An associate of arts in communication provides a foundation for a career in the communications industry. This degree will provide you with entry-level skills in the communications field. Coursework includes basic liberal arts and sciences classes, along with other courses designed to improve your critical-thinking skills and develop your communications abilities.
In most cases, a bachelor's degree in communications teaches a student how to communicate more effectively on a personal, small-group or organizational level. It also provides training on effective mass communications. Coursework will make a student more effective in producing and distributing effective messages. At this level, you have the option to specialize in areas such as mass communication, corporate leadership or strategic communications.
A master's degree in communications, will, in most instances, focus on mass media communications, with an emphasis on intercultural communications. Most programs include some public relations or business communications courses as well. Some programs, such as Johns Hopkins University, focus on negotiation, diversity and dispute-resolution techniques.
A doctoral program in communications can delve into verbal and non-verbal communications, with an emphasis on these communications in context of the surrounding culture. A master's degree is generally required for acceptance into a doctoral communications program, but the degree does not have to be in communications. PhD students will, in most cases, examine communications research methods, theories of media and communication and the history of communications.