Mississippi Communications Degrees

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 see more online programs that are taking applications for 2024.

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) has designated two schools in the state of Mississippi for their excellent higher education programs. The University of Mississippi holds varying undergraduate degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications.

There are multiple Bachelor's degrees in Public Relations and Advertising, Communication Studies, and more through the University of Southern Mississippi. The latter institution also has a Bachelor of Science in Media and Entertainment Arts, but this program and its concentrations have not been reviewed by the ACEJMC. At this time, there are no Master's degrees offered within communication in the state of Mississippi.

Top Locations for Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in Mississippi

Jackson is Mississippi's capital city and holds the largest population, which is over 163,800 people. A popular digital media and public relations consulting company in the city is the Imaginary Company. They also utilize traditional media, but they have an emphasis in building brand image through the internet and search engine optimization, popularizing various events or making the organization's identity familiar.

Headquartered in Ridgeland, a suburb of Jackson, Mississippi Today is a relatively new digital news service that covers topics within government, economic development, and culture throughout the state of Mississippi. This nonprofit organization has been publishing news since 2014.

In addition, there are the two cities that host ACEJMC-accredited programs, Hattiesburg and Oxford. The former holds a larger population than the other, but the University of Mississippi does hold marketing opportunities of its own.

There are 15 total radio stations that are based in Hattiesburg, which totals approximately over 47,000 people, the fourth-highest in the state. Examples of companies that are offering communications jobs within Hattiesburg include Gray Television, Forrest Health, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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 Mississippi

University of Mississippi

  • B.A.J. and B.S. Integrated Marketing Communications

University of Southern Mississippi

  • Broadcast Journalism; Media Production; News-Editorial Journalism, Photojournalism, Public Relations & Advertising] B.A. Communication Studies, Journalism, Media & Entertainment Arts (Film), Public Relations & Advertising; B.S. Communication Studies; B.S. Media & Entertainment Arts (Media and Entertainment Arts Management), Media & Entertainment Arts (Sound & Recording Arts) and Media and Entertainment Arts (Video Arts)

Mississippi Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations

Editing positions in the state of Mississippi are somewhat low with over 230 employed according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of these employed are from within the Memphis metropolitan area, but the Jackson area has significant representation of editing positions. Average salary across the state is just over $50,400, which is higher than the neighboring states of Arkansas and Louisiana toward the west, but significantly lower than the state of Alabama to the east.

Advertising sales agents represent over 540 workers in the state with an annual mean wage of $33,320. This is the lowest estimate of any state based on data from the BLS. This does improve statewide for advertising managers, which typically bring in an estimated $81,000 as the annual mean wage.

Public relations specialists do have solid representation compared to many other communications fields to work in with over 1,440 represented in the state. Specifically within Jackson, there is a high concentration of positions, and that metropolitan area ranks in the top ten nationally.

American Advertising Federation – Jackson Chapter

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) has a few groups in the state of Mississippi, including the Jackson Chapter. There are monthly meetings for members and is one of the best ways to network with other professionals in the advertising industry.

Ways that the association recognizes top achievements in the workplace is through award ceremonies, including the annual American Advertising Awards, where proceeds go to help improve programs established by the AAF in Jackson. Students also receive awards, including finalist certificates to bolster resumes and a $1,000 cash prize for the overall National Best of Show.