Arizona Communications Degrees

Click to see more online programs that are taking applications for 2024.

The two most popular institutions in the state of Arizona, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, offer undergraduate and graduate degrees within communication that is accredited by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). The University of Arizona only provides a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, but this program can be customized toward specializations such as Digital Journalism and Broadcast Journalism.

Arizona State University provides a variety of Bachelor's and Master's degrees within Journalism, Sports Journalism, and Mass Communication. The school also provides a specialized Master's degree in Investigative Journalism, but this has not been evaluated by the ACEJMC at this time.

Top Locations for Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in Arizona

Phoenix and Tucson are cities that host the journalism schools of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, respectively. Phoenix is the capital and largest city of the state, which offers hundreds of opportunities within digital media and communications. Some of the most popular businesses that offer digital media jobs in the city of Phoenix include IBM, American Express, and Hearst Television.

There is also a number of media publications to work for in the area, including Arizona Republic, Phoenix Business Journal, and Phoenix New Times. Both of the universities also provide numerous positions as multimedia and marketing specialists.

Marketing managers see some of the highest employment within the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area with over 5,000 workers according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other popular locations throughout the state for communication jobs include Scottsdale, Tempe, and Tucson.

The college town of Tucson provides many opportunities, including many positions at the computer technology company, Oracle. Job positions include digital marketing managers and marketing communication specialists.

Click to for more online communications degrees that are taking applications for 2024.

Campus-based and online Communications programs in Arizona

Arizona Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations

Arizona has some of the highest-paying opportunities for reporters and correspondents when compared to the rest of the United States. They have the fourth-highest annual mean wage according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, sitting at around $61,400.

Most of that is coming in from the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area, which is the 12th-highest television market in the country. They provide numerous opportunities for those that are looking at marketing, creating digital content, or entering public relations.

Sports journalism is a specialized degree that can be earned at the graduate or undergraduate level at Arizona State University. Students have the ability to cover popular events to gain experience at any level, such as NCAA tournaments and the NFL Super Bowl, that take place within the area.

There has been placement at top sports media organizations like ESPN, FOX Sports, and Sports Illustrated. Specific teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Los Angeles Kings also hire those holding communications degrees.

Arizona Broadcasters Association

The Arizona Broadcasters Association has over 200 members, the majority being radio stations, which has a goal of keeping state residents informed. They also build local media and help it transition digitally for creating better access.

They offer enhancement in networking among professionals in the broadcasting industry. They also host various webinars that dive into specialized topics, such as exploring social media and how broadcasters can build an audience while ensuring that all legal issues are in check.