What Skills will I Learn with a B.A. in Communications?

<p>Communications involves gathering information and effectively distributing it to others via the written or spoken word. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communications degree programs offer a wide breadth of learning in communication methods, and they also commonly offer emphasis areas, such as corporate communications or investigative journalism, to prepare students to enter specific job markets. Depending on the college's program, internships may be encouraged or required in order for students to gain hands-on knowledge and experience. Through a B.A. in Communications program, students develop a number of useful general skills, such as: </p> <ul><li>Research and analysis of information </li><li>Writing for clarity and explanation </li><li>Interpersonal communications </li><li>Visual design </li><li>Public speaking </li><li>Media relations </li><li>Problem solving </li><li>Decision making </li><li>Leadership </li><li>Conflict resolution </li><li>Presentation speaking </li></ul><h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutB.A.DegreesInCommunications">Important Facts About B.A. Degrees in Communications</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Prerequisites </td><td> High school diploma or GED equivalent</td></tr> <tr><td>Online Availability </td><td> Some schools offer the program completely online</td></tr> <tr><td>Common Courses </td><td> Mass media &amp; society, journalism, public speaking, social media</td></tr> <tr><td>Continuing Education </td><td> Master of Arts in Communication</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---SpecificSkills">Specific Skills</h3> <p>In addition to general communication skills, students concentrating in particular area associated with communications acquire specific skills related to that area. For example, journalism students hone their skills in researching, interviewing, and analytical writing. Public relations experts, who share information about companies, products or events with the community, must be able to orally and verbally convey details to individuals and groups and have promotional skills. Corporate communications specialists need to have highly developed skills in email and newsletter writing. </p> <h3 id="section---CareerInformation"> Career Information</h3> <p>Graduates from B.A. in Communications degree programs have wide-ranging skills set applicable to many jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes career profiles for popular fields, along with their employment outlook forecasts and salary statistics: </p> <p>A decline of 9% is expected for employment opportunities for news analysts, reporters, and journalists from 2021 to 2031. News analysts, reporters, and journalists had a $48,370 median annual salary in 2021. </p> <p>Average job growth of 4% is expected for writers and authors from 2021 to 2031, with increasing opportunities in web writing and e-book publishing. Editing job opportunities are expected to decline by 5% in the same decade, though more jobs should become available in the online publishing sector. As of 2021, editors made a median salary of $63,350 while writers and authors earned $69,510. </p> <p>In the public relations field, job opportunities are expected to be better. An 8% employment increase is predicted for public relations managers and fundraising managers, and an 8% rise in public relations specialist jobs is predicted for the 2021-2031 decade. Public relations specialists had a 2021 median wage of $62,800, while public relations and fundraising managers brought home a median income of $119,860.</p>