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The 20 Best Online Schools for Master’s in Communication

public relations and communications

Pursuing a Master’s in Communication degree is perhaps the most satisfactory academic and career choice a business-minded individual can make. This highly versatile field is the key to success in nearly every business-related application imaginable, not to mention… being useful in everyday life!

In almost all industries, companies seek confident, educated, and ethically-minded communication professionals, and, due to the broad nature of the coursework, this major allows one to access multiple industries. 

The required coursework will train master’s degree students to effectively resolve conflicts, problem-solve, and persuade others, using all of the most modern techniques and innovative technologies available today.

Are you ready to embark on an exciting career in communications? Check out these schools for the best online Master’s in Communications degree programs offering convenience and flexibility to the busy student.

master's in communication

Methodology

These programs provide the most refined virtual coursework in the discipline. Students learn from expert faculty members who have decades of experience and have unique opportunities to engage in real-world communication scenarios. Exciting and diverse classes are typically geared toward giving success upon entering a new career.

These schools were chosen for several factors that put them ahead of other online programs—due to the:

  • Nature of the coursework; with a focus on the field of Communication,
  • Degree of thoroughness and complexity of the curriculum,
  • 100% online or hybrid availability,
  • Provides sufficient financial aid availability,
  • Teaches coursework that gives students more than just classroom experience.

In developing this list, Business-Management-Degree.net, chose not to list the schools in an ordered way but instead highlighted twenty of the very best programs, all of which have their own unique strengths.


BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR MASTER’S IN COMMUNICATION

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Mississippi College is an excellent online school that has been recognized as such on innumerable lists and rankings. It supplies three Masters of Science in various areas of communications including:

  • Healthcare,
  • Strategic,
  • and Integrated Communications.

There is also a prestigious Certificate in Public Relations available for anyone who is not seeking a full graduate degree.

Campus Location: Clinton, MS

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Types of Aid: Federal loans and grants, institutional grants and scholarships, outside scholarships, tuition assistance, state grants, and military benefits.

Admission Requirements:
Anyone applying to Mississippi College must submit a completed application and the $25 application fee, official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended representing a completed bachelor’s degree, a 2.5 GPA minimum, and GRE scores.

Program Options:

  • Healthcare Communication
  • Integrated Communication
  • Strategic Communication

The Final Result:
Communication graduate students who complete one of these three master’s degrees often enter careers in advertising, public relations, and media at places like marketing agencies, government agencies, non-profits, and colleges and universities. Mississippi College offers excellent internships and jobs to help students and alumni get their feet off the ground.

Learn more about Mississippi College’s online graduate degree in Communication


PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Purdue University offers a 100% online Master of Science in Communication with four concentrations designed for working professionals ready to advance their careers. The curriculum also gives students an exciting opportunity to customize their own degree and forge a road not taken in the vast field of communications.

Campus Location: West Lafayette, IN

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans, institutional and outside grants and scholarships, federal work-study, income share agreements, and a GRE fee waiver.

Admission Requirements:
Readers who are interested in applying to Purdue University must submit a completed application along with official transcripts representing a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA minimum at an accredited college or university. Other documentation includes a current resume, a 500-word personal statement, three professional letters of recommendation, and the $60 application fee.

Concentration Options:

  • Strategic Communication/Public Relations
  • Integrated Communication and Advertising
  • Communication and Leadership
  • Health Communication
  • Customized Track

The Final Result:
This flexible program can be completed in 12 months at an accelerated rate or up to 20 months. According to surveys conducted by the school, a tremendously high percentage of graduates are satisfied with their degrees. Alumni work ubiquitously throughout the communications profession in the private and public sectors and not-for-profit.

Learn more about Purdue University’s Online Master’s in Communication


UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
The University of Southern California is a marvelous online school offering a Master of Communication Management degree that can be earned entirely at a distance in an accelerated 16-month period.

There are three specialization options, all of which lead learners toward high-level positions of responsibility in a diverse number of communication fields. The general curriculum explores psychological, sociological, and behavioral aspects of the discipline.

Campus Location: Los Angeles, CA

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans, the Graduate PLUS Loan, outside scholarships, and military and veterans benefits.

Admission Requirements:
Anyone applying to USC must submit the following documentation: a completed online application, official transcripts representing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution, a current resume, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation.

