What Kind of Jobs Can I Get With a Master’s in Communications

The digital revolution has radically changed the way we interact with the world, from how we spend our free time to how we do business.

Still, nothing has changed more than communication, which now offers an unprecedented combination of immediacy and amplification. On the one hand, this presents enormous economic benefits. Startups, small businesses, and individual entrepreneurs can lever technology to launch marketing campaigns and build PR buzz at low costs, and businesses of all stripes have the opportunity to engage on a personalized level with clients, consumers, and other companies.

On the other hand, speed and reach aren’t categorical advantages. As we’ve seen time and time again, one bad tweet can prove catastrophic. One ill-advised text or email can wind up on the news for all the wrong reasons. In the digital era, the room for communication errors is minuscule, and the fallout risks are serious.

Job Prospects for Master’s in Communication Degree-Holders

No surprise, then, that enrollment for communication degrees is on the rise, including associate’s, bachelor’s, and even master’s degrees in communication, in which students cover subjects like crisis communication, mass media, PR strategy, and marketing communications.

Jobs in communication are increasing, too.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, over 45,000 media and communication jobs are expected through 2026, which includes everything from your local sports broadcast network to magazine writers and freelance bloggers. On the more traditional business side, advertising, promotions, and marketing management positions should grow 9 percent, and public relations managers project to expand 10 percent, or about 8,000 jobs. For professions like technical writing, which synthesizes complex information into readable formats like instruction manuals and how-to guides, jobs are forecast to reach faster-than-average 11 percent growth, thanks in part to the rapid expansion of web-based product support.

But these are just a few of the potential careers for professionals with a master’s in communication. Once you’ve earned a degree, you’ll be prepared for a number of in-demand communication jobs.

5 Common Communication Jobs that a Master’s Degree Prepares You For

Marketing Communication Manager

• Median Annual Salary: $97,180

The marketing communication manager leads all efforts to describe and promote an organization, including creating physical and digital promotion material, research and development, distribution, and overall communication strategy. About a third of communication managers have master’s degrees.

Marketing Communication Director

• Median Annual Salary: $122,420

As the senior communications official, the marketing communication director develops, implements, and oversees an organization’s communication strategy, from advertising and promotions to public relations and brand management. In addition, the role features major business responsibilties for hiring and personnel management, budgeting, and sales at the local, national, and international levels. Half of communication directors have over 15 years of experience, and roughly 40% have a master’s, including master’s degrees in communication.

Marketing Manager

• Median Annual Salary: $96,046

A top-tier marketing position, the marketing manager has several communication responsibilities, including strategy development and implementation, and leads major business initiatives to forecast demand, determine optimal pricing, and project shifts in the economy. Advertising, PR management, and event planning may feature in the job, as well, and marketing managers are in charge of all personnel decisions in the department. About 40% of marketing managers have a master’s, including master’s degrees in communication, and the most common amount of experience is 5-10 years.

Public Relations Manager

• Median Annual Salary: $100,901

Public relations managers are in charge of maintaining and enhancing an organizations’ image and brand. Again, communication is key: issuing press releases, coordinating media outreach, and monitoring trends and news in public relations. A good PR manager is always ahead of the problem, but they’re also actively building their brand – not just through marketing campaigns, but fundraising, event planning, charity, and other projects. PR managers typically have 5-10 years of experience, and a quarter have a master’s degrees.

Brand Manager

• Median Annual Salary: $101,370

Brand managers utilize a variety of communication skills and strategies to develop optimal branding strategies, including promotion and protection. In addition, brand managers apply business principles to analyze brand performance and determine brand competitiveness. A third of brand managers have 5-10 years of experience, and over half master’s degrees, including master’s in communication.

Additional Communication Jobs

• Chief Marketing Officer
• Marketing Director
• Social Media Communication Manager
• Advertising Manager
• Communications Planner
• Media Planner
• Public Relations Specialist
• Technical Writer
• Newscaster

Common Specializations for Master’s Degrees in Communication

Communications professionals can be found in nearly every industry – business, government, media, healthcare, law, marketing, education, and more – so master’s degrees in communication tend to feature similarly wide-ranging specializations and concentrations, including:

• Mass Communication
• Global Strategic Communications
• Advocacy and Social Impact
• Digital Strategies and Analytics
• Corporate Communication
• Public Diplomacy
• Public Relations
• Social Media
• Media Studies
• Journalism
• Project Management
• Health Communication
• Leadership

Earn Professional Certifications and Specialized Graduate Certificates in Communication

In addition to earning a master’s degree in communication, online certificates can help current or aspiring communication professionals develop specific technical skills. In particular, employers are looking for communication professionals that can:

• Navigate information-rich environments using current communication trends and models, e.g., data scraping, big data analysis, cross-cultural communication strategy, etc.
• Utilize best practices for online communication, including SEO, SEM, and Google Analytics and AdWords
• Leverage social media and mass media outlets to build brand identity and control crisis communication
• Analyze communication data and tools to enhance methods and strategies

Several top-tier universities offer Online Digital Marketing Certification Programs, which are typically flexible enough to pursue while maintaining your current position. Or if a master’s in communication is too broad for your needs, check out options for online master’s degrees in Public Relations or Social Media Marketing.