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 see more online programs that are taking applications for 2024.
Two institutions have seen accreditation from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) in the state of West Virginia - Marshall University in Huntington and West Virginia University in Morgantown. These popular universities offer Bachelor's degrees through a variety of majors that prospective students can select, including Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Strategic Communications, and Advertising.
Marshall University has added Video Production to the list of subject areas, but that has been added since its most recent accreditation review in 2015. Programs that hold accreditation have seen schools constantly publish their graduate and retention rates in these specific disciplines, maintain high standards when bringing in faculty members to teach the content, and they have maintained diversity and inclusion standards set by the nonprofit organization.
Top Locations for Communications Schools and Job Opportunities in West Virginia
Huntington and Morgantown are two of the top three cities in West Virginia, and there is a significant gap between the population in these locations. Charleston currently has the edge in overall population in the state with over 47,000 residents.
The major daily paper in the area is the Charleston Gazette-Mail, providing the latest news, cultural stories, business developments, and arts and lifestyle in the city. The TV market combines with the Huntington area and stretches into parts of Kentucky and Ohio, making it one of the largest markets overall in the Eastern part of the United States.
Public Relations in West Virginia
One of the most experienced public relations firm, and the largest throughout the state of West Virginia, is Charles Ryan Associates in Charleston. Services they provide to their clients include helping build strategic solutions for advertising reach.
In addition, they develop creative content through various print and multimedia platforms, and finding digital solutions to gain an advantage over the competition. Beginning 45 years ago, Charles Ryan Associates has now spread into three additional states with an agency in each - Ohio, Philadelphia, and Virginia.
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 West Virginia
Marshall University
- B.A. Advertising, Broadcast Journalism, Radio/TV Production and Management, Multimedia Journalism, Public Relations, Sports Journalism, Video Production
West Virginia Journalism and Communications Careers, Salaries, and Associations
With the state of West Virginia having an overall lower population than nearby states there is significantly less employment throughout many communications careers. There are over 440 public relations specialists with the annual mean salary coming in at $62,220.
Charleston and the surrounding area has approximately half of this employment alone, and the rate is nearly two workers per 1,000 that are employed within this sector. Employment rates are predictably sporadic in the rest of the state within public relations.
Editing positions throughout West Virginia are one of the higher-paying job opportunities within digital media and communications. Over 200 workers are represented within editing and average salaries are estimated $57,730 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Editing jobs are recognized with duties that develop content creation ideas for what is going to be published, or editing writing submissions to eliminate errors, fact check for accuracy, and make them suitable for publication. This can also be a combination of both tasks, and reviewing any writing submissions from contributors that may bring in audience viewership.
West Virginia Press Association
The West Virginia Press Association is a nonprofit agency that recognizes local newspapers throughout the state and helps them with legal formality, professional development sessions, and networking opportunities for individuals. Support for the association is through membership fees.
In additional to their services, they can also offer lower-rate insurance coverage and a pass to the annual state convention where industry leaders gather together to discuss the latest innovations in the sector. They gain perspective on how these professionals have advanced and built successful publications and advertising agencies.