Concentration Options:

  • Marketing Communication
  • Strategic and Organizational Communication
  • Market Research and Analytics

The Final Result:
This exciting curriculum requires students to engage in a final, comprehensive practicum utilizing everything they’ve learned throughout the program. Graduates happily rely on well-developed networking connections with real-world business professionals in:

  • management consulting,
  • marketing promotions and sales,
  • training and development,
  • and public relations.

Learn more about the University of Southern California’s Master of Communication Management Online Program


NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
The prestigious Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University offers a one-of-a-kind online Master of Integrated Marketing Communications. This unique program consists of three core courses and ten electives.

It is completed over four terms that take less than two years. The curriculum emphasizes how major brands influence results using a data-driven, customer-centric approach.

Campus Location: Evanston, IL

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

Types of Aid: Federal financial aid such as unsubsidized Direct loans and the Graduate PLUS loan, federal and state grants and scholarships, institutional merit-based scholarships and fellowships, outside scholarships, and teaching assistantships and fellowships.

Admission Requirements:
Northwestern applicants must submit a completed online application along with transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution indicating a bachelor’s degree, a current CV or a resume showing three years of professional work experience, a professional statement, official transcripts from all institutions attended, and the $100 application fee.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Brand Communication Decisions
  • IMC Strategic Process
  • Digital Marketing, Media, and Innovation

The Final Result:
Students in this Integrated Marketing Communications program solve real challenges alongside leading industry authorities and scholars. They gain a highly sophisticated understanding of the marketplace and how to use communication methods to make strategic decisions and adapt to change.

Learn more about Northwestern University’s Integrated Marketing Communications Master’s Degree Online


JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Johns Hopkins University is an incredibly competitive, highly renowned, and massively prestigious American institution of higher education. It offers a Master of Arts in Communications that includes six exciting concentration options, all of which lead online graduate students toward vastly distinct areas of the profession.

Campus Location: Washington, DC

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Types of Aid: Federal loans (unsubsidized and Grad PLUS), outside and private scholarships, employer-related tuition assistance, and veteran’s benefits.

Admission Requirements:
Applicants to Johns Hopkins must submit a completed graduate application along with the nonrefundable application fee. Other required documents include a 500-word Statement of Purpose, an up-to-date CV or resume, official transcripts, professional and academic letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and official GRE scores.

Concentration Options:

  • Applied Research in Communication
  • Digital Communication
  • Political Communication
  • Corporate and Non-Profit Communication
  • Health Communication
  • Public and Media Relations

The Final Result:
Graduates leave this program with an impressive degree guaranteed to put them ahead of competitors in the job market. Johns Hopkins alumni work in:

  • brand management,
  • publishing and media,
  • writing and editing,
  • political communication,
  • advertising and marketing,
  • and many other compelling areas.

Their highly refined and diverse communication-related skills prepare them for any of these pathways.

Learn more about Johns Hopkins University’s Online MA in Communication


UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS – URBANA CHAMPAIGN

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
This excellent online school provides outstanding distance education graduate programs in the area of the healthcare communications profession. Each of these highly flexible courses is offered as a Master of Science curriculum and is an excellent foundation for applicable career pursuits.

Campus Location: Champaign, IL

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications

Types of Aid: Institutional fellowships and assistantships, federal and private loans, employer tuition assistance, and service fee waivers.

Admission Requirements:
Applicants to the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign must provide official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a bachelor’s degree and at least a 3.0 GPA. Other required materials include the non-refundable $70 application fee, unofficial transcripts from all educational institutions attended, three letters of recommendation, a written statement of purpose, and a CV or resume. GRE scores are not required.

Program Options:

  • Health Communication

The Final Result:
Graduates from the first major listed above go into the field of healthcare. Those exiting Health Communications now work at prominent companies, such as the Mayo Clinic, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and The American Medical Association.

Learn more about the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign’s Online Master of Communication Degrees


UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
This is an excellent program for anyone planning on pursuing a Ph.D. or a doctorate of some kind. As a Master of Arts degree, it provides a slightly different approach than other programs on this index with equally high-quality specialized coursework in communications.

Students at the University of Louisiana Monroe benefit from small class sizes and individualized attention from professors and mentors.

Campus Location: Monroe, LA

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Graduate departmental assistantships, departmental scholarships, federal and state grants and loans, Graduate PLUS loans, alternative loans, and federal work-study.

