35 BEST ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREES IN COMMUNICATION

Michigan State University's Masters of Arts in Strategic Communication is designed to empower those already working in the field, and who are now looking for ways to increase their marketability and career opportunities. The program is entirely online and consists of 30 credits and a capstone project. Students may complete the program on a one-, two-, or three-year track. Core courses make up 15 credits, and electives fulfill the remaining 15. The core topics prepare students with knowledge on the persuasion and evaluation techniques that make up the professional field. The electives build off of this with topics like Digital Media Strategies, Catalyst Thinking, Social Media Storytelling, and more.

The Master of Science in Global Strategic Communications from Florida International University is designed to provide working professionals with the knowledge and skill set to propel their careers forward. The fully online program focuses on the importance of entering the field globally-minded and with an understanding of their social responsibilities as communication leaders. Students take courses on reputation management, social media, professional ethics, and more, ending their time in the program with a professional project. It is expected that students in the program take two courses a term. Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.

Texas Tech University's Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Innovation is a 30-credit program meant to prepare students for careers as strategic communicators. Most students in the program are already working professionals in the field, so the program is offered entirely online and scheduling is very flexible. The curriculum is made up of nine courses and a final project. All students complete core courses before moving onto their choice of electives, which can include topics like Advanced Social Media Practice, Multimedia Storytelling, Interpersonal Communication, and more. Applicants must have had an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. They'll also have to submit a writing sample.

University of Iowa's Master's in Strategic Communication program is designed for both those who are already working in the professional field and those aspiring to enter post-graduation. The professional-level curriculum prepares students with foundational and conceptual knowledge and the necessary skills to succeed in a variety of careers including crisis communication, political campaign development, social media communication, and more. The core courses focus on professional principles while electives give students the opportunity to dedicate time to a particular area in the field. Students complete a capstone project rather than a thesis, meant to prepare them for similar work once they've transitioned into the professional field.

The University of Missouri-Columbia is proud to offer an online Master of Arts in Journalism from the world's first journalism school, allowing students to select a concentration in Health Communication, Interactive Media, Media Management, or Strategic Communication. Faculty members have been consistently recognized as practicing and accomplished journalists, so students have the benefit of learning from those with professional experience. The core courses make up ten to 12 credits, while the remaining credits are dedicated to the student's concentration courses and a capstone project. The core courses consist of Mass Media Seminar, Media Ethics, Quantitative/Qualitative Research Methods, and a Professional Seminar. These courses provide a foundation for students to thrive in their concentration area.

The Master of Arts in Journalism at Ball State can be earned entirely online or in a hybrid format. The program is designed for both recent college graduates and those who are in the midst of their professional career. The 36-credit program offers two specialization areas, either Media Analytics or Management, Reporting, and Storytelling. The core curriculum is only made up of three courses, ensuring students have the time and space to study their more particular interests in the field. Both specialization areas require a Research Methods course to prepare students to create their own Capstone Project or thesis. Some may opt to complete a practicum or internship to fulfill their thesis.

The Master of Science in Digital Communication Analytics from the University of North Texas is an accelerated online program, offering courses that last eight weeks with five available start dates each year. The program is designed for professionals in communications, marketing, advertising, and public relations who are looking to learn data analysis abilities in order to increase their career opportunities. The curriculum focuses on achieving the knowledge necessary to extract, report, model, and analyze communications data. The degree can be earned in only two years, but students may choose to take breaks in-between courses.

Liberty University's Master of Arts in Communication is a completely online, 33-credit program meant to take under two years to complete. The program gives students the tools necessary to maximize leadership and impact on a business, through training in decision-making, critical thinking and analysis, and more. As Liberty is a proud Christian university, students will participate in courses that encourage analysis through a biblical lens. Course topics may include Strategic Storytelling, Effective Social Media, and Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Graduates will enter the field having completed a professional portfolio throughout the program, designed to prove their expertise.

