What You Need to Know to Become a Communication and Media Studies Major | Best colleges

A communications major examines how people communicate in an increasingly digitized and connected society. Communication and media studies is an umbrella term for interdisciplinary courses that combine mass communication skills with social sciences and humanities. Students interested in news dissemination, news reporting, storytelling, or analyzing media culture should consider a communications major.

Communication and media studies lay the foundation for crafting messages, understanding audiences, using new technologies, and learning key communication theories. This major often examines the relationship of communications to culture and society. Students may be required to learn about communications ethics, policy, and law, as well as media history and the digital landscape. The major is as diverse as the students and faculty who craft and deliver these messages, so courses and requirements vary from school to school. A communications major allows students to design a course load around their interests and career aspirations.

Common courses for a major in communication and media studies begin with basic instruction: introduction to media and communication, writing for communication, and research methods for communication. Introductory research courses can cover techniques in qualitative or quantitative social research methods, which are important skills to possess for courses related to major and potential careers. More specific courses include: New Media and Society; children and the media; communication ethics; media policy; race issues in the media; peace communication; media censorship; entertainment media psychology; and international communication. Upper classes typically take individual study courses that culminate in original research for a thesis or a creative capstone project. Examples of capstone projects include magazine articles, public relations materials, films, or other creative work that can be used for job applications or graduate school submissions. Plus, internships are the best way to gain valuable experience, work samples, and connections before you graduate.

Due to the broad scope of a communications major, students may decide, after a few introductory courses, to specialize in a specific area. Basic communication courses can count towards general education credit for those who are reluctant to claim a major. This major is suitable for those who consider themselves media literate and wish to study how media shapes everyday life. A passion for communication, strong writing skills, and interpersonal skills are all necessary to succeed in this field. A general interest in current affairs, storytelling, film, photography, writing, or digital media is helpful for students in this major. Job prospects can vary widely for communication majors. Degree concentrations, internships, scholarships, and advanced degrees will likely be options for students on their way to this degree and beyond.

Thanks to most industries needing communications professionals on their teams, communications and media studies majors have the freedom to pursue many career paths. Common areas for a communications major include advertising, marketing, public relations, television, journalism, social media, graphic design, sales, event planning, and translation. A master’s degree in communications may be required for managerial and executive positions in some companies, and is required for academic and teaching positions. With the changing digital landscape, communications professionals must be able to adapt to new technologies and platforms to stay competitive.

Check out some schools that offer communications majors below and find the full list of schools here that you can filter and sort.