Admission Requirements:
Anyone applying to the University of Louisiana at Monroe is required to submit a completed online application, a 200-400 word statement of academic and professional goals, and official transcripts representing a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Mass Communications Theories
  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Communication Theory

The Final Result:
This curriculum emphasizes research methods, law, ethics, and contemporary criticism in public relations. Students are required to complete significant amounts of writing, reading, and critical thought. Many graduates from ULM choose to continue their communications education in prominent doctoral degrees at similarly prestigious academic institutions.

Learn more about the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s online Master of Arts in Communication


NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Northeastern University is an extremely well-respected online school that offers a superlative Master’s in Corporate and Organizational Communication delivered through interactive learning formats and experiential learning opportunities. One exciting area of the emphasis of the program is its focus on the transformational impacts of social technologies on personal and individual communication patterns.

Campus Location: Boston, MA

Accreditation: New England Association of Colleges and Schools

Types of Aid: Federal and supplemental loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; employer tuition reimbursement programs; various payment plans.

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution, a statement of purpose, a professional résumé representing relevant work experience, two letters of recommendation, and proof of language proficiency from non-native speakers of English.

Program Options:

  • Social Media
  • Public Relations
  • Human Resource Management
  • Project Management
  • Leadership

The Final Result:
No matter the specialization area in which students choose to focus their coursework, graduates of this program have a broadly developed understanding of the discipline. Unique projects, exciting coursework, real-world scenarios, and international field study experiences are only a few of the opportunities at NU. Alumni are armed with distinct advantages in the marketplace.

Learn more about Northeastern University’s Corporate and Organizational Communications


UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
This impressive graduate program in Mass Communication at the University of Florida offers eight exciting specialization options, some of which aren’t available at any other schools on this catalog, such as Social Media and Digital Strategy.

As a top-ranked public research university, UF provides the highest quality academic and professional resources. There are online graduate certificate programs available in communication, as well.

Campus Location: Gainesville, FL

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Types of Aid: The Graduate Grant, Grad PLUS loans, subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans, federal work-study, and employer reimbursement programs.

Admission Requirements:
The application checklist for the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications is as follows: official transcripts representing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a 3.0 GPA minimum, a completed UF application, three letters of recommendation, a written statement of purpose, and a current resume.

Concentration Options:

  • Audience Analytics
  • Digital Strategy
  • Global Strategic Communication
  • Political Communication
  • Public Interest Communication
  • Public Relations
  • Social Media
  • Web Design

The Final Result:
The University of Florida provides numerous exciting avenues to start a fulfilling and profitable career in communications through one of its many curricular specializations. Graduates from UF Online join a massive alumni network, Gator Nation, which is comprised of individuals living in every state and 135 different countries.

Learn more about The University of Florida’s online Master of Arts in Mass Communication


WEBSTER UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
This curriculum is intended for students who are currently working professionals in the field or in a related field, who are pursuing advanced positions and leadership-based responsibilities.

It is an incredibly thorough graduate program that starts with a mandatory consultation and includes exciting course topics designed to give a wide managerial perspective. Students can personalize their degree with five elective courses.

Campus Location: St. Louis, MO

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Types of Aid: Federal loans, Grad to Grad scholarships, Military and First Responders Scholarships, SEGAL AmeriCorps Education Award,

Admission Requirements:
Webster University applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution with a 2.5 GPA minimum and there is a $50 application fee. Other required documentation includes official transcripts and a current resume or CV. International students must submit proof of English literacy.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Media Communications
  • Organizational Communications
  • Media and Culture

The Final Result:
Some of the strongest learning outcomes that are a result of this fabulous degree include the ability to strategically apply communication-based project management skills, utilize complex communications methods, and design unique implementation tactics. Having explored personal interests through the elective classes, students leave the program and enter many different areas of the profession.

Learn more about Webster University’s online Communications Management (MA)


UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill online, students in the M.A. in Digital Communication program take two courses per semester and have unlimited one-on-one access to their professors.

There are nine classes in total and the degree can be finished in two years or less. It is quite flexible and intended for busy working career persons with numerous time constraints.

