A broadcasting-digital communications degree incorporates courses in news writing, television and radio production, media law and broadcast journalism, while also offering field experience and internships. This training can prepare graduates for a career as a reporter and correspondent, a broadcast news analyst, or a radio and television announcer.
Essential Information
Degree programs in broadcasting or digital communication prepare enrollees to report, produce and deliver news. Students learn to gather information and broadcast it in television, radio or digital formats.
| Career Titles | Reporters and Correspondents | Broadcast News Analysts | Radio and Television Announcers |
| Education Requirements | A bachelor's degree in journalism or communications | A bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism or related field | A bachelor's degree in journalism, broadcasting, or communications |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | Decline of 11% | Decline of 11% | Decline of 5% |
| Median Annual Salary (May 2020)* | $49,300 | $49,300 | $36,770 |
Source: *United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Options
With a degree in broadcasting or digital communication, you could work as a broadcast technician, news reporter or recording engineer, among various related occupations. You could also pursue a career as a radio or television announcer.
Career Overview
Broadcasting can refer to any number of professions related to radio, television and cable broadcasting. News analysts, anchors and reporters are all news-related broadcasting professions, while more technical careers can be found as camera operators, broadcasting technicians, editors and engineers. Related jobs in advertising, production, photography and management are also available. Digital communication is similar in nature, focusing specifically on broadcasting media and digital means of providing content.
Education
Education requirements for a career in broadcasting depend on the specific job; in general, aspiring broadcasters should earn at least a bachelor's degree. Many schools offer degree programs in broadcasting, or broadcasting emphases within communications programs. Reporters, for example, would likely earn their degree in journalism, while technicians might engage in an engineering degree program or pursue a degree from a vocational college. Digital communication is also offered as a major at some schools; related majors may include basic communications or electronic media.
Typical undergraduate coursework for a broadcasting major includes subjects such as news writing, television and radio production, media law and broadcast journalism. Technical lab courses, field experience and internships are a vital part of these programs, particularly since many broadcasting professions require some prior experience. Digital communications majors participate in coursework that may include digital video production, media design, computer animation and cinematography.
Job Outlook and Salary Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reporters, correspondents and broadcast news analysts as a whole could expect jobs to decline 11% from 2019-2029. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $49,300 for reporters, correspondents and news analysts as of May 2020.
As a whole, radio and television announcers made a median annual salary of $36,770 as of May 2020. This field as a whole was expected to see a decline of 5% from 2019-2029, per the BLS.
The field of broadcasting-digital communications is experiencing job decline in many traditional roles. Other career options for those with a degree in this field include working as a camera operator, editor or engineer.