Colorado State University's Master of Communications and Media Management is a hybrid program, combining on-campus courses with online electives. The curriculum is designed for those who are already in the field with further in-demand skills and knowledge, preparing them for a higher level of success. Students will be trained in the use, diffusion, and impacts of new communication technologies, as well as skills necessary to write and deliver content using digital media. There's also emphasis placed on the importance of ethical decision-making, and courses will equip students with those values as well. The degree is meant to be earned within six semesters. On-campus classes take place once a week.

The Master of Science in Communication program from Mississippi College allows students the flexibility of studying their specific interests in the field. Graduates are prepared both for career opportunities in a variety of fields as well as doctoral programs. The online program is a total of 31 credits, made up of six core courses and 15 credits of electives. Elective courses can cover topics like Intercultural Communication, Negotiation, and Science Communication. Within the communication program, students may select a concentration in Journalism, Theatre, Generalist Studies, Sports Communication, or Corporate Communication. The on-campus program requires students to complete a thesis and field placement, while the online degree program does not.

The Master of Arts in Communications Management from Webster University is a flexible online program designed for working professionals. Core courses make up 21 of the required 36 credits in the curriculum, consisting of topics that cover all aspects of the field. These courses include Media and Culture, Organizational Communications, Media Production Management, and more. Electives allow students to dedicate time to an area that particularly interests them. The program builds towards a holistic understanding of communications that allow graduates to enter or return to the field with innovative ideas and solutions. All accepted students must meet with an academic advisor prior to course registration.

South Dakota State University's Master of Mass Communication is an advanced and professional program, designed for those who consider themselves mid-career professionals in journalism or mass communication. The program is intended to make these individuals more marketable candidates for career growth and opportunities. Courses take place over eight weeks and can be completed entirely online. The required courses lay the foundational topics, theories, and research of the field which prepares students to complete a research or design paper. Some may opt-out of the research paper and complete more electives. Elective topics include Women in Media, International Media, Health Journalism, and more.

American University's Master of Arts in Strategic Communication gives students the opportunity to learn from a dynamic faculty team of accomplished writers, documentarians, correspondents, PR experts, politicians, and social change advocates, all in preparation for the pursuit of careers like those and more. Students are equipped with strategic tools and insights that allow them to enter the professional field with creative and innovative ideas and solutions. The online program can be completed in less than two years and admits students on a rolling basis. American also offers an MA in Political Communication. Both programs require a statement of purpose, which should prove a student's serious dedication to the field.

The University of Alabama offers a Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a specialization in Organizational Leadership. The online program is a total of 30 credit hours and prepares students with an in-depth understanding of the theories behind communication. The Organizational Leadership curriculum then focuses in on the skills necessary to apply that theory and research to practice. Specific topics include the theory and applied aspects of public discussion, negotiation, persuasion, and interpersonal communication. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 in their undergraduate degree or previous master's degree. GRE scores or MAT scores are required.

Austin Peay State University designed their Master of Arts in Communication Arts for both working professionals in pursuit of career growth and full-time graduate students. Classes last eight weeks and are taken entirely online, equipping students with the skills necessary to go onto successful careers in public relations, human resources, strategic planning, management, and even non-profit work. Concentrations are offered in Marketing Communication, Media Management. There are specializations in Corporate Communication or just General Communication. Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 and a verbal and quantitative GRE score of 140.

The Queens University of Charlotte designed its Master of Arts in Communication degree to prepare students for vital information analysis and the application of communication theory and frameworks to solve current issues and questions in the field. A concentration in Integrated Digital Strategy is available as well, which focuses on the application of communication specific to digital and social media platforms. Coursework is completed online and gives students knowledge of human behavior in the context of communication and organization dynamics. All students complete a capstone project which can cover an array of topics as they related to communication including social justice movements, ad campaigns, social media influence, and more.

Troy University's program, the Master of Science in Strategic Communication, is designed to prepare graduates who are interested in a variety of careers, as the curriculum recognizes the role of communication in nearly all areas of expertise. Graduates are also readily prepared for doctoral studies in many fields. The 30-credit program can be completed in one year and entirely online. The core curriculum is made up of only five courses, and students then fill in their degree with electives that suit their interests. Electives may be in Leadership and Media Strategies, Contemporary Issues, Global Communication, Media Management, and more.

