Master's in Corporate Communications: Salary and Career Facts

Find out about the types of jobs you could pursue in corporate communication. Read on to learn more about career options along with salary and job duties.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Corporate Communications?

A master's degree in corporate communication will train you to verbally and visually communicate to a variety of news outlets, shareholders, workers, corporate executives and clients. Two possible career options in corporate communications are public relations specialist and communications coordinator.

Public relations specialists are in charge of an organization's public image. They communicate with the media on behalf of their organization and can plan other public events, such as speeches, press releases, or interviews. They must be aware of the public's opinion of the organization and ensure that the organization always puts its best foot forward.

Similarly, communications coordinators are in charge of correspondence in relation to marketing. This includes planning events and creating marketing publications and other communications projects such as employee newsletters. They track and maintain the company's image according to the views of both employees and the general public.

The table below outlines the general requirements for these career options.

	Public Relations Specialist	Communications Coordinator
Degree Required	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
Educational Field of Study	Communications Public Relations Journalism	Communications Public Relations
Key Responsibilities	Writes press releases; prepares information for the media; helps clients communicate with the public	Handles an organization's or individual's marketing communications; creates marketing publications; coordinates events
Job Growth (2020-2030)	11%*	N/A
Median Salary	$62,810 as of May 2020*	$45,685 as of December 2021**

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics **Payscale.com

What Will I Learn in a Master's Degree Program in Corporate Communications?

Master's degree programs in corporate communications blend the studies of public relations and organizational management to prepare you for a business career working with shareholders, advertisers and the media. Along with oral presentations and written communications, you will learn how to use digital photography, videos and interactive websites for the promotion of businesses.

Much of your courses will cover topics relate to communications theory and advertising. Some of the subjects you may study during your program include media analysis, research methods, persuasion theory, crisis communication, reputation management, managerial writing, cultural communication and technical writing.

What Additional Credentials Could I Pursue?

Once you've got your master's degree, you might consider looking into professional accreditation. One such accreditation comes from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), which offers its Accredited Business Communicator credential. With a master's degree, you'll need to build five years of experience to be eligible for this accreditation.

Another accreditation is through the Public Relations Society of America. The Accredited in Public Relations (APR) exam tests participants in such areas as communications theory, strategic planning and communications ethics. While neither of these accreditations is required, they can boost your level of employability when job seeking.

What Jobs May I Apply For?

A master's degree in corporate communications can ready you for work in government, education, business and the nonprofit sector. When looking for work in this field, you'll likely encounter various job titles, including public relations specialist and communications coordinator.

Your main tasks will be keeping up the image of a business or other organization while communicating within and outside of the business. You will be expected to create memos for internal use, reports for investors and news outlets, promote the business through websites and press releases, and possibly create financial reports for corporate heads. In many cases, you will need problem solving skills to help save face for the company in times when damage control may be needed.

What Can I Earn?

In May of 2020, public relations specialists made a median yearly salary of $62,810, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Currently, the BLS states that between 2020 and 2030, jobs in this field will increase by 11% (www.bls.gov).

What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?

Advertising sales agents do not require postsecondary education. They work with organizations to rent or sell advertising space. They may correspond with public relations or marketing teams, including advertising managers. Like public relations specialists, advertising managers try to improve public interest in a company by creating advertising strategies to improve the company's sales. This career requires a bachelor's degree. Promotions managers, who also need bachelor's degrees, brainstorm purchasing incentives to offer to the public. These incentives might include rewards programs, free gifts and samples, coupons, and sweepstakes.