A degree in journalism is one popular avenue to pursue a career as a copy editor. Good copy editors must understand the writing process and be familiar with the tools of a writer, which is why journalism degrees are a good choice for anyone considering a career as a copy editor. Most journalism schools and degree programs also place a heavy emphasis on editing written work, which again makes journalism a good degree for copy editors.
English is another degree which can teach copy editors many valuable lessons for a future career. There is the opportunity to learn about sentence structure, syntax, and all the other technical knowledge a copy editor needs. There might not be as heavy an emphasis on writing in an English program as there would be in a journalism program, but many English majors do go on to become successful copy editors.
Communications is typically a broad field encompassing anything from television broadcasting to cultural studies. It is unlikely a communications degree will put as much emphasis on writing or on the technical knowledge of how language works as either a journalism or English degree would. However, with supplementary classes and a clear focus a degree in communications may lead to a successful career as a copy editor.
It is possible to become a copy editor without a degree. With an excellent understanding of style, formatting, and the technical ins and outs of how the English language works a degree might not be necessary. As degrees become more common though it is more expected applicants will have one, and so less likely jobs will be available to those without a degree. By being willing to work hard and start at the bottom though, this avenue to a career as a copy editor might still be an option.