Marist College's Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication has the goal of training marketing professionals in the creation and implementation of strategic marketing plans. The curriculum is designed to be cohesive, teaching students all of the ways in which communication is multifaceted and how all of its aspects must be analyzed holistically. With this understanding at the core of the program, course topics include advertising, public relations, social media, marketing research, analytical tools, and more. The 30-credit program is entirely asynchronous and can be completed at either a full or part-time pace. At full-time, the degree can be earned in a year.

WSU's online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication is a highly competitive program designed for those already working professionally in advertising, public relations, corporate communication, and communication management. The curriculum focuses on the use of advanced media tools, data-based communication plans, and project design and development, and more to prepare graduates for career growth and opportunity. Coursework reflects on the importance of research methods and how they influence practice in the field. The 30-credit program requires courses in Ethics, Professional Multimedia Content Creation, Marketing Communication Management and Campaigns, as well as a final capstone project.

Northern Arizona University offers students a Master of Arts in Communication program which can be taken either with a general Communication emphasis, or a Documentary Studies emphasis. The Documentary Studies emphasis is recommended to students interested in journalism or media studies. Regardless of the emphasis chosen, students take courses that discuss communication theories, concepts, and constructs, and current research methods in the field. Graduates are ready for a variety of careers or further education. The curriculum prepares students with the necessary understanding of how relationships are mediated by technology and influenced by global and social conditions. The 36-credit program requires applicants to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.

California Baptist University designed their Master of Arts in Strategic Communication to prepare students with advanced knowledge of the historical, cultural, social, global, and political aspects of the field. CBU is also proud to challenge students to integrate biblical thought into their contemporary studies and contexts. Graduates are candidates for careers in management, public health, community relations, public affairs, conflict mediation, market research, and law. The curriculum takes students through not only the theory behind communications but its application in a variety of contexts. The program is a total of 30 credits that are typically completed in a year as coursework is completed entirely online. Applicants should have at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA.

The Master of Arts in Communications at Western New England University prepares students with an in-depth understanding of the field and how to use publicity to enhance the success of an organization. The 30-credit program can be completed in as few as 15 months, and all coursework is completed online. The program's curriculum sets students up to earn a concentration in Public Relations. The focus on PR gives students knowledge and intuition which becomes vital in the age of globalization. This program teaches students how to strategize PR matters in an age of online presence and media. Course topics include Crisis Management, Principles and Practices of Public Relations, Strategies for Social and Digital Media, and more.

The Master's in Communications from Missouri State is offered in both a traditionally paced route or an accelerated route. The traditional master's program is 32-credits with most courses being offered online or in the evenings as the program has been designed to accommodate working professionals. Students benefit from the experience of faculty members who are published experts in the field. Research opportunities are also available. Students may opt to complete a thesis based on original research, or complete a seminar paper and presentation. There's a required exam prior to graduation for all students. All applicants are required to hold an undergraduate degree in Communication or a related discipline as well as submitting GRE scores.

Gonzaga University's Master's in Communication & Leadership is an online program with a dynamic curriculum. Through elective choices from both the MIC and the close Master's in Organizational Leadership program, students can customize their degree to suit their interests in the field. All students must complete one on-campus immersion course in addition to the online coursework. There are also study abroad options available to those enrolled in the online graduate program. The 30-credit program takes approximately two years to complete, and graduates will enter the field with advanced skills and knowledge that has readied them for higher paid opportunities.

The Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania prepares students for careers in a variety of fields, as the curriculum recognizes how communication is a discourse important to virtually every career that engages with people. Students have four communication-based emphases to choose from: Managerial and Leadership; Integrated Marketing; Intercultural & International Comm; and Public Communication. Regardless of the chosen emphasis, students complete nine credits of core courses, three dedicated to types of research and theory, and one ethics course. Twenty-seven credits are fulfilled by electives, either in the chosen emphasis or in addition to it.