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Online Communications Degrees Guide: Levels and Career Paths
Key takeaway: Online communications degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level by accredited schools nationwide, and the degree prepares graduates for roles across public relations, corporate communication, media, marketing, and journalism. Most entry-level communications roles hire with a bachelor’s degree, while a master’s typically supports management, strategy, or academic tracks. Compare accredited programs below.
An online communications degree studies how people, organizations, and media exchange information – combining theory, writing, and applied practice across public relations, digital media, journalism, and organizational communication. Accredited online programs generally deliver the same curriculum and degree titles as their campus counterparts; browse the best accredited online colleges to compare schools that offer them.
Schools Offering Communications Programs
These accredited schools offer online communications programs and are ordered by our independent BOC Score. Request information to compare programs, costs, and formats.
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Quick Answers
What do online communications programs cover?
Online communications programs study how information moves between people, organizations, and audiences. Coursework typically includes writing, media theory, public relations, interpersonal and organizational communication, and digital or social media strategy.
What online communications degree levels are common?
Common online levels include an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS), and a master’s degree. Bachelor’s programs may offer concentrations such as public relations, journalism, digital media, or organizational communication.
Do communications roles require licensure?
No. Unlike fields such as counseling or nursing, most communications careers do not require state licensure. Employers instead weigh degree level, portfolio work, internships, and demonstrated writing or media skills.
What accreditation should communications students look for?
Students should verify that the school holds institutional accreditation from a recognized accreditor – examples include the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), SACSCOC, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) – through the U.S. Department of Education database. Some communications and journalism programs also hold specialized accreditation from bodies such as the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
What is the difference between a BA and a BS in communications?
A BA typically emphasizes writing, theory, and liberal-arts coursework, while a BS may lean toward research methods, analytics, or applied media production. Both generally qualify graduates for similar entry-level roles; compare individual program requirements.
What you’ll study
Online communications programs blend theory, writing, and applied practice – core coursework commonly spans communication theory, media writing, interpersonal and organizational communication, public relations principles, and digital or social media strategy. Many programs let you focus through a concentration such as public relations, journalism, digital media, corporate communication, or strategic/organizational communication.
Curriculum details vary by school and level; compare the bachelor’s and master’s pages for a level-by-level look at typical coursework.
Careers and career framing
Communications graduates apply their skills across public relations, corporate communication, media production, marketing, nonprofit outreach, and journalism. Entry-level writing, media assistant, and coordinator roles are generally accessible with a bachelor’s; management, strategy, and director-level roles typically expect several years of experience plus, in some cases, a master’s degree.
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Manager | $146,910 |
| Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist | $78,760 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 |
| News Analyst, Reporter and Journalist | $62,200 |
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Projected job growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist | 6.7% |
| Public Relations Manager | 5.0% |
| Public Relations Specialist | 4.8% |
| News Analyst, Reporter and Journalist | -3.9% |
Career outcomes vary widely by role, industry, and location, and individual results are not guaranteed. For a broader look at how the degree translates into pay and job prospects, see Is a Communications Degree Worth It.
How to choose an online communications program
- Accreditation – confirm recognized institutional accreditation and, where relevant, specialized accreditation such as ACEJMC for journalism-focused tracks.
- Concentration fit – public relations, journalism, digital media, or organizational communication, matched to your target career.
- Portfolio and practicum opportunities – look for programs that build a portfolio of writing, media, or campaign work, since communications employers often weigh work samples heavily.
- Format and pace – compare accelerated options against standard pacing, and understand how the online format works.
- Cost – compare total program cost, including fees and the number of credits required, not just the per-credit rate; see Affordable Communications Programs.
Communications or a related field? Choose communications for a broad foundation in writing, media, and interpersonal strategy; explore business administration for a management-focused alternative or criminal justice for a different applied-social-science track.
Prefer to study close to home? Browse online communications programs by state for state salary data, licensing details, and city-level guides.
Next Steps
Wondering where it leads? See what you can do with a communications degree for the jobs and BLS salary data behind the degree. Compare programs by level or focus: