Best Mass Communication Bachelor's Degree Online

1. Brandman University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12440	89%	60%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

2. Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7327	84%	31%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

3. Austin Peay State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8303	95%	43%	99%	No	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

4. Maryville University of Saint Louis

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$28470	83%	71%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

5. University of Memphis

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9912	85%	53%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

6. Stephen F Austin State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8844	68%	52%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

7. Washington State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11841	76%	60%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

8. Brenau University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$31084	58%	46%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

9. Webster University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$28700	57%	58%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

10. Southeastern University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$26620	48%	45%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Online Associate Degrees in Mass Communication

Online associate degrees in mass communication are typically either an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree. These programs usually require about 60 credit hours to complete, with just over half of those being from general education classes. Some programs may have specific grade point average requirements that students must meet to graduate, but these are usually just the standard GPA requirement of 2.0. Core classes in these programs may include mass media and society, introduction to mass communication, public speaking, reporting and news writing, copy editing, ethics in mass media, public relations, and introduction to video/audio production. To earn an associate degree in mass communication, students might need to complete a practicum or internship to obtain some hands-on experience in the industry. All told, these programs typically take around two years to finish.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Mass Communication

The next highest degree in mass communication is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication or Mass Communication. At this level, students must usually choose an area they want to concentrate on such as journalism, advertising, public relations, media production, or corporate communication. Graduates from these programs get both a broad overview of the mass communication field and an understanding of the specific skills that apply to the area in which they have chosen to specialize. Students in these courses take classes on topics like strategic communication, social media, media law, media ethics, media literacy, photography, videography, journalism, sports and media, advertising, and public relations. Almost all online bachelor's degrees in mass communication require a capstone project to graduate, usually in the form of real-world experience like an internship.

Online Master's Degrees in Mass Communication

Students earning their master's in mass communication have a chance to learn even more specialized skills than their undergraduate counterparts. Like undergraduates, graduate students focus on specific areas of mass communication like global communication, marketing, public relations, media research or journalism when earning either a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in the communications field. An MA degree is more common at this level. Some schools also offer Master of Business Administration degrees with a concentration in mass communication. A graduate degree provides training that can help students with career advancement to higher levels within companies or prepare them to earn a doctoral degree. Earning a master's in this field normally takes around 30 credit hours, and students often must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Completion of these programs may require writing a thesis. The amount of time it takes to earn this degree varies from one to two years on average, depending on the school.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Mass Communication

There are very few options for getting a doctoral degree in mass communication online, though prospective candidates still have a handful of universities to choose from. These programs primarily focus on scholarly research and teaching, as those who earn a Ph.D. in mass communication usually aim to become professors or industry researchers. Some, but not all, programs mandate specialization in certain parts of the industry. Degree titles at this level might be a Ph.D. in Media & Public Affairs, Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication or a Ph.D. in Mass Communication. These degrees typically require approximately 60 credit hours to complete, and they frequently end with a dissertation. Students normally take at least two or three years to earn a doctoral degree in mass communication.

Online Certificates in Mass Communication

There are exceedingly few options for certificates in mass communications, and that number dwindles even more when searching for online programs. The few that exist can be part of another program, typically at the graduate level, or independent of a traditional degree to allow students to learn new skills while still working or get to work sooner. In programs designed for working professionals, individuals can earn specific certificates in certain areas like digital content management. In those meant to get people to work faster, students focus more on learning the general skills in mass communication. These programs can take anywhere from just a few months to a couple of years to complete.

As noted above, there are numerous areas students can focus on when earning a degree in mass communication. This is especially true at the bachelor's level and master's levels, where students are required to choose a specialization or concentration area to better learn the skills needed for a particular area of this industry. Common specializations or degree tracks include:

• Digital advertising
• Journalism
• Political communication
• Public relations
• Pre-law
• Broadcasting
• Sports media
• Digital media
• Multimedia production

Students working to earn an online bachelor's degree in mass communication must complete a number of required communications courses at most schools, in addition to fulfilling general education requirements. Depending on the school and specialization, required courses may have titles like:

• Mass media and society
• Social media
• Media ethics
• Media law
• Sports media
• Digital communication
• Advertising
• Media
• Layout and design
• Photography
• Journalism
• Copy editing
• Advanced video production
• Research methods in mass media

Most degree programs in mass communication require a capstone project that involves getting experience in the industry through something like an internship. Real-world experience is extremely valued in this field.

It typically takes around four years to earn a bachelor's in mass communication through on-campus, hybrid or online programs, but that last option may be the best choice for those wanting to work at their own pace Most colleges require students to take around 120 credit hours to graduate with this degree. Traditional programs advise students to take about 15 credit hours a semester, which is usually four to six classes, but some non-traditional options allow students to take just a few classes in shorter periods of time. These options can sometimes result in students earning their degree faster. Some online degree programs also allow students to transfer other credits, enabling them to complete many of the general education requirements, which often take one or two years to finish.

Accreditation in online bachelor's degrees in mass communication can be key, though it is not always necessary to find a job. It becomes more critical when students are looking to transfer credits from one school to another, as credits earned at regionally accredited schools will transfer to other schools with that same designation. It's also important in the sense that students can only receive federal financial aid if they attend an accredited program.

Regional accreditors are approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); some of the accrediting bodies approved by the CHEA are the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Accreditation can also be earned at the program level. Perhaps the most prominent accrediting organization specifically focused on mass communication is the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). This group uses a four-step process to determine whether a program should be accredited, including evaluating the curriculum and faculty.

Individuals do not need a license to practice mass communication in America. Some fields offer general and specific certifications, while others do not offer any such commendations. For example, those who practice journalism and video production do not typically have certificate options. On the other hand, professional organizations in mass communication do have some certifications that professionals can earn to enhance their resume. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) offers an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) for professionals with five or more years experience, the American Marketing Association (AMA) gives professionals the chance to earn a digital marketing certification, and the National Institute for Social Media (NISM) offers a social media strategist certification.

With a subject as diverse as this one, graduates of these programs have a range of job options in mass communication. Professionals in the mass communication field broadly convey messages for clients, corporations, themselves or their specific audience, depending on the job. Possible job titles for those with a mass communication major include:

• Copywriter
• Editor
• Marketing coordinator
• Advertising executive production assistant
• Reporter
• Photojournalist
• Broadcaster
• Anchor
• Public relations specialist
• Communications specialist
• Content writer
• Technical writer
• Brand strategist
• Social media manager
• Event planner
• Director of production

How to Become a Social Media Manager

As its use becomes increasingly part of our everyday lives, numerous graduates are seeking to work in social media, and one of the most common ways to do that is to become a social media manager. The requirements for these positions vary, but at this point, many social media manager jobs require applicants to have degrees in mass communication fields like marketing, journalism, or communications in general. Once a prospective social media manager graduates, the next step is usually to begin getting real-world experience in digital marketing and social media at entry-level jobs. It can be important to gain experience using specific programs and tools and practicing specific skills like creating written or video content for social media. Typically, after a few years of experience, individuals are eligible for a role as a social media manager.

In that position, mass communication graduates work with individuals throughout a company to promote and further the brand of that company or its clients. That work can involve planning and executing social media campaigns, researching trends and keywords, and analyzing data showing the efficacy of your efforts. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2019, social media managers, which are grouped with advertising, promotions, and marketing managers, earn a median annual salary of $135,900. The job outlook for this position is 6 percent, which is above average.

How to Become a Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist may also have to manage or assist with operating social media accounts, but their responsibilities vary much more than a social media manager's. Responsibilities may include coordinating promotional events or interviews, responding to media or public requests, writing press releases, providing expert advice to clients about communication and image maintenance, researching public opinion, designing public relations campaigns, and evaluating the effectiveness of those efforts.

To start on the path to becoming a public relations specialist, earn a degree in a mass communication subject area like public relations, journalism, or marketing. Like with all mass communication positions, real-world experience is extremely valuable in public relations, so getting an internship as soon as possible is beneficial. It may also prove helpful to get experience in media by working for your school's newspaper or writing for a local media outlet, as this can give you an intimate knowledge of how to communicate with those who can disseminate your public relations message. The BLS reports in 2019 that the median salary for public relations specialists was $61,150, and available jobs in the field are expected to grow at an above-average rate of seven percent.

The first step in determining what financial aid you are eligible for is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form shows students the federal loans, grants or work-study programs they qualify for. Completing the FAFSA is a fairly involved process that may require a host of documents including the applicant's social security number, parents' social security numbers, driver's license number and federal tax information for you, your spouse, if you are married, and your parents, if you are a dependent student.

In addition to those monies, there are numerous scholarships available to mass communication students from specific schools, organizations and individuals. There are also scholarships available only to residents of certain states, along with some that anyone in the United States can apply for, provided they meet the other criteria. These are most commonly funded by groups in the industry, such as the Investigative Reports and Editors or National Association of Black Journalists, or companies themselves, like Hearst or Associated Press.

Professional organizations in mass communication are usually specific to the job an individual performs in the field, so there are multiple options for people to choose from. Some of these groups are national, while others are specific to a certain location like the Illinois Press Association or The Advertising Club of New York. All groups offer professional development opportunities, networking possibilities and more. Major national organizations include:

• The Public Relations Society of America - PRSA is the leading professional organization in the communications community. With over 30,000 members and more than 70 years of experience, PRSA has 110 chapters across the country. It is also represented on almost 400 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
• The Society of Professional Journalists - The SPJ is the broadest journalism organization in America, with chapters in most states. Founded in 1909, the group seeks to perpetuate a free press for its roughly 6,000 members. Crucially for journalists, it has a legal defense fund for colleagues who find themselves taken to court simply for doing their jobs.
• The International Radio & Television Society - The IRTS was founded for all those involved in electronic media, so in today's digital work it has evolved to include those who work in internet, mobile, publishing, and advertising. The goal of the group is to use the wisdom of industry veterans and current leaders to build better media leaders.

As with getting any job in this field, career advancement in mass communication frequently depends on gaining professional experience. The exact amount of experience required to advance will depend on each specific position, but it usually takes a few years to move up within an organization. Another option for advancement is earning a master's degree in the field, which could open up more opportunities at higher levels of industries related to communication. Continuing education, like taking courses in mass communication or completing a certificate, can help demonstrate advanced or specialized knowledge to employers.