Consider a featured online communications program currently taking applications.
| School | Level | Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University | Master | Master of Arts in Strategic Communication
Program teaches you to connect creatively and strategically with audiences through targeted campaigns. |
Website |
Click to see more online programs that are taking applications for 2024.
Washington DC has two universities that have received accreditation by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) - American University and Howard University. Both schools provide multiple programs that offer a Bachelor's degree in the fields of journalism and communications.
There is a Master of Arts in Journalism and Public Affairs or Strategic Communication through American University, and there are similar undergraduate programs in these disciplines. The majority of graduate students went on to successfully complete the Strategic Communication discipline, and this is generally accomplished within one year. Universities apply to the ACEJMC by sending an invitation, and the process generally takes three to five years to complete the review and final judgement.
Top Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in Washington DC
Over 700,000 people live in Washington DC, and it provides thousands of job opportunities within communications and digital media. There are many positions available at local universities such as Georgetown University and George Washington University.
Other popular organizations in the area include the World Resources Institute, which is a nonprofit organization that promotes the betterment of human life and environmental sustainability, and the headquarters of public affairs and strategic communication firm APCO Worldwide. National Public Radio and the American Association of Retired Persons are also headquartered in Washington DC.
The District of Columbia is home to some of the highest employment in journalism and public relations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, reporters and correspondents in the area hold over 1,600 positions.
There are over 17,300 positions in public relations, which is only lower than the densely-populated states of Texas, California, and New York. Because of this, the Washington DC metropolitan area has the highest concentration of job opportunities by a significant margin across the United States.
Consider a featured online communications program currently taking applications.
| School | Level | Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of West Alabama | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts/Science Integrated Marketing Communications
Gain hands-on multimedia experience in several areas as you study web design, social media, news writing, photography, graphic and interior design, video, and event planning. |
Website |
| University of West Alabama | Master | Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications
Graduates of this program are prepared for management-level work with clients in advertising and communications settings. |
Website |
| University of Texas Permian Basin | Bachelor | Online BA in Communication
Multiple tracks: Communication Studies, Strategic Messaging, Professional Communication, Sports Media. |
Website |
| Drake University | Bachelor | BA in Journalism & Mass Communication
2 specializations in Digital Communication or Public Relations. |
Website |
| American University | Master | Master of Arts in Strategic Communication
Program teaches you to connect creatively and strategically with audiences through targeted campaigns. |
Website |
Click to for more online communications degrees that are taking applications for 2024.
Campus-based and online Communications programs in DC
American University
- B.A. Journalism; B.A. Public Relations & Strategic Communication
- M.A. Journalism & Public Affairs; M.A. Strategic Communication
Howard University
- B.A. Media, Journalism & Film; B.A. Strategic, Legal & Management Communication
Washington DC Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations
With Washington DC being the seat of government for the United States, there are many politically-focused journalism opportunities in the area. Examples of local publications include The Washington Post, The Washington Examiner, The Hill, and National Journal.
With an abundance of positions available in the field, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that this location has the highest concentration for reporters and correspondence, and the annual mean wage for these positions are over $100,550. This is the only area that has its estimation above the six-figure mark and is well above the next-highest locations of New York and California.
The White House Correspondents’ Association is a popular organization that recognizes the best in print and broadcast journalism across the country. They are most famously connected with the White House Correspondents Dinner that takes place annually.
In addition to its traditional awards, they will begin offering awards for photojournalism in 2020. The organization awards scholarships to a number of qualified students at partnered universities across the country, including Arizona State University, Iowa State University, and the University of Maryland.
Another career path that is topped by the Washington DC metropolitan area is in public relations with an annual mean wage of $102,380. In addition to government positions, there are opportunities for public relations specialists at Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton, and various institutions in the area.
For example, PEW Charitable Trusts, a nonprofit organization that is geared toward the improvement of public policy, has a position for a communications associate in their Washington DC office. They are responsible for creating press releases and newsletters, and issuing statements on research projects that are being worked on.
