See Your Future Online: Media & Visual Communications Degrees
Visual media is everywhere. From the commercials you watch on TV to the Web sites you visit to the signs hanging over every shop, products and businesses are best presented visually. An online media and visual communications degree program gives you the training to meet the visual demands of the communications industry.
Online Media Communications Degree Coursework
Your specific course of study will vary by the program you choose, but coursework in online media and visual communications degrees typically combines technical details and theory of communication. Coursework may also involve:
- Design software programs (InDesign, Photoshop)
- Typography
- Graphic design
- Web design
The goal of an online visual communications or media degree is to add a technical level of knowledge to your ability and interests. Media and communications degrees can include a broad base of knowledge or a high level of technical specificity; your path depends on how you want to use your training.
Applications of Communications & Media Degrees
Looking for career training that doesn't force you down a single path? Media and visual communications degrees have a wide range of applications. Here are just a few industries with a need for trained workers in the field:
- Graphic design
- Advertising and public relations
- Marketing
- Visual art
- Desktop publishing
Start with a general communications degree, and later focus in on one facet of the trade. Alternately, enjoy the lowest time commitment by jumping right into a specialized major or degree program.
Bright Career Prospects in Media & Visual Communications
Job prospects vary depending on your chosen field, but growth is expected across the board for media and visual communications careers. Between 2006 and 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that 26,000 new careers will enter the field for graphic designers.
During that same time period, 300 desktop publishers will enter their field, and 24,000 marketing managers. Forty percent more multimedia artists and animators are projected to enter the advertising and public relations field. While no degree can guarantee one of these new jobs, the training you'll receive in a communications degree program has the potential for a far-reaching application.
Salaries in Media and Visual Communication
Strong salaries are expected for careers in the communications industry. Check out a few sample salaries for workers in the media and visual communication industry. Figures are mean annual wages from 2008 by the BLS:
- Graphic designers: $46,750
- Multimedia artist/animators: $62,380
- Desktop publishers: $38,740
- Public relations specialists: $58,960
Pursue Your Media and Visual Communication Degree Online
Unlike a traditional degree program, attending school online means self-directing your study. For adults with busy schedules, online education offers a less stressful environment for career training. If you're able to set your own schedule and commit to your degree or certificate program, online training could fit right into your schedule.
