2026 Online Communication Degrees With Strong Professional Identity Development
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Choosing an online communication degree is really a career-positioning decision: you need a program that helps you become employable, not just earn credits. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% growth for public relations specialists from 2024 to 2034, which signals steady demand for people who can write clearly, manage reputation, analyze audiences, and communicate across platforms.
This guide is for students comparing online programs, career changers, and working adults who want a stronger professional identity, clearer portfolio, and smarter return on investment.
Key Things You Should Know
- Strong online communication degrees should combine accredited coursework with identity-building experiences such as portfolio projects, internships, client simulations, faculty feedback, and career-focused capstones.
- College Board's 2024 pricing data lists average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state public four-year students and $43,350 at private nonprofit four-year institutions for 2024-25, before online fees, transfer credits, or aid.
- BLS May 2024 wage data shows median pay of $69,780 for public relations specialists, $76,950 for market research analysts and marketing specialists, and $91,670 for technical writers.
What is an online communication degree and how does it build professional identity?
An online communication degree is a bachelor's or master's program focused on how people create, interpret, distribute, and evaluate messages in professional, organizational, media, and public settings. Students usually study writing, persuasion, public speaking, media literacy, research methods, digital communication, organizational communication, intercultural communication, and ethics.
Professional identity development is the process of becoming able to explain who you are as a communicator, what problems you solve, what audiences you serve, and what standards guide your work. In a strong program, this identity does not appear only at graduation. It is built through repeated practice, reflection, feedback, and evidence of competence.
The most useful programs connect academic learning to visible career artifacts. Before enrolling, look for experiences that help you graduate with proof of ability, not just course titles on a transcript:
- Portfolio development: campaigns, press releases, social media audits, research reports, presentations, speeches, and multimedia projects that can be shown to employers.
- Role-based learning: assignments that place students in the position of communication strategist, public relations writer, internal communication specialist, technical writer, or media analyst.
- Ethical decision-making: case studies on misinformation, crisis response, privacy, accessibility, inclusion, and audience trust.
- Feedback loops: instructor critique, peer review, client-style revisions, and reflection papers that help students articulate their professional voice.
- Career translation: resume language, LinkedIn positioning, interview preparation, and capstones that connect coursework to target roles.
This matters because communication is a broad major. Without a clear identity, students may graduate saying they are "good with people" or "strong writers," which is not specific enough for competitive hiring. A better outcome is being able to say, for example, "I help nonprofit teams translate research into donor-facing campaigns," or "I create clear employee communications during organizational change."
| Degree level | Best fit | Professional identity benefit | Possible limitation |
| Associate degree | Students testing the field or planning to transfer | Builds foundational writing, speaking, and media literacy skills | May be less competitive for specialized communication roles |
| Bachelor's degree | Most entry-level communication, PR, media, marketing, and corporate communication roles | Provides time to develop a portfolio, concentration, internship experience, and career narrative | Requires careful concentration choice to avoid being too general |
| Master's degree | Working professionals seeking leadership, strategy, research, or specialized communication roles | Helps reposition existing experience into a clearer professional specialty | May not be necessary for entry-level roles if the student lacks experience |
| Graduate certificate | Professionals adding a specific skill such as strategic communication or digital media | Can sharpen identity quickly around one capability | Usually narrower than a full degree and may not replace degree requirements |
How do online communication degrees compare with campus programs for career preparation?
Online and campus communication degrees can lead to similar academic outcomes when they are offered by accredited institutions and include comparable coursework. The major difference is not whether the class is online; it is whether the program gives students enough practice, visibility, mentoring, and applied experience to prepare for communication work.
Online programs can be especially useful for working adults because many communication assignments already happen in digital environments: writing briefs, recording presentations, managing virtual teams, analyzing social media, editing content, and presenting to remote audiences. However, students must be intentional about building relationships and work samples because online programs may not provide the same informal networking that happens on campus.
