Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Senior communications specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior communications specialist. Senior communications specialists usually study communication, journalism, or business. 65% of senior communications specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,790 real senior communications specialist resumes to see exactly what senior communications specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior communications specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online senior communications specialist courses to help get the education required to be a senior communications specialist.
There are certain senior communications specialist certifications that you should consider. These senior communications specialist certifications include Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) and Change Management Certified Professional.
What education do you need to become a senior communications specialist?
What degree do you need to be a senior communications specialist?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 12%
- Master's, 12%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a senior communications specialist?
- Communication, 18%
- Journalism, 13%
- Business, 13%
- English, 10%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for senior communications specialists
| Senior communications specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.94% |
| University of Houston | 6.64% |
| University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | 5.47% |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 5.47% |
| Saint Cloud State University | 5.47% |
Best majors for senior communications specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 18.3% |
| 2 | Journalism | 12.7% |
| 3 | Business | 12.6% |
| 4 | English | 10.0% |
| 5 | Nursing | 8.9% |
Best colleges for senior communications specialists
The best colleges for senior communications specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
A senior communications specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior communications specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior communications specialists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
5. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
6. University of Houston
Houston, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$8,913
Enrollment
37,291
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$41,870
Enrollment
8,200
20 best online courses for senior communications specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Data Streaming
Learn how to process data in real-time by building fluency in modern data engineering tools, such as Apache Spark, Kafka, Spark Streaming, and Kafka Streaming. ...
2. Strategies for Senior Housing Communities during COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, poses a high risk for senior housing communities and the people who live and work there. The COVID-19 response has largely focused on nursing homes, leaving independent living communities serving older adults in the United States with fragmented guidance on how to respond to COVID-19 challenges. This course provides comprehensive instruction and resources for property owners and managers, senior housing staff, service coordinators and providers,...
3. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
4. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better
Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...
5. Winning With Communication - Master Communication Skills
Communication Training Course - Develop True Communication Mastery!...
6. Communication Skills for Beginners
Start Building Your Communication Skills Now...
7. Executive Communication Training
Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...
8. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
9. Effective Communication in the Workplace
Business Communication Training...
10. Effective Communication Skills: Be a Better Communicator!
NEW UPGRADED COURSE: Learn proven, effective communication skills, how to question, listen actively & overcome problems...
11. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...
12. Basic Communication Skills
Learn how to be an effective communicator...
13. Communicate Like a CEO
Dramatically improve your leadership communication skills on the way to the c-suite...
14. Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication
Accelerate your Product Management career. Master communication, people management, & leadership...
15. Assertive Communication Skills Masterclass
Assertive Communication Skills for Business & Social Life. Speak Confidently. Set Boundaries. Difficult conversations...
16. Communications for New Managers
Learn from an Emmy-Award Winner and a #1 Linked In Instructor on developing effective leadership communications skills...
17. Communication Skills PLUS Leadership - 2 in 1 Masterclass
Learn Communication & Leadership Skills For Inspiration, Success In Life, Work PLUS Interviews, Case Studies, Activities...
18. ChatGPT for Better Business Communication
How to use AI to Increase Productivity and Communicate More Effectively [Improve Business Writing Skills with GPT 4]...
19. Communication Skills every Manager should Master
Powerful Communication Techniques to better Delegate, Communicate Decisions, Change Resistance, Say No & Admit Mistakes...
20. The Complete Business Communication Masterclass
Improve your productivity and relationships in the workplace through the hidden secrets of communication!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for senior communications specialists
The most affordable schools for senior communications specialists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.
If the best universities for senior communications specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior communications specialists.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. Texas A&M International University
Laredo, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$7,176
Cost of attendance
13,914
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior communications specialists
The hardest universities for senior communications specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for senior communications specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior communications specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior communications specialists
The easiest schools for senior communications specialists to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior communications specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior communications specialists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
6. Pennsylvania State University - Worthington Scranton
Dunmore, PA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,056
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average senior communications specialist salary by education level
| Senior communications specialist education level | Senior communications specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $84,963 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $79,688 |
Senior communications specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for senior communications specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025