Valencia College
speciality:
Communication
What is a Communications degree?
Communications is a universal degree, which explores the traditional forms of communication such as verbal, physical, visual and written communication but also extends beyond that to cover mass communication and social media. There are different types of communications degrees depending on the degree level.
Overall, Communications focuses on teaching effective communication through social media, web, print, mass media and verbal communication. However, there are two types of Communications degrees that exist. For instance, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in the US is focused on preparing students for careers that are connected to writing, marketing, promotions, journalism and public relations. In contrast, Bachelor of Science in Communications is dedicated to the technology used in the science behind modern communication and prepares students for careers in production or sound engineering.
A Communications degree teaches students about how media and communication influences cultures, societies and people’s identities. It involves a significant amount of critical writing and research and covers different disciplines such as journalism, public relations, entertainment production, marketing, event planning and so many more disciplines, which are somehow connected to exchanging information and conveying messages. There are also different specialization options associated with this degree, including political communication, mass media, journalism, health communication, etc.
It is worth noting that a Communications degree has many intersection points with psychology, sociology, linguistics and in some cases politics.
Benefits of a Communications degree
The main benefit of a Communications degree is its universal nature. It applies to almost any subject or professional setting. For example, some of the top careers in the field of Communications include announcers, art directors, editors, broadcast and sound engineering technicians, reporters, correspondents, broadcast analysts, technical writers, writers and authors, interpreters, translators, etc. Therefore, it keeps students’ career options open and doesn’t require them to have a predetermined career path that they want to follow.
Communications degrees prepare students to make an impact from the start of their careers unlike other degrees, which require further training. This is possible thanks to the multitude of professionally accredited degrees in Communications, which develop students’ abilities based on the established standards in the field. Moreover, there are many Communications courses, which offer work placement opportunities that enable students to gain the required professional skills before they have even started their career.
Another benefit associated with Communications degrees is the fact that they develop students’ written and verbal communication skills significantly.
A major advantage of Communications over other degrees is that in most cases there are no prerequisites required to study Communications.
Communications degree structure
The duration of a Communications degree varies depending on the country and degree level. For example, Higher Education Institutions in the UK offer 3-year Bachelor’s courses. In some cases, the course may extend to four years if students are given the opportunity to spend a year abroad or in industry between the second and third year through a sandwich course. Bachelor’s degrees in Communications in the US usually take around four years to complete.
Over the duration of a Bachelor’s Communications degree, students are expected to learn and be able to apply the established communications theories by developing the technical skills required to work in a professional setting. In the first year of their studies, students learn predominantly how media and communication influences cultures, societies and people’s identities. Optional modules may introduce them to professional communication, journalism, documentary, film-making, marketing, etc. In addition to the introductory topics, this degree allows students to learn about more complex areas of communications such as interpersonal relations, brand management and linguistics at a later stage. For instance, the second and third years enable students to get a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts related to media and culture and develop practical skills in research and communications. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to take optional modules and pursue their interests in different areas related to Communications such as gender, race, youth, culture, digital media, political communication, public relations, etc.
The most common duration of a Master’s degree in Communications is between 1 and 2 years depending on the mode of study (full-time or part-time) and country.
PhD and MPhil degrees in Communications require students to dedicate anywhere between 3 and 6 years to their studies depending on the mode and country of study.
2 Student Reviews
-
Digital Media7 months ago
StudentUSThe Availability of Aid (Last sentence)Valencia college, is a community college that is available for anyone with a GPA or GED. Since there is a 100% admissions rate, it’s a great start for further pursuing higher education. If you were to pursue higher education, students may opt in for Direct Connect, a program were you may earn your AA (associates in arts) for 2 years and finish off your bachelors at on e of their 12 partnered Florida Universities, one of it being UCF (University of Central Florida). I enrolled after graduation of High school (2020) and Graduated in 2025, it took me this long to earn my AA degree because I was having an inner conflict on what Major to choose, and if I will pursue Higher education. My time at Valencia was nothing special to be honest, since 2020 was the time of COVID, all students were obligated to take online courses using either via zoom instruction or just purely online with online instruction. Maybe this was one of the reasons why I took so long to graduate. Besides that my time at Valencia was smooth. When I needed prep for my exams, Valencia will always have the time and availability for your preparations for exam or just extra tutoring. To sum my time at Valencia wasn’t special, however when you need assistance or aid; for whether its exams, extra tutoring, etc. Valencia always has the time and availability to do so.
View moreProgramme: Digital MediaDegree: Short CourseGraduation: 2025Delivery Type: BlendedCampus: Orlando, Florida -
Digital Media30 Nov, 2022 StudentUSValencia: An Affordable College Experience
Valencia College is an amazing college, it offers a more affordable college education for degree seekers. They also offer online classes too, which was extremely important for me. The structure is easy to follow, and they even allow you to take classes at your own pace if you’re not able to attend live classes all the time. They also have a helpful student portal for me so I can keep up with my checklist and needs as a student. Valencia is affordable for me but they also offer so much as well, that I really feel that I am getting the best college experience I could ever have asked for.
View moreProgramme: Digital MediaDegree: Bachelor'sGraduation: 2024Delivery Type: Online