The table below compares the main career-preparation trade-offs. Use it to decide whether online or campus learning better fits your schedule, learning style, and need for professional connection.
| Factor | Online communication degree | Campus communication degree | Best decision rule |
| Flexibility | Often better for working adults, caregivers, military students, and transfer students | Requires more fixed attendance and commuting | Choose online if schedule stability is your biggest barrier |
| Networking | Can be strong if the program includes live sessions, student groups, alumni events, and faculty access | Often easier through campus events, student media, clubs, and local internships | Choose the format with structured networking, not just convenience |
| Public speaking practice | May use recorded speeches, live video presentations, discussion boards, and peer review | Often includes in-person presentation practice | Ask how speeches are delivered, graded, and revised |
| Portfolio building | Can be excellent if projects mirror remote communication work | Can be excellent if students join student agencies, media outlets, or campus campaigns | Compare actual sample assignments and capstone requirements |
| Internship access | May depend on the student's location and employer network | May benefit from local employer partnerships | Ask whether remote, local, and credit-bearing internships are supported |
A common mistake is assuming that online means easier or less respected. Employers are usually more interested in accreditation, skills, experience, writing quality, and portfolio evidence than delivery format alone. A second mistake is choosing an online program with no live interaction, no instructor feedback, and no applied assignments; that can make it harder to build confidence and professional identity.
If you choose online learning, take practical steps early. Introduce yourself to faculty, attend optional live sessions, join a professional association as a student member, volunteer for communication projects at work or in your community, and save every polished assignment in a portfolio folder. These habits turn an online degree into a career-building process.
Which accredited online communication programs best support professional identity development?
The best accredited online communication programs for professional identity development are not simply the ones with the most recognizable names. They are programs that help students connect a communication specialty, portfolio, faculty feedback, internship or applied project, and career goal into a coherent professional story.
Because program details change, treat the following as examples of accredited online options to compare rather than a fixed ranking. Always verify current accreditation, curriculum, tuition, transfer policies, and student support directly with the institution before applying.
| Institution example | Online communication-related program | Accreditation context | Identity-building strength to verify |
| Arizona State University Online | Bachelor's in Communication | Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission | Broad communication foundation with opportunities to connect interpersonal, organizational, and digital communication interests |
| Penn State World Campus | Bachelor's in Strategic Communications | Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Career alignment for students interested in public relations, advertising, campaign writing, and strategic messaging |
| Washington State University Global Campus | Bachelor's in Integrated Strategic Communication | Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Applied focus on persuasive messaging, media strategy, and communication planning |
| University of Florida Online | Bachelor's in Public Relations | Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Strong fit for students who want a clearer public relations identity rather than a general communication major |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Bachelor's in Communication | Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education | Flexible structure that may suit working adults seeking a practical, career-oriented pathway |
When comparing programs, ask for evidence of student outcomes and applied learning. A strong program should be able to explain how online students receive feedback, build portfolios, access career services, and connect coursework to specific roles.
Use this short evaluation sequence before building your application list:
- Confirm institutional accreditation through the school's accreditation page and the accreditor's current database.
- Map each program's concentrations to one or two target roles, such as PR specialist, content strategist, technical writer, or internal communication coordinator.
- Look for required projects that produce employer-facing samples, not only exams or discussion posts.
- Ask whether online students can complete internships, practicums, client projects, student media work, or capstones remotely.
- Compare career support for online students, including resume reviews, mock interviews, employer events, and alumni networking.
A program is a weaker fit if it cannot describe how students develop a portfolio, if faculty access is unclear, if transfer policies are vague, or if career services are available only to campus students. Those gaps may not make the degree invalid, but they can reduce its value for professional identity development.
What concentrations and coursework in communication most strengthen professional identity?
The most identity-building concentration is the one that connects your strengths to a recognizable employer need. Communication is broad enough to support many paths, but employers typically hire for specific work: writing campaigns, managing reputation, explaining technical information, supporting internal change, analyzing audiences, or producing content.
Students who want a role with cross-functional planning responsibilities may also compare communication coursework with adjacent credentials such as a project management degree online accredited, especially if they are interested in coordinating campaigns, stakeholder updates, timelines, and deliverables.
