If you’re seeking a versatile graduate degree that will arm you with skills you can apply to a number of different industries, a Master of Arts in Communication is an excellent option.
The communications field has always been vast, covering everything from face-to-face, nonverbal and written communication to communication across mass media outlets, such as radio or television broadcasting. But the internet has catapulted the once-budding realm of digital communication to new heights. This has allowed organizations of all kinds to expand their reach and place more importance on specialized fields like intercultural, intergenerational, and multimedia communication.
The ever-evolving communications field is changing the way the world works. If you’re interested in an advanced degree that can enable you to apply communication theory to contemporary social and organizational issues while also exploring the ethical and legal aspects of communication across all media, a Master of Arts in Communication could be the perfect path for you.
But as you consider the dive into a new graduate program, you’re likely wondering, “What can I do with a Master’s in Communication?” Here's a closer look at six potential career options.
6 Career options for those with a Master’s Degree in Communication
We used real-time job analysis software to examine more than 19,000 job postings from the last year that sought candidates with a master’s degree in communication.1 We also consulted data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics to learn more about the projected growth and average earnings of each position.2
When it comes to salary figures, it’s important to keep in mind that earnings will vary depending on the location in which you choose to work. For the purposes of this article, we’ve pulled the mean annual salaries for professionals in our home state of Kentucky. Read on to learn about six potential paths you could pursue with this advanced degree.
Marketing Manager
Mean annual salary in Kentucky: $120,430
Projected growth through 2026: 10%
Do you already have experience on a marketing team as a graphic designer, copywriter, digital marketing specialist or project manager? You could couple that experience with the skills you’ll gain from a graduate communication program to oversee marketing campaigns from start to finish as a marketing manager.
The primary goal of marketing managers is to craft plans that will help generate interest in their organization’s products or services. These professionals have a hand in every step of a marketing campaign, from the conception of an idea and the analysis of its audience, to the execution of its copy and design — and even the planning of the project’s budget and promotional plan.
To thrive as a marketing manager, you’ll need a strong understanding of both interpersonal and public communication. Depending on the company you choose, you can expect to work with both digital and print formats. And while you will likely be more on the management side of things, your skills in reading an audience and creating a message will be put to good use.
Human Resources Manager
Mean annual salary in Kentucky: $105,560
Projected growth through 2026: 9%
Communication isn't just important when organizations interact with the public – there’s an entire realm of internal communication that can have a sizable impact for companies across industries. Human resources (HR) managers are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the administrative functions of an organization.
This can include everything from recruiting, interviewing and hiring new staff to consulting with the executive leadership team on strategic planning and company policies. Serving as a link between an organization’s management and its employees, HR managers must have polished interpersonal and communication skills.
HR managers will draft companywide communications, plan and facilitate corporate training workshops, provide employees with an overview of company policies and benefits packages, navigate sensitive one-on-one conversations, and even use their public speaking skills when presenting to the leadership team and entire departments or addressing the company as a whole.
Market Research Analyst
Mean annual salary in Kentucky: $58,910
Projected growth through 2026: 22%
If your interests gravitate more toward statistics, math or computer science, an MA in Communication could help propel you to a role as a market research analyst. In this position, you’d be responsible for studying market conditions and consumer behavior to examine potential sales of a product or service.
Market research analysts use a variety of different methods to collect data, including interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, and literature reviews. The data gathered can then be packaged into recommendations that organizations can reference when determining how to position themselves in the marketplace.
Market research analysts work to predict future trends and identify potential markets, often using charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual forms of communication to present their findings to organizational leaders. This career is ideal for those who wish to combine technology and communication.
Health Educator
Mean annual salary in Kentucky: $57,880
Projected growth through 2026: 17%
If you’re drawn to the idea of working in health care – or if you’ve already spent some time in the industry – you could use what you learn in a graduate communication program to take your career to new heights. As a health educator, you’d have the opportunity to use different communication styles and tactics to inform people about behaviors that promote overall wellness.
These professionals assess the health needs of the communities they serve, using that information to develop programs, materials, and events that can teach people about various health topics. Health educators may also craft materials or host events that teach community members how to manage existing health conditions.
As a health educator, you could find employment in healthcare facilities, colleges, public health departments, nonprofits, or private businesses. If you’re drawn to the idea of dedicating your career to this field, you may consider seeking out an MA in Communication program that offers a healthcare concentration.
Public Relations Specialist
Mean annual salary in Kentucky: $65,060
Projected growth through 2026: 11%
Do you have a knack for presenting things in a way that seems to draw people in? It may seem like good products or organizations can speak for themselves, but a company or campaign — even with the best intentions — can flop without a good public relations (PR) specialist. It takes a certain skillset to help people connect with the right audience in the right way and at the right time.
As a public relations specialist, you’d be tasked with creating and maintaining a favorable public image for the client or organization you represent. This can include everything from writing press releases and communicating with media outlets to drafting speeches and helping clients communicate effectively with the public. PR specialists may also coordinate a team of administrators, marketers, and financial representatives to communicate the right image and brand to their audience.
Fundraising Manager
Mean annual salary in Kentucky: $103,580
Projected growth through 2026: 13%
If you have a gift for connecting with people by tapping into the things they’re passionate about, you could excel as a fundraising manager. These professionals plan and facilitate campaigns and events intended to bring in donations for their organization. The entities that typically employ fundraising managers often rely heavily on donations to run their operations, which is why this role can be particularly important.
Expert communication skills are crucial in a fundraising management position, as these people are often tasked with planning large public events, meeting face-to-face with highly important donors and crafting effective grant applications, newsletters, and annual reports. Social media has also created a new avenue through which fundraising managers can connect with potential donors by spreading their organization’s message online.
Take your career to the next level with an MA in Communication
Communication is a skill needed in any profession, but the knowledge you’d gain from enrolling in a Master of Arts in Communication program could serve you particularly well in the six career paths outlined above. You could use your graduate education not only to enrich your own life but also enrich the lives of those around you.
Curious to learn more? Visit Bellarmine University’s Master of Arts in Communication program page to start your journey toward a new career today.
1Burning-Glass.com (Analysis of 19,563 job postings that sought candidates with a master’s degree in communication, July 01, 2018 – June 30, 2019).
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [data accessed October 2021].