Online Master's in Communication Program Overview
Earn a master’s degree that’s flexible and adaptable to your career aspirations.
The 100% online Master of Arts in Communication offered by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) helps you build strategic communication skills with applications in a wide variety of industries and jobs. Our faculty are highly skilled practitioners in the field with industry connections and award-winning publications. Program features include 8-week courses, rolling admissions, and no on-campus requirements.
Marketing, public relations, human resources, and management positions are some of the career paths communication graduates pursue, but this degree has countless applications. With the option to choose a thesis track or a capstone track, the MA in Communication can be customized to your goals and interests, such as research and scholarship or hands-on projects.
Program at a Glance
Degree Program:
Master of Arts in Communication
Offered By:
College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Tuition:
Cost Per Credit:
$710*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Cost Per Credit:
$811*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Priority Application Deadline:
Credit Hours:
33
MA in Communication Course Overview
The Master's in Communication online program curriculum offers courses in a wide array of topics so you can choose the perfect mix for your career goals and aspirations. From social media management to workplace communication, experienced faculty teach courses that give you hands-on assignments and opportunities to develop skills for real-world application.
Courses are eight (8) weeks long and offered fully online with no in-person requirements. Students can choose a thesis or a capstone pathway for the program.
The MA in Communication online program can be completed in as few as 24 months (2 years), depending on the course load you choose. Studying online can help you balance other commitments in your life, and we encourage students to have a plan for completing coursework alongside work, family, travel, and other obligations they may have.
Learning outcomes include:
Communication theory and data for all kinds of industries and contexts
Communication approaches for a diverse audience
How to present your oral and written ideas creatively, effectively and ethically
Strategies for using research and data to analyze, gain insights, and provide solutions
Foundational skills that you can use for your entire career
Persuasion, professionalism, and ethics in written communication
The MA Comm program has a few differences depending on whether a student chooses the Capstone or Thesis pathway. Both options require 33 credit hours, but thesis students take six (6) thesis credits, requiring one fewer elective and no capstone course.
- Thesis Pathway
- Develop a thesis proposal and if approved, complete a master’s thesis
- Capstone Pathway
- Take COMM 6050 Graduate Capstone Experience and complete a final project
Core courses make up 12 credit hours of the 33 total credit hours of the program:
- COMM 5010: Communication Theories in Contemporary Contexts
- COMM 6030: Research as Problem Solving
- COMM 6040: Drawing Insights from Data
- COMM 6050: Communication Graduate Capstone Experience (not required with thesis path)
Elective courses make up the remaining 21 credit hours of the 33 total credit hours of the program. Elective course options include:
- COMM 5050: Managing Social Media
- COMM 5190: Advanced Virtual Presentations
- COMM 5230: Crisis Communication
- COMM 5330: Gender and Leadership
- COMM 5250: Conflict and Negotiation
- COMM 5350: Integrated Marketing Communication
- COMM 5600: Virtual Teams
- COMM 5770: Leadership Communication in a Global Environment
- COMM 5820: Multicultural Diversity and Workplace Communication
- COMM 5950: Seminar in Leadership and Organizational Change
- COMM 6020: Communication Research Practicum
- COMM 6090: Emerging Communication Technologies
- COMM 6140: Media Effects
- COMM 6160: Creating a Learning Organization
- COMM 6180: Virtual Training and Facilitation
- COMM 6250: Special Topics Course (course options include Problems in Communication, Video Production for Social Media, Storytelling for Strategic Leadership, Sports Media, etc.)
- COMM 6690: Internship in Communication (Graduate Level)
- COMM 6740: Entertainment Theory and Research
- COMM 9500: Independent Study in Communication - Graduate Level (Instructor approval required)
- COMM 5050: Managing Social Media
- The course focuses on social media use in strategic communication. Students will learn how to manage themselves and others in a digital landscape, about the strategic use of social media, tactics for content creation and engagement, and how to measure campaign success.
- COMM 5350: Integrated Marketing Communication
- This course provides you with the knowledge and skills to create holistic and integrated strategic communication and brand campaigns by focusing on strategies used in contemporary organizational practices. The course highlights diverse communication tactics and mediums including traditional and social media advertising, public relations, and digital communication. This course is excellent for anyone interested in creating and evaluating effective communication campaigns that span the entirety of an organization, from internal stakeholders such as employees to local and global external audiences.
- COMM 6140: Media Effects
- This course is an overview of a broad range of media theories that have examined media as a social force, that have explored factors affecting individuals’ selection and perceptions of media messages, and that have studied how media affect viewers’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
Communications Field Career Data
Every industry needs skilled communicators. A communication degree can position you for several career pathways, from marketing to C-suite executive leadership. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 23% of people employed in the communications field have an advanced degree.
Communication professionals work in all kinds of occupational fields and jobs, including:
- Management, human resources, and business operations
- Marketing, sales and public relations
- Art, design, entertainment, sports, and media
- Education and teaching
$133,380
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
$93,000
Management Analysts and Consultants
$63,920
Marketing Specialists and Market Research Analysts
$98,100
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
Data retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); Median Annual Wage (2021)
Take the First Step
Complete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Tuition and Fees
At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
Students in the online MA in Communication program are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships. Currently there are 12 graduate assistantships ($2,000 each). Four of these assistantships come with a one-time $2,000 matching tuition reduction.
Complete the formComplete the form on this page to connect with our Enrollment Team and get more information about tuition, fees, scholarships, and financial aid.