The table below summarizes common communication concentrations and the professional identity each one can support. Use it to avoid choosing electives randomly.
| Concentration or coursework area | Professional identity it supports | Useful course examples | Good fit for students who enjoy |
| Public relations and strategic communication | Reputation builder, campaign planner, media relations writer | PR writing, crisis communication, campaign planning, persuasion | Writing for audiences, managing public perception, fast-moving issues |
| Organizational communication | Internal communication specialist, change communication partner, employee engagement communicator | Leadership communication, conflict, team communication, organizational culture | Helping workplaces communicate clearly and reduce confusion |
| Digital media and content strategy | Content strategist, social media coordinator, digital communication analyst | Digital storytelling, analytics, platform strategy, multimedia writing | Online audiences, content planning, brand voice, measurable engagement |
| Technical communication | Technical writer, documentation specialist, user education communicator | Technical writing, editing, information design, usability | Explaining complex information clearly and precisely |
| Health communication | Patient education communicator, public health message planner, health campaign assistant | Health messaging, risk communication, intercultural communication, research methods | Making health information understandable and trustworthy |
| Communication research and analytics | Audience researcher, insight analyst, campaign evaluator | Research methods, survey design, statistics for communication, media analytics | Using evidence to improve messages and strategy |
Coursework is strongest when it produces evidence. For example, a public relations course should leave you with a press kit or campaign plan; a technical writing course should leave you with documentation samples; a research course should leave you with a report that explains methods, findings, and recommendations.
To build a sharper professional identity, organize electives around one of these patterns:
- Writer-strategist: PR writing, digital content, persuasion, campaign planning, and media law.
- Internal communicator: organizational communication, leadership, conflict, human resources communication, and change management.
- Technical explainer: technical writing, editing, information design, accessibility, and usability testing.
- Research-informed communicator: research methods, audience analytics, statistics, strategic communication, and data storytelling.
A common mistake is taking only "interesting" electives without building a pattern. Interesting courses are valuable, but your transcript, portfolio, and interview story should point toward a role employers understand.
What admission requirements and application materials do online communication programs expect?
Admission requirements depend on degree level and selectivity. Online bachelor's programs usually focus on high school completion, transfer credits, GPA, transcripts, and sometimes a personal statement. Online master's programs may ask for a bachelor's degree, resume, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, writing sample, and minimum GPA.
Communication programs often care about writing ability because students spend significant time producing messages for audiences. Even when a writing sample is optional, submitting a polished sample can help show readiness and professional direction.
| Application item | Bachelor's programs | Master's programs | Why it matters |
| Official transcripts | Required from high school and prior colleges | Required from all colleges attended | Used to verify completion, GPA, prerequisites, and transfer credit |
| Minimum GPA | Often required, especially for transfer admission | Commonly required, with exceptions varying by school | Shows academic readiness but may be considered alongside experience |
| Personal statement | Sometimes required | Commonly required | Helps the program understand goals and fit |
| Resume | Usually optional unless the program is career-focused | Commonly required | Shows professional experience, leadership, writing, media, or service background |
| Writing sample | Sometimes optional | Sometimes required | Demonstrates clarity, organization, and audience awareness |
| Recommendation letters | Less common for broad-access bachelor's programs | Common for selective graduate programs | Provides evidence of readiness, professionalism, and communication strengths |
Applicants can strengthen their materials by making their goals specific. Instead of writing that you want to "improve communication skills," explain the audience or problem you want to serve, such as employee communication, public health messaging, nonprofit campaigns, digital content, or technical documentation.
Before applying, complete these practical steps:
- Request unofficial transcripts and estimate how many credits may transfer.
- Review the curriculum and identify the concentration that best matches your target role.
- Prepare a short career statement that connects your background, the program, and your intended professional identity.
- Select a writing sample that shows structure, accuracy, audience awareness, and revision quality.
- Ask admissions whether online students have the same access to advising, internships, library resources, and career services as campus students.
Red flags include pressure to enroll immediately, unclear transfer-credit evaluation, no published accreditation information, vague tuition explanations, and promises about job placement or salary. Legitimate schools can discuss outcomes, but they should not guarantee employment.
How long do online communication degrees take, and what do they cost to complete?
A full-time online bachelor's degree in communication usually takes about four years for first-time students, while transfer students may finish faster depending on accepted credits. Part-time students often take longer but may be able to keep working, which can reduce borrowing and opportunity cost.
