Associate Degrees in Communications

An Associate of Arts (AA) in Communications helps prepare students to enter the fields of:
  • advertising
  • broadcast or print journalism
  • film
  • graphic design
  • music production
  • public relations
  • radio
  • television.
You can earn an associate degree in communications at many local community colleges or study at your convenience online. While earning your communications degree online can save you time and money, keep in mind that some lab courses are "hands on" and teach skills that are best learned on-site.
 

Time and Tuition

Most Associate programs in Communications require about 60 credit hours of coursework. This usually takes about two years to complete if you carry a full, matriculated schedule.
 
Tuition for a degree in communications at the associate level ranges from about $100 to $300 per credit, depending on the school.

Coursework

An Associate of Arts in Communications involves a combination of classroom and lab courses. These programs teach skills in electronic media use as well as critical thinking, communication and research. Typical classes required in an associate communications degree program include:
  • Business and Professional Speaking
  • Communication Across Cultures
  • Communications and Technology
  • Desktop Publishing
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Newspaper
  • News Photography
  • Radio/Television Performance
  • Writing for Mass Media.

Electives and core courses are also important in an associate degree program. These classes broaden the student's perspective and round out the education. Some of these areas of study are:

  • art
  • behavioral science
  • computer science
  • English
  • general science
  • history
  • humanities
  • math.

Depending on the school or program you choose, you may be able to further specialize your communications degree by choosing a focus or concentration. Some of the most common concentrations include:

  • mass communications degrees
  • organizational communications degrees
  • public relations communications degrees
  • visual communications degrees.

Communication Degree Jobs

While the idea of a communications degree may appeal to you, you may still be wondering, "What can you do with a communications degree?"
 
Demand for graduates with an associate in communications is expected to remain constant as the industry grows at an average rate. The fastest rate of growth is expected in careers involving the Internet and other new communication media. A few of the many possible jobs available to those who have earned an associate degree in communications include:
  • advertising/sales personnel
  • graphic designers
  • photographers
  • Web designers.
Good salaries are available for qualified applicants with Associate degrees in communications. On average, salaries range from about $30,000 to $80,000, depending on the position held.
 
Resources
 
County College of Morris (n.d.). Communications. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from the County College of Morris Web site: http://www.ccm.edu/progdegree.asp?currcode=1129.
 
DegreeDirectory.org (2008). Associate Degree in Communication Arts: Online Degree. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from the Degree Directory Web site: http://degreedirectory.org/articles/
Associate_Degree_in_Communication_Arts:_Online_Degree.html.
 
Education-Portal.com (2008). Communication Associate's Degree Programs. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from the Education Portal Web site: http://education-portal.com/communication_associate's_degree_programs.html.
 
The University of New Mexico (n.d.). Associate of Arts in Communication and Journalism. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from the University of New Mexico Web site: http://taos.unm.edu/academics/plaAaCJ.php.