Online Training Options for Media Studies Careers

Media studies is considered to be a broad academic field that allows students to study all forms of communication and how they affect society. Students have the opportunity to learn how to effectively use the latest technology to disseminate information in a variety of ways through higher education. Online training is available at several degree levels.

The field is predominantly made up of careers in journalism, broadcasting, and advertising. However, the content of education can be applied to numerous disciplines. Online education can be pursued as a general approach or a specific concentration such as journalism. Education is most commonly completed in one specific area of the field as students learn about the industry as a whole. Concentration courses and general courses are taken inside all degree programs. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to step into various careers because their knowledge of the communication field is broad. Associates, bachelors, and masters degree programs are available to students online. Certificate programs are available at some schools and are typically geared towards working professionals that need to brush up on technology improvements in their field.

American and global media is studied in a broad context within an undergraduate degree program. A number of concentrations can be entered that include photography, digital media, and advertising. Culture and society is heavily explored to give students an understanding of how media relates to the perception of communication. General topics typically include composition, writing for television, web design, and new media. Students working to complete a journalism degree program study how to write and disseminate information for a variety of mediums. Education will cover newspaper, television, advertising, and broadcast writing styles. Undergraduate training is concerned with giving students a wide skill set to prepare them for the workplace. Many careers have professionals doing a variety of tasks so the broad knowledge gained is essential for career success. Earning a degree opens a variety of careers that include:

Broadcast Journalist
News Journalist
Film Editor
Marketing Analyst

Media studies at the undergraduate level train students for a career and further schooling if desired. Online education at the graduate level is mainly available within a master’s degree program. Students can expect to explore the procedures and effects that different forms of media have on communication. Advanced positions are available to students with this level of schooling. Cultural media, media theory, management, and social media are all topics included within a master’s degree program. The growing field opens up numerous careers for students with a master’s degree, which include:

Media Producer
Web Designer
Public Relations Manager
Filmmaker

Some online colleges and universities offer PhD programs in communication and media studies. These degree programs are academic and research based. They train students for teaching positions and upper-level careers. Research design, media philosophy, global communication, and advertising consumption are areas explored inside a program. This advanced training provides students with the skills to work in all areas of media studies.

Students can develop the skills necessary to work with mass media by completing an accredited media studies degree program. Agencies like the accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (http://www.accet.org/) are approved to fully accredited quality educational training programs and schools. Explore the different options and enter a continually advancing industry.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.