Cost depends on tuition, fees, transfer credits, residency rules, books, technology, prior learning credit, and whether the school charges a flat online rate. College Board's 2024 Trends in College Pricing reported average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state public four-year students and $43,350 for private nonprofit four-year students in 2024-25. That comparison is useful because online programs may reduce commuting or housing costs, but tuition differences can still dominate total price.
Students comparing related online health communication or speech-related pathways should also note that clinical fields can carry different expenses; this guide to speech pathology online program cost shows how tuition, fees, placements, and program structure can change the total investment in a more regulated graduate pathway.
The table below shows common timeline and cost variables for online communication degrees. It is not a price quote; use it as a checklist when asking schools for a total cost estimate.
| Cost or timeline factor | How it affects completion | What to ask the school |
| Transfer credits | Can shorten time to degree and reduce tuition | How many credits will apply to major, general education, and electives? |
| Part-time enrollment | May fit work schedules but extends completion time | Is there a maximum time limit for finishing the degree? |
| Accelerated terms | Can speed progress for motivated students | How many courses can working adults realistically take per term? |
| Online fees | May add technology or distance-learning charges | Are fees charged per course, per credit, or per term? |
| Residency pricing | Some public universities charge different rates by state | Do online students pay in-state, out-of-state, or flat online tuition? |
| Capstone or internship | Can add scheduling complexity but improves career preparation | Can the requirement be completed remotely or locally? |
To estimate return on investment, compare total net cost against your realistic target role, not the highest salary you can find online. A student aiming for entry-level PR or content roles should evaluate a bachelor's program differently from a professional using a master's degree to move into leadership.
Use these steps to reduce avoidable cost:
- Complete a transfer-credit review before committing to a school.
- Ask whether prior learning, military training, professional certificates, or portfolio work can count for credit.
- Compare total program cost rather than per-credit tuition alone.
- Submit the FAFSA if eligible and ask about institutional scholarships for online students.
- Avoid taking excess electives that do not apply to your degree plan or career direction.
What communication careers, roles, and industries can graduates pursue after these degrees?
Communication graduates can work in many industries because nearly every organization needs people who can explain ideas, build trust, manage messages, and coordinate information. The degree is most valuable when paired with a concentration, internship, portfolio, and industry awareness.
Common employers include corporations, nonprofits, universities, healthcare systems, government agencies, public relations firms, technology companies, media organizations, professional services firms, and startups. AI tools are also changing the field: employers increasingly expect communicators to use content, analytics, and automation tools responsibly while still applying human judgment, ethics, audience insight, and strategic thinking.
The table below connects common roles to responsibilities and identity signals. It can help you decide which coursework and portfolio samples to prioritize.
| Role | Typical responsibilities | Portfolio evidence that helps | Industries hiring |
| Public relations specialist | Write press materials, pitch media, support campaigns, monitor reputation | Press release, media pitch, campaign plan, crisis response memo | Agencies, corporations, nonprofits, universities, government |
| Internal communication coordinator | Create employee updates, support change communication, align leaders and teams | Employee newsletter, change communication plan, executive message draft | Healthcare, finance, technology, manufacturing, higher education |
| Content strategist | Plan messaging across websites, social channels, email, and campaigns | Content calendar, brand voice guide, audience persona, analytics summary | Technology, retail, agencies, nonprofits, professional services |
| Technical writer | Explain products, processes, systems, and procedures for users or employees | User guide, process documentation, knowledge-base article, usability revision | Software, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, government contracting |
| Market research analyst or marketing specialist | Analyze audiences, competitors, campaigns, and customer behavior | Survey report, audience analysis, campaign performance brief | Marketing, consulting, technology, consumer goods, healthcare |
| Communication manager | Lead messaging strategy, supervise projects, advise leaders, evaluate outcomes | Strategic plan, campaign results report, leadership communication samples | Large corporations, agencies, nonprofits, universities, public agencies |
Communication can also pair well with business operations, especially for students who want to manage teams, workflows, and stakeholder updates. Professionals aiming for broader leadership roles may later compare options such as the best MBA in operations management if they want to combine communication strengths with process improvement, supply chains, or organizational leadership.
Entry-level students should focus on roles that let them produce measurable work and learn industry standards. Good starting titles often include communication assistant, PR assistant, marketing coordinator, social media coordinator, editorial assistant, development communication assistant, or internal communication associate.