Campus Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans, departmental funding and scholarships, outside scholarships, federal work-study

Admission Requirements:
Applicants to the UNC-Chapel Hill graduate program online must have three years minimum of professional experience in communications. Required admissions documentation includes a completed online application representing an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, GRE scores, unofficial transcripts, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, a current resume or CV, and the application fee.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Communications Strategy and Planning
  • Reputation Management
  • Leadership and Entrepreneurship

The Final Result:
This curriculum is designed to sharpen the leadership skills of individuals working in the field of communications. Many of the courses address contemporary issues that are currently reshaping the media industry and supply effective resolutions. Alumni have built well-developed relationships with mentors and professors, with whom, by the end of the master’s degree, they have engaged in a complex, comprehensive project.

Learn more about the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s online MA in Digital Communication


SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
This online school’s Master in Communication Studies concentrates on some remarkable areas of the discipline, such as conflict resolution, gendered communication, organizational communication, and interpersonal and family communication. The curriculum is designed for students seeking a future doctorate, as well as those looking to simply advance their careers.

Campus Location: Huntsville, TX

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Types of Aid: Federal, state, and graduate loans; federal and state grants; institutional, departmental, and external scholarship opportunities; student employment programs.

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a GPA of 3.0 or higher, GRE or GMAT scores, and three letters of recommendation.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Communication Studies, Methods, and Research
  • Statistical Methods for Communication
  • Advanced Family Communication

The Final Result:
Sam Houston State University’s degree program is well-suited for elementary/secondary school teachers, community and college instructors, and marriage/family counseling professionals. It builds upon methods in Psychology Education, Sociology, and Criminal Justice in particular.

Learn more about Sam Houston University’s Communication Studies-Master of Arts


ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Arizona State University is often recognized as a purveyor of some of the finest online programs in the country. The Master in Technical Communication delves into the design, production, and management of print and digital texts using new and well-founded technologies. The curriculum embodies the professional, ethical, and cultural issues within the field.

Campus Location: Tempe, AZ

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and School

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; student employment programs.

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, a statement of purpose, a portfolio, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL scores from students who use English as a second language.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Applied Rhetoric and Technical Communication
  • Research in Technical and Applied Communication
  • Applied Project in Technical Communication

The Final Result:
Coursework heavily involves practice and theory-based projects that enhance analytical abilities, technological expertise, and necessary communication skills for future careers. Skilled faculty members come from various areas and give a broad and unique approach to the field.

Learn more about ASU Online’s Masters of Science in Technical Communications


DREXEL UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Drexel University is a fantastic online school that supplies an outstanding online Master of Science in Strategic & Digital Communication. This excellent curriculum is grounded in both practice and theory and includes exciting course topics, such as the examples listed below in the coursework sampling. It is a highly flexible and customizable interdisciplinary program.

Campus Location: Philadelphia, PA

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans, payment plans, and employer reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Admission Requirements:
Drexel applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher. Required documents include a completed application, official transcripts, two letters of professional recommendation, a 750-1000 word personal essay, and a current resume.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Reading and Research in Communication
  • Organizational Communication in Project Management
  • Media and Communication Policy in a Digitized World

The Final Result:
Drexel Digital Communication graduates have active careers in a huge number of fields, such as:

  • digital media,
  • marketing,
  • social media,
  • public relations,
  • corporate communications, and more.

They are prepared to take on any applicable role or duty and have the understanding and business savvy to take on crucial positions of paramount responsibility.

Learn more about Drexel University’s online Master’s in Strategic & Digital Communication


MARIST COLLEGE

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Marist College puts a strong emphasis on the development of interactive marketing and strategic communication tactics throughout the Integrated Marketing Communication Master’s curriculum. It is 100% online and supplies an enormous amount of high-quality resources at a distance. Students can complete the degree at full-time or part-time rates of study.

Campus Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business;

Types of Aid: Institutional and outside scholarship, corporate and organizational partnerships, state and federal grants, state and federal loans, institutional grants, and loans.

Admission Requirements:
Marist College applicants must submit an online application, a current resume, a personal statement, official and unofficial transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and the non-refundable $50 application fee.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Brand Management
  • Global Consumer Insight
  • Social Media Strategies & Tactics

The Final Result:
This program was designed and implemented by working communicational and marketing experts to expand students’ careers in an increasingly multichannel, interactive, and competitive global marketplace. It refines the knowledge of seasoned professionals and new undergrads, alike, who are guaranteed to take on bigger and better positions of responsibility and management.

