Communications Degree

The communications program at College of San Mateo prepares the student to enter the fields of advertising, marketing, organizational communication, public relations, publishing, human resources, law, criminal justice, politics, public administration, and more. The program focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Program courses include: intercultural communication, speaking and listening, verbal and nonverbal interaction, rhetorical theory and criticism, argumentation and persuasion, technologically mediated communication, and popular culture. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer communications degrees.

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College of San Mateo (CSM)

1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, CA

About
College of San Mateo, located in San Mateo, California, was founded in 1922 and is part of the San Mateo Community College District. The school is in the Bay Area of California, between San Jose and San Francisco and is part of the California Community College System, which is comprised of 122 colleges throughout the state. CSM serves over 10,000 students annually through a large number of programs and services available on campus. The school has grown considerably in terms of enrollment and size over the years to better accommodate the community, and assist in its academic and professional development.

Academics
College of San Mateo offers a variety of programs that allow for academic growth or professional career development. Academic transfer programs give students the opportunity to take on a curriculum that completes the first two years of a four year program locally and at low cost, followed by the application to bachelor degree granting institutions in order to continue one's education. Transfer to public California institutions is facilitated by agreements in place that guarantee admission if certain requirements are met. Individuals interested in transfer to private or out of state schools should meet with a counselor to discuss transfer and curriculum options.

Career training programs provide students with an education in a given field or industry with the intention of assisting them in entering the workforce as a qualified professional for the purpose of long term employment. Students will participate in a traditional and practical courses as needed by the program, with practical courses providing training and development in a controlled environment under the supervision of professionals. These programs take between one and two years to complete, and result in an associate degree or certificate which demonstrates competency.

Programs offered include:

• Bookkeeping
• Communications
• Computer Science
• Liberal Arts
• Nursing

Admissions and Financial Aid
The College of San Mateo admits any interested individuals as long as they are a high school graduate or at least eighteen years of age. Students wishing to enroll must complete the application for admissions, pay all fees, supply transcripts and test scores if available, and may be required to take a placement exam prior to registration. Students are also encouraged to participate in new student orientation and to meet with a counselor to discuss program enrollment and curriculum prior to the selection of courses.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships and is awarded based on need. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information provided by which will be used by the school's financial aid department to determine the extent of a given student's need and their aid program eligibility when constructing his or her financial aid packet. Aid must be applied for prior to each academic year and it is recommended that the application be completed in a timely fashion.

Students Enrolled in the Communications Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. College of San Mateo has offered the following degree levels for students:

• Less Than One Year Certificate
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Radio and Television Announcers

Description

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio or television. May announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Public Address System and Other Announcers

Description

Make announcements over public address system at sporting or other public events. May act as master of ceremonies or disc jockey at weddings, parties, clubs, or other gathering places.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, public address system and other announcers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 2.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 60
  • Average Hourly Rate: $14.66
  • Average Annual Salary: $30500
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $14.72
  • Average Annual Salary: $30620

Public Relations Specialists

Description

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, public relations specialists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $36.86
  • Average Annual Salary: $76670
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 3
  • Average Hourly Rate: $48.02
  • Average Annual Salary: $99870

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).