What Can You Do with an Online Communication Degree?
What’s one skill that you can add to your professional toolkit that will help you throughout your career, in almost any job or industry? According to years of reports published by several national organizations, the answer is communication.
Often considered a “soft skill,” clear and effective verbal and written communication is essential for career success. But it’s also a skill that is often underdeveloped in job candidates. As a result, business communication skills can help set you apart—both during the job search and throughout your career.
If you want to present your ideas more clearly, bring people together, and work more effectively with colleagues, earning an online degree in communication is a great option to explore.
What do communication students study?
Bachelor degrees in communication cover a wide range of topics. In addition to B.S. or B.A. department requirements, students may choose from classes such as:
- Interpersonal Communication
- Nonverbal Communication
- Communication Theory
- Human Communication
- Intercultural Communication
- Strategic Communication Writing
- Public Speaking
- Research Methods
- Public and Media Relations
- Media & Technology
What jobs can you get with an online communication degree?
The truth is, being a clear communicator can give you a step up no matter what career you’re seeking—across private, government, and non-profit sectors. However, there are also specific jobs that are especially suited to communication majors. These can include:
- Public Relations Specialists
- Corporate Communication
- Training & Development
- Media Production & Publishing
- Broadcast Journalism
- Human Relations/Resources
- Sales, Advertising & Marketing
What graduate programs can you enter with a communication degree?
A communications degree is a natural stepping stone to a master’s degree in communication, of course. But there are other options, too. Look into a master’s degree in English with a technical writing concentration or a doctorate in English. Or check out Instructional Design and Technology, which can be completed as either a master’s or doctorate degree, and is in demand in every industry that relies on training, education, or continuing education.
How to combine communication and other studies to craft an area of specialization
A communication degree can complement many career areas and, as such, is a flexible tool for creating your own unique area of specialization to help you stand out in the job market. For instance, it may seem obvious how a communication degree would pair with careers in marketing, public relations, human resources, or copywriting. But just think of how you could differentiate yourself in the fields of business, engineering, computer science, or healthcare with extra training in communication.
Online degree programs in communication at ODU
At ODUGlobal, we offer both bachelor and master's online communication programs. We feature small online class sizes and award-winning faculty with a wide range of experience.
With the undergraduate option, you will earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in communication. You will complete a set of core communication courses plus additional courses in an area of concentration. Your choice of the BS or BA degree will also determine some of your course selections. As part of your bachelor degree, you can choose from communication majors in:
- Communication Studies: Relating Across the Lifespan
- Media Studies
- Strategic Communication
- Professional Communication (available in Bachelor of Science only)
On the graduate side, ODU’s online master's program in Lifespan & Digital Communication is one of the few in the U.S. to focus on communication throughout human lifespan. It's also the only online MA program in the U.S. that combines relational communication and digital media. You also can focus your studies in one of these three areas:
- Strategic Communication
- Media Studies
- Relationships, Health, and Wellness
Ready to gain communications skills that can take your career to the next level? Contact us for more information.