Learn more about Marist College MA in Integrated Marketing Communication online


AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Located in our nation’s capital, American University is one of the most prestigious and well-respected institutions of higher education in the entire country. Online graduate students in Strategic Communication take advantage of impeccable educational resources at a top-tier public relations university, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Campus Location: Washington, DC

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications

Types of Aid: Federal and alternative loans, payment plans, prepaid tuition plans, and institutional and outside scholarships.

Admission Requirements:
Anyone applying to The American University’s master’s degree program must submit an online application form and pay the $55 nonrefundable application fee. Required documentation includes official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended representing a bachelor’s degree, a current resume or CV, a 500-1,000 word admissions essay, and two professional or academic letters of recommendation. A portfolio and GRE scores are optional.

Concentration Options:

  • Advocacy & Social Impact
  • Digital Communication Strategies & Analytics
  • Corporate Communication & Reputation Management
  • International Strategic Communication

The Final Result:
There are four various and compelling concentration options available at AU, each of which directs students toward diverse areas of Public Communication. It is an excellent degree program for corporate leaders, politicians, social advocates, international business people, or entrepreneurs. Graduates from The American University go on to achieve significant successes in their areas of interest and expertise.

Learn more about American University’s online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication


LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MARYLAND

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
A unique and fascinating program, the online Master’s in Emerging Media at Loyola University Maryland provides an avenue for students to more intricately understand the impacts of new technological platforms like social media. Asynchronous coursework provides the opportunity for students to learn invaluable skills to approach new media in the real world.

Campus Location: Baltimore, MD

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Institutional and departmental assistantships and fellowships, federal and private loans, and school-based scholarships and grants.

Admission Requirements:
The requirements for applying to Loyola University Maryland include the following: a completed application form, the non-refundable $60 application fee, official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended, a personal essay of 500-100 words, a professional resume, and two professional or academic letters of recommendation.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Emerging Media in Strategic Communication
  • Social, Political, Economic, and Cultural Issues and Emerging Media
  • Law and Regulation for Emerging Media

The Final Result:
The Emerging Media Master’s includes an optional specialization in Health Communication for anyone currently working in or pursuing a career in healthcare-related communication areas. Otherwise, this is an incredibly thorough degree that supplies a tremendous amount of information relevant to the fields of business, communication, law, and policy.

Learn more about Loyola University Maryland’s online Master of Arts in Emerging Media.


GONZAGA UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Another of the nation’s most excellent schools, Gonzaga University supplies exemplary online graduate programs like the Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership.

This degree has six concentration options and the core curriculum emphasizes all of the most crucial areas of the discipline, such as audience analysis, message impact, cultural awareness, and negotiation.

Campus Location: Spokane, WA

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Federal loans, institutional scholarships, graduate assistantships, military benefits, corporate partnership discounts, employer tuition reimbursements, and payment plans.

Admission Requirements:
.Gonzaga requires applicants to submit a completed online application, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended showing a 3.0 GPA minimum, one professional and one academic letter of recommendation, a 1,000-word statement of purpose, and a current resume.

Concentration Options:

  • Change Leadership
  • College Teaching
  • Digital Media Strategies
  • Global Leadership
  • Servant Leadership
  • Strategic & Organizational Communication

The Final Result:
Many Gonzaga University graduates exit the degree and become executives in corporate communications, human resources managers, non-profit directors, college and university professors, journalists, and more. Some alumni hold positions of high-level responsibility at some of the most massively successful companies in the world like Google, Microsoft, Nike, and Boeing.

Learn more about Gonzaga University’s online Master’s in Communication & Leadership


LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
Liberty University is well-known as one of the finest online Evangelical Christian institutions in the country. Its unique approach to a Master in Communication integrates a Christian worldview into professional practice and communication theory. The distinctive coursework provides a broad range of areas in which students are trained in communications.

Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and external scholarship opportunities; student employment programs; military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and TOEFL scores from students who use English as a second language.

Sampling of Coursework:

  • Communication Theory and Practices
  • Small Group and Team Communications
  • Communication in Christian Ministry

The Final Result:
This graduate program prepares students for prominent doctoral programs and is well-suited for individuals seeking a career in teaching. Graduates have a keen ability to critically analyze and apply communication theory based on best practices and present research using appropriate methods and scholarly writing.

