Although there are professional certifications for communications, there are also many areas in which communication professionals may work where certifications are not required. Since communication can cover a wide range of areas ranging from broadcast journalism to technical writing and freelance web design to being a military communications officer, no one credential could cover all possible fields in which a graduate of a communications program might work. Instead, one should consider obtaining certification in areas specific to one’s career objectives.
The first step towards developing a strong résumé for positions in communication is a university degree. A bachelor’s degree in communication is a standard requirement in most communications professions. For specialized positions in fields such as technical communication, medical communication, and journalism, often a master’s degree is desirable and will make a job candidate stand out from a crowd of other applicants. For advanced research or university teaching positions, one is normally expected to have a Ph.D. Many universities also offer certifications in specific areas of communications, either within the context of a communication degree or as stand-alone extension programs.
Ranking: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
Global Communication Certification Council
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) collaborates with the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) to offer two forms of certification in business communications:
- Communication Management Professional certification
- Strategic Communication Management Professional certification
Both of these certifications are aimed at professionals who have been working in communications fields for several years rather than at new graduates from university communication programs. Both are annually renewable certifications in business communication contingent on demonstrating a commitment to ongoing professional development and keeping up to date with best practices in the field.
Public Relations Society of America
For communication experts focused on public relations, the Public Relations Society of America offers three types of certification:
- Accreditation in Public Relations (APR): designed for the experienced public relations professional
- Accreditation in Public Relations + Military Communication: for people interested in civilian or military positions in military communications
- Certificate in Principles of Public Relations: for seniors in and recent graduates of university communication programs
Technical Communication
The Society for Technical Communication offers three levels of certification:
- Foundation Certification: This certification can be obtained by passing a test concerning best practices in the field.
- Practitioner Certification: To become a Certified Professional Technical Communicator one must pass a written test and submit a product for evaluation.
- Expert Certification: The Certified Professional Technical Communicator Expert certification is obtained through expert interviews and evaluations of multiple work products.
When to Get Certified
Professional certifications in communications are important in some fields such as business and technical communications. In other areas such as journalism, undergraduate degree and certificate programs offered by established universities are more common. Many of the forms of professional certification are intended as supplements or follow-ons to undergraduate degrees, often as a way of showing evidence of continuing professional development. Although not professional certifications for communications per se, memberships in relevant professional organizations can also show a strong commitment to development in one’s field and a high degree of professionalism.
Sources:
- International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
- Public Relations Society of America
- Society for Technical Communication