication Studies
Full Sail University ACCSC	Available Programs: BS in Media Communications MA in New Media Journalism
Southern New Hampshire University ACCSC	Available Programs: BA in Communication MA in Communication in Public Relations MA in Communication in New Media and Marketing
Liberty University SACS	Available Programs: MA in Strategic Communication MHA in Public Relations
Purdue University HLC	Available Programs: MS in Communication
Temple University MSA	Available Programs: Bachelor of Journalism Master of Journalism
Quinnipiac University NEASC	Available Programs: MS in Journalism
California Baptist University WACS	Available Programs: BA in Communication Studies BA in Public Relations MA in Communications