Consider a featured online communications program currently taking applications.
| School | Level | Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake University | Bachelor | BA in Journalism & Mass Communication
2 specializations in Digital Communication or Public Relations. |
Website |
| Drake University | Master | Master of Arts in Communication
Develop specialized expertise that enables you to motivate target audiences to act, oversee multimedia initiatives, or lead public policy communications. |
Website |
Click to see more online programs that are taking applications for 2024.
Three universities hold accreditation in the state of Iowa from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). All three institutions have a discipline directly within Journalism and Mass Communication, with Iowa State University in Ames providing different options in Advertising and Public Relations. There are no Master's degrees available in digital media and communications in the state of Iowa that has the ACEJMC designation.
In order to get accreditation from this organization, universities must self-review and apply themselves voluntarily. Some of the mandatory requirements in the evaluation process include having a defined mission that identifies needs in the field, the curriculum continues to be updated with half of the credit hours reserved for direct professional skills, and they must publish statistics administered in enrollment and graduation.
Top Locations for Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in Iowa
The state capital of Iowa, Des Moines, holds the largest population and is home to Drake University. Companies that have plenty of opportunities within the field of communications includes convenience store chains Casey's General Stores and Kum and Go, regional grocery store Hy-Vee, and one of the largest financial institutions in the country, Wells Fargo.
The other universities are also located in cities that have positions available, such as Iowa City (University of Iowa) and Ames (Iowa State University). Other locations where students have plenty of related job opportunities is Cedar Rapids and Davenport.
Media Organizations in Iowa
There are a lot of media opportunities in the Des Moines area as well with a daily newspaper, The Des Moines Register, and numerous weekly newspapers in the area, such as Cityview, Dallas County News, and the Des Moines Business Record. This location has affiliation with all national broadcast companies represented (ABC, CBS, Fox, etc.) and there are over 70 radio stations based out of the metropolitan area.
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 Iowa
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
- B.A. Advertising; B.S. Journalism & Mass Communication; B.S. Public Relations
Iowa Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations
Over 2,470 positions represent marketing managers in the workforce across the state of Iowa, which is more than the average amount across the country. This high-level position has a median annual pay of $98,190 across the state.
There is a very high concentration of advertising managers within the Des Moines metropolitan area, and this is the same for public relation specialists in Ames. For the latter career, only the metropolitan areas of Washington DC, Olympia in Washington, and East Lansing in Michigan have denser concentration.
There are many opportunities within broadcasting in the state of Iowa with companies such as Gray Television and KWWL Television in the eastern portion, and Woodword Communications and KCCI-TV in Des Moines. Frequent career positions that are available include newscast producers, news anchors, multimedia journalists, and digital content producers. The annual mean wage for multimedia producers in the state is approximately $46,610 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and editing positions are higher at $51,480.
Iowa Broadcasters Association
The Iowa Broadcasters Association focuses on the promotion and protection of the state’s radio and television stations, and has been around since 1951 with over 200 members represented. They have a partnership with the University of Northern Iowa with the Digital Media Leadership Program that helps prepare students for the latest innovations in media producing and marketing.
The association provides legal representation at the state and national level and offers broadcasters to post job opportunities. They also recognize excellence in the field with the Broadcaster of the Year award.