Learn more about Liberty University’s Online Master’s in Communication.


UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

master's in communication

Prominent Program Features:
The University of Denver offers its Master’s in Communication Management as an accelerated online graduate degree with 10-week courses that can be completed in a year and a half. There are also four-course and six-course certificates available online for anyone seeking a smaller commitment.

Campus Location: Denver, CO

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Types of Aid: Institutional and outside scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement programs, federal and alternative loans, and veterans and military benefits.

Admission Requirements:
Items required to apply to the University of Denver master’s degree include a completed application (currently no fee), a personal statement, a resume, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.

Concentration Options:

  • Learning and Development
  • Marketing Communication
  • Organizational Communication
  • Organizational Development
  • Public Relations
  • User Experience Strategy

The Final Result:
Having learned from some of the most prominent minds in communication and persuasion, Denver grads go on to make a drastic impact on their professional and personal relationships, alike. From storytelling to negotiation, these individuals have incredibly well-sharpened communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.

Learn more about the University of Denver’s Communication Management Online Master’s Degree


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the advantages of an online Master’s in Communication program?

An online Master’s in Communication program follows the pattern of a typical traditional campus curriculum. The self-paced format of an online Master’s in Communication degree program provides an appropriate option and will prepare students working full-time or having family obligations.

This online program degree allows students to acquire practical skills in professional communication for the advancement of their careers in the fields of marketing, public relations, political campaigning and advocacy, health communication, non-profit communication, and other areas of discussion.

Also, it enables students to have professional or personal obligations that hinder them from going to the campus or relocating for an individual degree program to complete their requirements at a more convenient pace. Greater accessibility is also provided for students especially those who have proximity concerns.

There is also broader accessibility to various specializations, which may not be offered on campus. Greater flexibility is also provided for those who have problems relocating like students in the military or spouses of military members.

An online Master’s in Communication also opens students to higher exposure in terms of online communication technologies and greater comfort in terms of technology navigation, which can be of more significant advantage for other fields of specialization.

Courses and projects in communications programs can be completed at any period of the day without the necessity of attending classes during specific periods. Students may also view and review course materials like recorded lectures numerous times if the need arises for better comprehension of important course concepts.

Students need to be aware that an online Master’s degree in Communication program needs greater self-discipline and self-motivation compared to the traditional brick-and-mortar format. This is for the principal reason that students must be responsible for keeping up with their online classes, homework, and projects without the regular structure of weekly on-campus lectures. Students in a communication management program should be guided and disciplined effectively, especially for students attending live lectures online.

What salary can I expect with an online Master’s in Communication degree?

As of May 2022, the BLS reports the salaries for Media and Communication-related occupations were $66,240 annually on average. These fields include technical writers, interpreters, announcers, and translators. Other occupations, such as film and video editors, and broadcast and sound engineering technicians, in addition to announcers, were also paid around $65,000 per year, as of 2022.

What are the various specializations under an online Master’s in Communication program?

Though most of the online Master’s in Communication degree programs have various specializations, some programs have been created with an emphasis on one field in communication or provide a general program enabling students to adjust according to the electives they have chosen. Aside from this, academic institutions may use various terms to explain their respective programs and specializations.

Strategic communication programs online may be labeled with various names such as the following:

  • Master’s in Strategic Communication
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Strategic Communication
  • Master of Science (MS) in Strategic Communication
  • Master of Strategic Communication
  • Master’s in Communication with a specialization in Strategic Communication
  • Master’s in Communication with a focus in Strategic Communication
  • Master’s in Communication with an emphasis in Strategic Communication

When researching and deciding between the programs mentioned above, students should consider whether they would choose a program offering a distinctive track in a particular specialization with a curriculum that includes the essential aspects within that specialization or a generalized program providing a wide selection of coursework across various disciplines in communication.

The following shows the different specializations for those who wish to pursue their Master’s in Communication online and become communication professionals:

Online Master’s in Communication Studies

Through this specialization, students become knowledgeable in critiquing numerous types of human communication, including interpersonal and mass communication, and engagement in the analysis, and research of social interaction.

Online Master’s in Global Communication

Students become prepared for the management of international modes of communication and the navigation of difficult global communication concerns.

Online Master’s in Health Communication

Students learn more about the various modes of communication in the medical and health-related fields, including patient-provider engagement, medical and public health initiatives, and optimization of communication channels within medical care institutions.