Students should consider a different major or add a second skill area if they want a highly technical, licensed, or quantitative role. For example, communication can support healthcare messaging, but it does not qualify someone to practice as a clinician. It can support marketing analytics, but advanced data science roles usually require stronger statistics, programming, or business analytics preparation.
What salary ranges and earning potential can communication graduates realistically expect?
Communication salaries vary by role, industry, location, experience, portfolio quality, and level of responsibility. The safest way to evaluate earning potential is to compare specific roles, not the major as a whole.
BLS May 2024 wage data shows that several communication-related roles sit in different earnings bands: the median annual wage was $69,780 for public relations specialists, $76,950 for market research analysts and marketing specialists, $91,670 for technical writers, and $138,520 for public relations and fundraising managers. These figures describe occupations, not guaranteed outcomes for any graduate.
The table below shows how to interpret salary potential by career stage. Use it to set realistic expectations and identify what you need to move upward.
| Career stage | Typical role examples | Main salary driver | How to improve competitiveness |
| Entry level | Communication assistant, PR assistant, social media coordinator, content assistant | Writing samples, internships, software familiarity, industry fit | Build a focused portfolio and show measurable project results |
| Early career | PR specialist, internal communication specialist, content strategist, technical writer | Specialized skill, audience insight, revision quality, project ownership | Develop a niche such as crisis communication, technical documentation, or analytics |
| Midcareer | Communication manager, senior writer, campaign lead, marketing communication manager | Leadership, strategy, stakeholder management, campaign outcomes | Document business impact and learn budgeting, analytics, and team coordination |
| Advanced | Director of communication, PR director, executive communication lead | Organizational influence, reputation management, executive advising | Build leadership credibility and sector-specific expertise |
Location matters because communication roles often cluster around major metro areas, state capitals, healthcare systems, universities, agencies, and corporate headquarters. Remote work can expand access, but it also increases competition because applicants may be competing across regions.
Students should avoid two salary mistakes. First, do not use manager-level pay to justify an entry-level degree decision unless you have a realistic path to management. Second, do not assume a communication degree alone creates earning power. Employers usually pay for demonstrated value: clear writing, strategic judgment, audience knowledge, speed, ethics, analytics, and the ability to work with stakeholders.
How can students evaluate accreditation, faculty expertise, and reputation in online programs?
Accreditation is the first quality filter. For most students, the minimum standard is institutional accreditation from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Programmatic accreditation is less universal in communication than in fields such as nursing or education, but some journalism, public relations, or mass communication programs may hold specialized accreditation or external recognition.
Reputation should be evaluated through evidence, not advertising. A school's brand can help, but the better question is whether the program has strong faculty, relevant coursework, career support, transparent costs, and graduates doing the kind of work you want to do.
The table below helps separate meaningful quality signals from weaker ones. Use it when reviewing program pages or speaking with admissions advisors.
| Quality area | Strong signal | Red flag |
| Accreditation | Current institutional accreditation is clearly listed and verifiable | Accreditation language is vague, expired, or difficult to confirm |
| Faculty expertise | Faculty have relevant research, industry experience, publications, or professional practice | Faculty names, credentials, or teaching roles are hard to find |
| Curriculum | Courses connect theory with applied writing, research, campaigns, ethics, and digital communication | Course descriptions are generic and do not show skill development |
| Career support | Online students receive advising, resume help, internship support, and alumni access | Career services appear designed only for campus students |
| Outcomes transparency | The school can discuss graduation, retention, transfer, or employment resources responsibly | The school promises jobs, salaries, or unrealistic timelines |
| Student experience | Courses include feedback, interaction, and applied projects | Program relies heavily on self-paced readings with little critique or engagement |
Before enrolling, ask direct questions that reveal how the online experience actually works:
- Who teaches the online communication courses: full-time faculty, adjunct practitioners, or both?
- How often will I receive detailed feedback on writing, presentations, and projects?
- Can I complete an internship, practicum, or client project from my location?
- What software, platforms, or analytics tools will I use in coursework?
- Will I graduate with portfolio-ready work, and does the program help me present it professionally?
- How are online students included in student organizations, alumni networks, and employer events?