In State Cost Per Credit:
$686
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Out of State Cost Per Credit:
$788
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education. Our Enrollment Navigators can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to transfer credits and corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree. Complete the formComplete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a UCCS Online program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
- Scholarships | You may be eligible for scholarships at UCCS. We offer many scholarships and grants to students who are ready to earn their degrees and achieve success. Between both UCCS-offered and external scholarships, our students earned more than $10 million in scholarship awards last year alone.
- WICHE | The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) has given many students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming the opportunity to study at UCCS. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) allows WICHE-region students to attend select out-of-state graduate certificate, master’s, and doctoral programs – and pay up to 150 percent of resident tuition.
UCCS Online is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a UCCS Online student, you will have access to the UCCS Veteran and Military Affairs, which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success. UCCS is a proud home campus to many veteran and military students.
Eligible veteran and military students may use veteran benefits, military tuition assistance, and/or financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with UCCS Online include:
- Waived application fee for active duty and veterans
- Military benefits approved program
Connect with our Enrollment NavigatorsConnect with our Enrollment Navigators to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
All students are automatically opted in to the TAAP program with the choice to opt out. The TAAP program provides all your course materials for one flat fee per credit hour. That means no more time spent searching for, ordering, and paying out of pocket for your own course materials.
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits as part of their employee compensation program. Generally, these policies determine a set number of credit hours per year that the company will pay for on behalf of the student/employee. Some policies place a cap on eligible tuition dollars and related expenses while others reimburse employees on a per-credit-hour basis. Get in touch with your organization's human resources department to learn more about your educational benefits.
Admissions Information
You don’t need to have an undergraduate degree in communication to be eligible or a good fit for this program. The MA in Communication program is relevant for anyone who wants to build skills in communication, leadership, and making data-driven communication decisions.
We want to make the admissions process accessible, inclusive, and relevant to your professional situation and goals. The GRE is not required for this program, and the writing samples we require in the application process can come from either scholarly or professional writing. For the application process, you will need:
- A Tuition Classification Form (if you intend to claim in-state tuition eligibility)
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended (overall GPA of 3.0 or higher expected)
- A sample of scholarly or professional writing
- A statement of purpose
- $60 application fee
Students are admitted three times per year with start dates in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Start the application process by filling out the formfilling out the form on this page.
UCCS accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process. However, submitting your application by the preferred deadlines is advisable.
Our stated application deadlines are as follows, but we admit students up to a week before the semester starts. We have also started admitting students mid-semester before Session B begins.
- Fall Semester: Priority February 1; Final August 1
- Spring Semester: Priority October 1; Final December 15
- Summer Semester: Priority March 1; Final April 15
- Spring 2025 A – January 21, 2025
- Spring 2025 B – March 18, 2025
- Fall 2025 A – August 25, 2025
- Fall 2025 B – October 22, 2025
MA Communications Graduate and Student Success Stories
"I’ve been pushed, mentored, and constructively critiqued by both my lecturers and fellow peers, and I am beyond grateful. Plus, it’s been enjoyable! Especially aligning courses with my passion and exploring areas outside of my comfort zone."
"The Online MA in Communication has been an outstanding experience. The classes are robust and engaging, and they relate directly to my career – so I can complete a lesson at night and immediately apply it at work the next morning."
"I’m so thankful for this program and the incredible education you have all provided. It has added so much to my life. I'm also thankful for each of you for the care and expertise you offer to each of your classes and mentorship."
"…this program was exactly where I was supposed to be and would allow me to not only meet but surpass my goals of growing as a communication practitioner and researcher, specifically in the sport industry."
Expand Your Opportunities
Earn an education that creates opportunity. Start the admissions process with an enrollment advisor by filling out the form on this page today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The demand for online graduate degrees in communication is fueled by the growing need for professionals with digital marketing skills, branding expertise, and knowledge of digital media. Burning Glass Technologies reported a 14% increase in job postings for marketing professionals with digital skills, including experience in social media, search engine optimization, and web analytics (2020). The report also states that demand for communication professionals with expertise in branding, digital media, and organizational communication is on the rise.
Besides the growing market for strong communicators, this field of study helps you build skills that you can use in every level of your career and in every position you occupy, even if it isn't directly connected to the field of communication.
There are two key reasons to consider earning your Master's degree in the communications field:
-
Change or Grow Your Career
Show employers you’re prepared to lead. If you’re considering a move to another career path or a more advanced role, a communications degree equips you with written and oral communication skills, real-world projects and assignments, and foundational knowledge that can apply to a variety of roles from public relations to teaching. -
Continue Your Education
Prepare for the next phase of your education in a doctoral degree program. Graduates from this program could consider earning a terminal degree in communication, leadership, business, media studies, or a similar area of study.
No, you do not need to have a background in communication to earn your Master of Arts in Communication. Although many of our students have undergraduate degrees in communication like media studies and journalism, students from all backgrounds can benefit from this curriculum, including business, health sciences, and education.
We’re here to help. We emphasize to all students that faculty members are here for them. As faculty seek to connect with you, feel free to use their flexible office hours or contact them if you need additional help. We also offer tutoring and connection opportunities with graduate peer mentors, along with ample resources for online students through UCCS.
A common barrier to success is time management, especially if you are working a full-time job. The online format offers more flexibility and the opportunity to develop better balance among your commitments, but having a plan for completing your studies each week can help you get on track to success early.
Online courses at the University of Colorado are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you are receiving the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS). You will be responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course.
The Master of Arts in Communication is offered fully online, which means you will not be required to take courses at our campus and there are no on-campus components to this program.