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What is corporate communication?

Written by: Nancy Finney, Edited by: Valerie Black

Published: April 1, 2025


Corporate communication occurs any time businesses and organizations disseminate messages and refers to the methods they use to convey information. It includes messaging to the public, internal and external stakeholders, the media, the government, employees, and customers. These communications could include written documents, spoken communication, social media, and video.

Learn more about degree programs and careers in the field of corporate communication.

What is corporate communication, and why is it important?

Corporate communication occurs in every industry. While some companies and organizations may aim their communications at their employees or internal audiences, others focus their messaging on the public and customers.

Pursuing a degree in corporate communication leads to a career with opportunities in the private and public sectors. Good communication is integral to success in the marketplace, and jobs in corporate communication range from crisis management to technical writing.

What are the benefits of a degree in corporate communication?

The benefits of earning a degree in corporate communication include adaptability to different roles and being equipped to manage a company's public image. Here's a more detailed breakdown of how earning a bachelor's degree in corporate communication can potentially benefit your career:

  • Versatility: Since communication occurs within every business and at every organizational level, you may qualify for many different roles. Graduates of these programs find careers in social media management, technical editing, human resources, marketing, and more.
  • Strong communication skills: A degree in communication will help you become a better communicator, and this skill can also benefit you in other industries. Earning a corporate communication degree could help you if you pursue graduate opportunities in business or education, for instance.
  • Finding a specialty: Most corporate communication degrees allow you to focus on a specialty or concentration within the degree. These typically include spoken and verbal communication, marketing and writing, and digital media communication. Depending on the program, graduates might be highly skilled in film or have a knack for social media management.

Should I get a corporate communication degree?

A corporate communications degree can unlock many career opportunities. Consider the following when determining if this is the right study pathway for you:

  • The wide range of opportunities in the field of communications makes this degree highly marketable. You'll learn about interpersonal and group communication, organizational communication, messaging in diverse contexts and cultures, and mass media methods.
  • You'll learn valuable skills including the ability to articulate complex thoughts and ideas, how to manage communications in times of crisis, and how to develop messaging on behalf of leadership for a company or business.
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, media and communication professionals as a group have a median annual salary of $66,320 as of May 2023, which is much higher than the average rate across other professions and occupations.

Get started on edX

Are you ready to begin your journey toward a career in corporate communications? Then check out edX's online courses in business communication and get started today.

Frequently asked questions about software development careers

How long does it take to earn a corporate communication degree?

Earning a bachelor's degree in corporate communication typically takes around four years. The first two years of classes will usually involve your general education courses, while the last two years will generally focus on your upper-level coursework. Many programs require practicums, internships, or capstones as the culmination of the degree.

Is a corporate communication degree worth it?

A corporate communication degree can be valuable due to its versatility and flexibility, as it doesn't pigeonhole you into one career track. As a result, you can pursue management, marketing, sales, advertising, nonprofit management, and more.

What is the difference between corporate communication and marketing?

Marketing emphasizes the promotion of a company's products and services to improve sales and increase profit, while corporate communication focuses on the management of a company's reputation through its communications with employees, stakeholders, and the public. One has the goal of selling, while the other seeks to ensure clarity and manage a company's reputation.

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