2021 Communications Technologies & Support Degree Guide
Communications Technologies and Support is a growing field that gives students the ability to combine their technical side with their passion for creative communication. Students take classes in areas such as computer design, drawing, photography, art, lighting, sound mixing, and film to learn all aspects of their desired career.
Some majors within the Communications Technologies and Support field include Communications Technology, Audiovisual Communications, and Graphic Communications. There are specific areas of specialization within these majors that allow students to hone in on their desired interest.
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Communications Technologies & Support Degrees Growing in Popularity
Communications Technologies & Support was the 32nd most popular major in the 2018-2019 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 15,972 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 1.9% increase in communications technologies and support degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 15,669.
There are 437 schools offering degrees in communications technologies and support in the United States. Explore this or one of our many other custom communications technologies and support rankings further below.
Requirements for Getting a Degree in Communications Technologies & Support
Since you will be working in the communications field, strong interpersonal skills are required. You must be able to communicate effectively with both colleagues and those who will be receiving your message. Other necessary skills include creativity, attention to detail, and proficiency with computer software.
Workweeks and hours vary depending on the type of job you have within the field. Typically, professionals work full time with extended hours during the week or on weekends while working on projects.
Internships and experience are important within the Communications Technologies field. Some jobs can be competitive and those with previous experience are more likely to be hired or promoted. Internships also give students the ability to build a professional portfolio of their previous work to show to potential clients and employers.
Communications Technologies & Support Degree Program Entry Requirements
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most communications technologies and support degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific communications technologies and support careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Types of Communications Technologies & Support Degrees
There are various different levels of communications technologies and support degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a master's in communications technologies and support to something that takes less time like a associate's. Communications Technologies & Support programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to communications technologies and support, with approximately 19.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for communications technologies and support workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 30.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 19.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 17.7% |
| Some College Courses | 16.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.8% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in communications technologies and support have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which communications technologies and support career you choose.
Communications Technologies & Support Careers
There are a wide variety of careers available to a Communications Technologies major. Those with a specialization in animation or film may decide to work for a television or motion picture studio while graphic designers or graphic communications professionals may choose to go into advertising or work as a freelancer. A degree within this field will provide graduates with the necessary skills to confidently pursue numerous career paths.
Modest Decline Projected for Communications Technologies & Support Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your communications technologies and support degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communications technologies and support.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyers | 160,600 | -21.2% |
| Printing Press Operators | 160,200 | -10.4% |
| Audio and Video Equipment Technicians | 94,000 | 12.8% |
| Multimedia Artists and Animators | 79,900 | 8.4% |
| Film and Video Editors | 40,000 | 17.0% |
How Much Money Do Communications Technologies & Support Grads Make?
Recently graduated communications technologies and support students earned an average of $25,046 in 2017-2018. Earnings can range from as low as $8,700 to as high as $51,100. As you might expect, salaries for communications technologies and support graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Communications Technologies & Support Careers
Salaries for communications technologies and support graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers communications technologies and support grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | $86,830 |
| Multimedia Artists and Animators | $78,230 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $63,500 |
| Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators | $61,750 |
| Media and Communication Workers | $52,430 |
Getting Your Communications Technologies & Support Degree
With over 1,599 different communications technologies and support degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased communications technologies and support school rankings to help you with this.
Top Ranking Lists for Communications Technologies & Support
Communications Technologies & Support Related Majors
Communications Technologies & Support Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Audiovisual Communications | 7,448 |
| Graphic Communications | 7,434 |
| Communications Technology | 715 |
| Other Communication Technology | 375 |
View All Communications Technologies & Support Related Majors >
Most Popular Majors Related to Communications Technologies & Support
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer & Information Sciences | 220,337 |
| Engineering | 200,684 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 162,961 |
| Engineering Technologies | 92,549 |
| Physical Sciences | 53,556 |
View All Communications Technologies & Support Related Majors >
References
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