Communications Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Communications major studies how people create, share and interpret messages in person and through media. Communications majors study interpersonal, organizational, mass and digital communication, public speaking, writing and media.

A Communications major includes coursework in public speaking, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, media and society, and writing for media and more. You build skills such as writing, public speaking, media production, and audience analysis. Typical degrees: associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.

Typical courses include public speaking, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, media and society, writing for media, and communication research. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Communications is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Associate, bachelor's and master's degrees. In the latest federal data, 118 colleges reported certificate awards, 249 colleges reported associate awards, 996 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 254 colleges reported master’s awards, and 75 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to communications include public relations specialist, technical writer, editor, writer, marketing manager, fundraiser, corporate trainer, and broadcast announcer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include public relations specialist (typical training: 4 years), technical writer (typical training: 4 years or technical background plus writing training), editor (typical training: Writing experience plus on-the-job learning), writer (typical training: Years of practice), marketing manager (typical training: 4 years plus 5+ years of experience), and fundraiser (typical training: 4 years).

Communications majors build skills such as writing, public speaking, media production, audience analysis, and collaboration.

Good pairings include Marketing (applies communication skills to business growth), Digital Media (adds video, audio and social media production), and Business (opens corporate communication roles).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as public relations specialist, technical writer, and editor, and enjoy subjects like public speaking and interpersonal communication. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes public speaking, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

1,264 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (172), New York (86), Pennsylvania (74), Texas (74), and Ohio (49), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

1,103 of the colleges that offer communications also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Communications studies how people create, share and interpret messages in person and through media. Journalism teaches you to report, write and produce news across print, broadcast and digital media. Communications leads to careers such as public relations specialist and technical writer, while Journalism leads to careers such as journalist and editor.

Communications studies how people create, share and interpret messages in person and through media. Public Relations and Advertising studies how organizations build their reputation and persuade audiences. Communications leads to careers such as public relations specialist and technical writer, while Public Relations and Advertising leads to careers such as public relations specialist and public relations manager.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to communications, such as Public Relations Specialist Training.