Do not rely only on rankings. Rankings can be useful starting points, but they may not reflect your transfer credits, budget, concentration needs, learning style, or career goal. The best program is the one that is accredited, affordable enough for your situation, academically credible, and directly aligned with the professional identity you want to build.
Are there licenses, certifications, or professional associations relevant to communication majors?
Most communication careers do not require a state license. That is an advantage for students who want flexibility, but it also means professional credibility must come from skills, portfolio quality, experience, certifications, and association involvement rather than licensure.
This differs from closely related helping or clinical communication fields. For example, students interested in speech-language pathology should research accredited graduate preparation and state requirements separately; online SLP master's programs are part of a more regulated pathway than general communication degrees.
Certifications can be useful when they add a job-relevant skill, but they should not distract from degree progress or portfolio development. Choose credentials that match your target role and are recognized by employers in that space.
| Credential or association type | Best for | How it supports professional identity | Important caution |
| Public Relations Society of America membership | Students and professionals interested in PR, reputation, and strategic communication | Provides networking, ethics resources, events, and professional language | Membership alone is not a substitute for campaign experience |
| International Association of Business Communicators membership | Students interested in corporate, internal, or organizational communication | Helps students understand workplace communication standards and roles | Value depends on participation, not just joining |
| Google Analytics or digital marketing certificates | Content, social media, marketing communication, and audience analysis roles | Shows comfort with measurement and digital performance language | Tools change, so keep skills current |
| Technical communication certificates | Students aiming for documentation, user assistance, or information design roles | Signals specialized interest in clarity, usability, and structured information | Employers will still want writing samples |
| Project management certificates | Campaign coordinators, communication managers, and cross-functional team roles | Supports identity as an organized communicator who can manage timelines and stakeholders | Best after some project experience or alongside applied coursework |
Professional associations are especially valuable for online students because they create community beyond the virtual classroom. Attend webinars, join student chapters where available, follow job boards, volunteer for committees, and study award-winning campaigns to understand professional standards.
A practical credential strategy is to earn the degree for breadth, build the portfolio for proof, and add one or two targeted certifications for technical credibility. Avoid collecting unrelated certificates just to fill a resume; employers can usually tell when credentials do not connect to a coherent career direction.
Other Things You Should Know About Communication
Yes. Communication careers are not limited to public speaking or constant networking. Many introverted students do well in writing, research, content strategy, technical communication, editing, internal communication, and audience analysis roles.
Some do, but formats vary. Programs may use recorded speeches, live video presentations, discussion-based critiques, or group projects. Ask each school how presentations are delivered and whether attendance is synchronous.
A simple portfolio website can help, especially for students pursuing PR, content, technical writing, or digital media roles. It should include polished samples, a short professional bio, contact information, and clear descriptions of each project.
Communication pairs well with business, political science, psychology, public health, data analytics, journalism, English, and technology fields. A second major or minor can make your professional identity more specific and easier for employers to understand.
References
- Communications Specialist Certifications: Best Credentials to Advance Your Career | Teal https://www.tealhq.com/career-paths/communications-specialist-certifications
- Professional Identity: what it is and how to build it online https://www.digital-coach.com/articles/digital-job/career-guidance/professional-identity/
- How Long is an Online Master’s in Communication Program? https://www.onlineeducation.com/communication/faqs/how-long-to-earn-a-communications-masters-degree-online
- The Top 30 Online Masters in Communications Degree Programs - Best Marketing Degrees https://www.bestmarketingdegrees.org/top-20-online-masters-communications-degree-programs/
- CourseCareers https://coursecareers.com/blog-posts/college-vs-online-career-training
- Media and Communication Degree Careers and Salary in Europe - StudyinEurope.eu https://www.studyineurope.eu/media-communication/media-communication-degree-careers-salary-europe/
- Program Certification & Accreditation https://www.commissionpred.org/the-professional-bond/program-certification-accreditation/
- Certification Programs https://gcccouncil.org/about-gccc-certifications/
- Bachelor’s Degree Program / Media University https://www.media-university.de/en/application-form/admission-requirements/bachelors-degree-program/
- Are There Any Professional Certifications for Communications? - Best Communications Degrees https://www.bestcommunicationsdegrees.com/faq/are-there-any-professional-certifications-for-communications/