As STEM degrees and more technical majors grow in popularity, there is a corresponding need to bolster the modern workforce with employees who possess “soft skills,” such as communication. Unlike “hard skills,” which emphasize technical know-how and experience, communications is the study of the many ways in which people exchange ideas, opinions and desires. 

Studying the arts, science and business of communications is valuable because of its flexibility and the diversity of disciplines it covers, rather than focusing on a single set of skills. Communications majors study everything from language to advertising to journalism and public relations, and they learn to synthesize complex ideas into clear, concise and compelling calls to action or explanations. Here are some key facts about communications degrees and why they’re popular: 

Communications is in High Demand 

The wide range of potential industry and career applications for a communications degree is fueling a growing demand for new communications specialists. The communications jobs are estimated to grow in the coming decade, which is nearly double the average job growth.  This above-average job growth and demand reflects the importance of the communications skill and the many needs it can fill in various industries.  

"A communications degree opens doors to many career paths, and students can choose concentrations that align with their interests."

Common Communications Degree Courses 

When you pursue a degree or concentration in communications, common courses of study include “introduction to communications” or “fundamentals of speech” because they teach basic principles you’ll build upon in advanced classes.  

These courses prepare you for careers in marketing, public relations, human resources and more elements of business. Acquiring communication skills from this degree program also provides a good pathway to other fields such as health, criminal justice, fire administration or forensics. 

Examples of Communications Courses: 

• Communication Skills for Leaders 
• Fundamentals of Speech Communication 
• Introduction to Communication 
• Negotiation/Conflict Resolution 
• Organizational Communication 
• Professional Communication 
• Research Methods 
• Technical Writing 

Careers and Concentrations for a Communications Major 

A communications degree opens doors to many career paths, and students can choose concentrations that align with their interests. Some of the most common areas of focus include: 

Media, Marketing, and Public Relations 

These are some of the most common applications for communications, as they involve the communication of news and information via television, radio, print media, press releases, social media and other digital formats like blogging.

Courses in a communications concentration cover the fundamentals of journalism and journalistic ethics, as well as invaluable writing and editing skills which allow you to convey ideas clearly and concisely that can be understood by a large readership. You’ll also learn some of the other key forms of communication outside of the written form, learning public speaking skills, broadcasting on both television and via streaming platforms, as well as visual storytelling.  

If you find yourself drawn to these disciplines, you could use them to work as a public relations specialist in the public or private sector, as a journalist or communications manager who helps source, write, and publish stories, or a marketer who helps promote brands and products. 

Human Relations, Internal Communications and Conflict Resolution 

Courses on conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, and applying communications skills to the human relations field will focus on person-to-person and communications with groups and organizations. These courses will teach you how to analyze and interpret communication between two people in an interpersonal setting, a negotiation, or some form of conflict, allowing you to act as a mediator, advisor or third-party arbitrator.  

You’ll also learn how to communicate internally at an organization, sharing good or bad news with stakeholders, drafting verbal and written statements to change behavior, and ensuring that your message is easily understood and acted upon. Additionally, these courses cover forms of nonverbal communication, including body language, tone and other physical and cultural characteristics which can alter the way information is received and understood.  

A focus on these disciplines can be applied to human resources, particularly in the drafting and sharing of internal communications, as well as conflict resolution and negotiation. These skills also apply to careers that depend on customer service, such as hospitality, and empathy and understanding, such as talk therapy.  

Technical Communications Skills  

As technology grows in all industries, there is a need for communications professionals who can translate complex technical information into understandable documentation. Organizations have either adopted third party technology or, in the case of larger organizations, built proprietary software to suit their needs and increase efficiency. Nearly every industry has a growing digital footprint, and new technologies require a high number of communications experts to learn about them and apply business information technology skills.  

Technical communications studies will give you the ability to plan, research, write and distribute easily usable documentation that simplifies the use of complex technology. You’ll also learn how to communicate and learn from technical stakeholders, such as developers, engineers and product designers, to better understand the ‘why’ of each product feature or change.  

Focusing on technical writing will set you up to work in a wide range of industries, as you’ll have the skills to understand and write about their new products and services for both internal communications as well as external marketing. Technical writing opens doors to careers across various industries where the ability to simplify complex information is crucial. 

Develop Essential Communications Skills at Columbia Southern University 

Columbia Southern University’s communications program offers you both a wide-ranging perspective on the many applications of this invaluable skill, as well as the ability to specialize in a discipline that you feel especially motivated to study. Our courses are online, with highly flexible scheduling, allowing you to obtain a communications degree at a pace that works with your life. If you’d like to know more about our school, take a look at our degree list.