Online Master’s in Mass Communication, Media, and Digital Communication

Students become knowledgeable regarding the theories behind the conveying of messages to larger populations, and how the latest communication technologies are leveraged for the creation and dissemination of important messages in the corporate, political, and medical areas.

Online Master’s in Organizational and Corporate Communication

Students become knowledgeable when it comes to information flows between individuals and groups in complex organizations, and are trained in internal and external communication for different organizations.

Online Master’s in Political Communication

Students become knowledgeable regarding the role that communication has to play concerning government operations, the enhancement of sound policies, and efficient campaigns for politicians and political causes.

Online Master’s in Public Relations, Marketing, and Integrated Marketing Communication

Students are trained to become experts in product positioning, creative and participative storytelling that encourages the engagement of potential consumers, crisis communication, forging relationships with media, and the creation and maintenance of stable brand identity and reputation.

Online Master’s in Strategic Communication

Students become knowledgeable regarding the development and implementation of communication initiatives for the advancement of the missions of the organizations.

Online Master’s in Technical Communication

Students learn methods and strategies for writing and management of scientific and technical publications, like scientific research articles, medical instructions, user manuals, and instructional content for people using online or mobile applications.

In determining the type of specialization to pursue, students need to research the different careers in communication that are of interest to them along with the skills that they need to acquire.  Through this, they can identify the programs that can give them focused coursework, numerous research opportunities, and internship opportunities to become successful in the field.

Is the field of Communications expected to grow?

Between 2022 and 2032, the BLS reported an expected 6% job growth rate over the next decade, adding approximately 116,000 new job opportunities in a variety of career options in the field.

What are the notable features of an online Master’s in Communication program curriculum?

An online Master’s in Communication program curriculum has instructional resources and programs accessible 24/7 for students to determine their schedules. There are also specific online programs integrating live video discussions and other forms of interactive learning technologies to achieve active peer-to-peer engagement and student-faculty relationships.

Apart from the types of instructional methods, graduate-level communication students may interact with instructors and classmates through online discussion forums, email, phone, and chat, as well as video conferencing.

Just like the traditional campus-based programs, an online Master’s in Communication program combines major coursework involving fundamentals of communication and concentration lessons in a student’s chosen professional field post-graduation. Prospective students will study major courses that may differ across programs yet may include concepts like:

  • leadership in communication,
  • corporate and nonprofit communication,
  • branding and messaging strategies,
  • communication laws and ethics,
  • interpersonal communication,
  • media and digital communication,
  • strategic brand communication,
  • ethical communication,
  • as well as strong rhetoric and strong communication skills.

Concentration courses may differ broadly and can rely on a student’s preferred specialization. The number of course credits required for the completion of an online Master’s in Communication program differs by the school and the student’s chosen specialization, yet it usually ranges from 30 to 45 credits.

Depending on the program, as well as the many credits that students should take in every term they are enrolled in, students are required to complete the degree in 12 to 24 months, given full-time study and 24 to 36 months, given part-time study. Nonetheless, an online master’s program permits students to take as many courses as they can every term, provided that they complete the entire degree in five to eight years.

The program curriculum of an online Master of Communications degree program:

  • 9-18 credits of foundational courses, which include essential theories and principles of communication, strategies on how professionals can become leaders in communication, significant advancements in communication (like digital communication technologies and social media), the foundations of research in communication, and more.
  • 9-18 credits of specialization courses, including strategic storytelling, social media approaches for corporations, political campaigning, rhetorical criticism, communication processes for social advocacy, health communication, and marketing and public relations strategies
  • 3-9 elective credits, wherein students can take courses in any field of communication outside of their chosen specialization
  • 3-6 credits for capstone or practicum, wherein students complete a project in their area of specialization or accomplish a well-monitored practicum experience in a work setting related to the field of specialization. No thesis is required for graduation.

Is a Master’s degree in Communications worth it?

It depends on what career goals you have in mind. A Master’s degree can be a useful tool if you are pursuing a career in communications or a related field. It can open up new career possibilities by giving you a competitive edge over other applicants. However, it is important to also consider potential costs and the time commitment such a degree might require.

Consider researching the job market for positions you are interested in and the kinds of skills and education that employers are looking for in order to make the best decision.


Would you like more information?

Rowan Jones
Chief Editor