Arkansas Communications Degrees

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

There are two institutions that provide higher education in digital media and communications and have been accredited by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). Having this designation means that the related programs have been reviewed by an established group and the curriculum and faculty members provide some of the best education in the field. For example, programs in journalism and mass communication, which both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University offer, will give students the necessary tools to inform the public on important issues and to champion the freedom of speech.

Top Locations for Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in Arkansas

Both universities that offer ACEJMC-accredited programs are located in the top five highest-populated cities in the state of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville offers a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, while Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, one of the largest cities in the Northeastern portion of the state, offers a Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Journalism.

There are no Master's degrees in mass communication or digital media within the state. Marketing managers tend to hold many positions in this area with over 1,000 employed in the field.

The most opportunity for reporters and editors in the state of Arkansas exists in the capital and most populated city, Little Rock. There are hundreds of workers employed in reporting and editing positions.

Popular organizations that typically offer jobs in digital media at this location is Merkle Inc., a data-driven marketing agency that works with numerous top corporations to improve their customer experience and what values to focus on in order to gain trust and loyalty. Typical positions available include e-mail developer and account coordinators.

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

Campus-based and online Communications programs in Arkansas

Arkansas Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations

Advertising and marketing positions are the highest-paid field within communications according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for marketing managers sits at around $140,000 annually, which is boosted by the Fayetteville metropolitan area.

Much of this is due to the area having many opportunities at popular corporations like Walmart and Tyson Foods, which are headquartered in Bentonville and Springdale, respectively. There are also numerous positions at Sonic Corporation, most popular for the Sonic fast food chain, which are in proximity to the headquarters in Oklahoma.

Annual salaries for journalism and editing in Arkansas are lower than average, with editors getting around the $44,800 median figures across the state. This is significantly lower than neighboring states of Texas and Tennessee, but on par with others like Mississippi and Louisiana.

Public relations specialists see a higher mark with over $50,600 as the median figure across the state. An example job in this field is the PR manager for the City of Fort Smith, which coordinates social media and press releases for the city in order to keep the public informed on the latest news and any emergency situations.

American Advertising Federation – Northeastern Arkansas

The American Advertising Federation has a Northeastern Arkansas chapter that provides educational resources for students, networking opportunities, and advertising-related events. The Arkansas Press Association is connected to publications such as The Arkansas Publisher, The Jobs Bulletin, and AdNews.

One of their subsidiaries, Arkansas Press Services, offer advertising services for campaigns, ad agencies, or small businesses. The APA Convention is held annually during the summer and also host various workshops to help build skills within journalism and advertising.