Consider a featured online communications program currently taking applications.
| School | Level | Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Johns Hopkins University AAP | Master | MA in Communication
Gain practical and applied knowledge through coursework that explores real-life communication issues. |
Website |
| Concordia University - Saint Paul | Master | MA in Strategic Communication Management
100% online program is designed for working professionals and delivered in a format that allows you to study on your own schedule. |
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.
The University of Montana offers a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism that is accredited by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). Holding this designation from the association means that the program has gone through rigorous review in many different categories.
Examples of these categories include maintaining a consistently updated curriculum, student resources that will aid in professional skill development, and strong mission statements and specific graduate goals that are met in any career within the communications field. At this time, there are no Master's degrees that have been accredited by the ACEJMC.
Top Locations for Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in Montana
Missoula is the location of the University of Montana, which is the second-highest populated city in the state of Montana. There are 21 radio stations and four broadcast networks (KPAX-TV, KUFM-TV, KECI-TV, and KTMF) that originate from this city.
The Missoulian is the third-biggest newspaper in the state that publishes on a daily basis and constantly updates their webpage (Missoulian.com).
Big Sky Public Relations, which has multiple locations in Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell, serves the community and media members by identifying and publicizing the most popular stories within their organization. They will also work alongside an organization during crisis management in order to protect their image to the public, dealing with media inquiries and preparing them for any future problems.
Other locations that are highly populated and provide some the best opportunities within communications and digital media include Billings, Great Falls, and Bozeman. Examples of places to work at in these areas are Real Marketing Solutions, petroleum distributor Story Distributing Company, and pavement marking manufacturer Mark Rite Lines.
There are over 1,400 market research analysts and specialists within the state of Montana overall, which is on par with surrounding states. There are more opportunities within the southwestern corner of the state.
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 Montana
Montana Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations
There are over 500 workers in the public relations sector, which is lower than the national average according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is on par with the neighboring states of Idaho, Wyoming, and the directional Dakotas.
The southwestern portion of the state holds the most job opportunities within public relations, which is where the densely-populated areas are located. The median salary sits at around $50,740 across the state and is fairly low in comparison to the rest of the country. That figure does grow in the more populated areas, and salaries can see over $89,900 within the top 10 percent of workers.
Reporting jobs across the state of Montana is fairly average, but when taking the entire state into consideration, it sits on the lower end of the spectrum. This is still on par with many regional states, such as Idaho and North Dakota. Some of the highest concentration of reporters in the entire country are in Missoula and Great Falls.
Despite the many opportunities in close proximity, salaries still fall lower than the national median, especially in Missoula with an annual mean salary of just under $33,000. Statewide, the figures on average are at a low $29,270, which is lower than all neighboring states and across the entire United States.
Montana Newspaper Association
The Montana Newspaper Association (MNA) connects 84 newspapers across the state to protect the free press, promote the journalism industry across the state, and provides services to those looking for improvement in their journalistic skills and other related professional development. Numerous publications are listed in the association, such as The Missoulian, Great Falls Tribune, and the Billings Gazette.
One benefit for joining the program are awards recognizing the most outstanding journalist in the area annually to put into the hall of fame. Eligible award winners are editing or publishing a local newspaper that are in good standing with the MNA.
