Which Specialized Master’s or Communications Master’s Program Is Right for Me?

When Gabriela Acosta ’17 decided it was time to go back to school to obtain her master’s degree, she faced a dilemma many other communications professionals experience: whether to pursue an M.S. in communications with a specialization or a more traditional master’s degree.

“I went back and forth between journalism, communications and marketing programs. I even thought about seeking a documentary or production course,” recalls Acosta, who is currently developing and planning to host a podcast called The Way We Lead that centers on inclusive leadership.

Acosta decided to look for a master’s degree program that would provide a solid foundation, one that could teach proven communications principles and practices, and one that also offered specialized elements within the curriculum that apply specifically to today’s communications careers.

How do you determine which communications master’s program is right for you? Study the curriculums offered by different programs, and consider what your long-term professional goal is: Do you want to work in a large company or your own boutique PR firm? Are you interested in the entertainment field or advertising, or is a communications-related position in a hospital or a state representative’s office more appealing? Selecting an appropriate M.S. in communications or a specialized master’s degree program can help you prepare for the area that interests you most.

Beyond traditional functions in the communications field, such as graphic design, press release writing, storyboarding and television production, and technological advances have truly transformed and expanded communications professionals’ roles across many industries. Opportunities are available for those who can evolve, shift and change with technological innovations.

A master’s in communications provides advanced skills and knowledge in how to disseminate information in a compelling way through written or spoken words, printed or broadcast visuals, or via various digital platforms. These skills can be applied in jobs in communications departments within many businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and educational institutions.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, there will be an estimated 6 percent increase in communications jobs between 2016 and 2026. Knowing how to harness specific technologies can be an advantage to those pursuing a career in communications. For example, Fortune reports that information and communication fields will be among the top industries to experience economic growth as a result of the increasing use of A.I.

Students in a master’s in communications program will gain skills that can be applied broadly to their jobs, such as how to create campaigns and communication techniques and how to handle real-life business scenarios—both positive and negative ones. They may learn about the psychology of conflict, as well as theories of mediation and negotiation.

A specialization built on a solid communications curriculum can help professionals develop highly targeted skills. Communications@Syracuse, Syracuse University’s online Master’s in Communications program, includes five core courses that equip students with a strong foundation in digital communications. Core courses include multimedia storytelling, social media for public communicators, digital communications systems and media law.

An advanced degree with a specialization will provide those who are in the field—and those who want to work in communications—with a deeper knowledge of their chosen field. At Communications@Syracuse, for instance, students have the opportunity to pursue a specializations in three fields to help them better explore their interests:

So how do you determine if an M.S. in communications with a specialization is a better choice for you than a traditional M.S. in public relations, advertising, marketing or journalism? Here are some things to consider:

The professional field of public relations is focused on the strategic crafting of intentional public communication for the purpose of building mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their communities. Thanks in large part to the Internet, consumers today receive a constant flow of information from social media platforms, search engines, blogs, news outlets, e-mails and web sites. With every platform, organizations communicate their brand, making public relations an important business function.

A traditional master’s in public relations degree offers core skills that have long been necessary to effectively execute PR functions, including:

With an M.S. in communications with a public relations specialization, these core competencies are complemented with courses that focus on integrating them into the larger landscape of today’s digital media platforms. They include:

There are many rewarding careers that benefit from the knowledge obtained with a master’s degree specializing in public relations:

According to the BLS, jobs in the field of public relations are expected to increase 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, in part due to continued integration of digital media and social media into our daily lives.

Similar to a traditional journalism master’s degree, an M.S. in communications with a journalism specialization focuses on multimedia storytelling, media law and content production. Where it differs from a traditional journalism degree is in its heavy emphasis on using data and new media to create data-driven journalism.

A traditional master’s degree in journalism prepares students with:

A master’s in communications with a journalism specialization prepares students for the modern media landscape and teaches them how to critically evaluate how the news is reported. It also helps them build the skills needed to stay ahead of emerging trends and new technologies. Areas of study may include:

Both seasoned journalists and those who are interested in breaking into the industry can benefit from a master’s degree. Jobs include:

According to the BLS, most reporters, correspondents and broadcast news analysts work full time, and additional hours or changes in schedules in order to follow breaking news or provide needed commentary are common. Jobs in the field are competitive, and opportunities are expected to decline through 2026. 

Advertising is a competitive field, which is why many professionals consider an advanced degree to enhance their careers. A master’s degree allows students to explore the approaches and practices essential to creating successful advertising campaigns. A traditional advertising master’s degree program typically places a heavier emphasis on understanding the role of advertising and branding in society from a historical and theoretical perspective. An M.S. degree in advertising focuses on:

An M.S. in communications with an advertising specialization also includes study in these areas, and incorporates additional digital components into the curriculum. They include:

There are many career paths and specialties within the field of advertising that benefit from a master’s degree:

Organizations need communications professionals who can craft and manage a brand that matters to their targeted audiences, which may in part explain why the BLS projects employment for advertising and marketing managers will grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026.

While advertising technically is a specific type of marketing, a master’s degree in marketing is an option that can provide more wide-ranging skills, such as customer service and relationship management.

According to the U.S. News & World Report guide to online master’s degrees, an M.S. in marketing can benefit those in advertising, PR, sports marketing, digital media, and market analytics and research.

Some jobs that this type of advanced degree complements:

As the field of marketing has become more reliant on the Internet, the demand for marketing professionals with e-commerce and digital training is growing. With a master’s degree, professionals may expect to earn $25,000 to $30,000 more than those with only an undergraduate degree, according to U.S. News & World Report. And according to the BLS, marketing manager jobs are projected to grow by 10 percent from 2016 through 2026.

Acosta can attest to the benefits of earning an online M.S. in communications.

“The Communications@Syracuse program was incredibly practical, providing a ton of updated skills,” she says.

Communications@Syracuse, Syracuse University’s online master’s in communications.