Why This Matters
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MASTER THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER SOFT SKILLS
Communication is regularly listed as one of the most in-demand transferable skills by employers across all fields. Communications programs also sharpen your critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills.
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NEED FOR MARKETING MANAGERS INCREASING 10%
The need for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers, especially those with social media skills, is growing at a faster-than-average pace thanks to an increasing emphasis on digital marketing.
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EARN $60,000+ MORE PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE
Public relations manager positions, which typically require an advanced degree, earn a median wage of $125,780, compared to $62,800 per year for PR specialists, a bachelor’s-level position.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online Master’s in Communications programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list have been accredited by reputable organizations, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education and Middle States Commission on Higher Education, that assess the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of colleges and universities.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Communications programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 49 Master’s in Communications Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
While demand for communications majors is growing in some areas, particularly fundraising and social media marketing and management, employment in other communications-related fields is declining. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a nine percent drop in employment of broadcast reporters and correspondents as the journalism industry continues to change and fragment. Employment in public relations is predicted to grow as fast as average, so competition for jobs may be tough.
A specialization may help give you an edge in pursuing the types of jobs you want. Programs may offer concentrations focused on a specific industry, like healthcare, journalism, and advertising, or on particular skill-sets like social media, human resources, and media literacy and criticism. When considering a master’s in communication, you should decide if a specialization is needed for your career goals.
Although no formal credentialing is needed for most communications jobs, a number of associations exist to provide additional training and quality assurance to employers. These include the International Association of Business Communicators, the Events Industry Council, and the Public Relations Society of America. There may be annual dues required to join and maintain membership in these organizations.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Communications programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Some master’s in communications programs require students to have an undergraduate degree in communications or a related field. Be sure to check each program’s eligibility requirements to make sure you have a relevant education background.
- Does this program offer credit for having the APR credential? If you are currently a communications professional and have the Accreditation in Public Relations credential from the Public Relations Society of America, some programs will waive credits or requirements for you.
Once you have narrowed the list of programs that interest you, visit their websites or contact their admissions departments to research their admissions requirements and processes. You should also consider your options for paying for graduate school, including scholarships, assistantships, financial aid, and tuition benefits from your employer.