Online Masters in Communication

Before applying and getting admitted into an online master’s in communication program, it is essential to understand the communication program in depth. To begin with, online programs are almost entirely off-campus and require students to pursue their master’s degree in an online learning environment. In a communications program, online students engage themselves in diverse topics, ranging from strategic communications and communication theory to organizational communication and health communication.

The following sections shed more light on communications programs, what this online master entails, details on specializations and accreditation, and more.

Specializations in an Online Master’s in Communication Program

Master’s in communication programs offer several specializations in key focus areas of the subject. While in most cases, core courses tend to be largely common, electives and concentrations make for a point of specialization, through which students can open many more career paths for themselves. Here are some of the most popular concentration areas and specializations in master’s in communication programs:

• Health Communication
• Strategic Communication
• Public Relations
• Political Communication
• Corporate and Organizational Communication
• Media, Mass Communication and Journalism
• Technical Communication
• Interpersonal Communication
• Audience Analytics
  Audience Analytics provides students with a thorough understanding of consumer and audience research methods and analytics. They learn how to use various analytical tools and methodological underpinnings to assess and analyze audience-related datasets and determine how to use such data to make informed decisions. The University of Florida offers an online Master of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Audience Analytics.
• Global Strategic Communication
  The global strategic communication concentration educates students on how to effectively communicate across cultures and geographic borders in order to propose answers to global issues such as climate change, immigration, poverty, human rights, business ethics, education, and more. Students learn how to address problems on a global scale by employing strategic interpersonal communication skills while taking cultural factors into account. This focus provides students with the tools and abilities they need to use intelligent and strategic communication to take on some of the world’s most challenging issues.
• Political Communication
  With a focus on digital political communication, students can learn about the most cutting-edge methods of online participation and campaign monitoring. To increase political participation and effect change, students use the current campaigning instruments at their disposal. An important part of the course is learning the ability to use cutting-edge political technology and paid communication to impact change and rally people, as well as the ability to maximize political engagement using digital tools.
• Public Interest Communication
  A focus on public interest communication has grown in popularity as a multidisciplinary, systems-level study with strategic implications that extend beyond an organization’s communications function. Students who choose this emphasis will gain the skills, methods, concepts, and techniques necessary to create movements and drive positive social change through strategic communication. This multidisciplinary program relies on practice and scholarship in public relations, journalism, advertising, psychology, sociology, political science, anthropology, and neuroscience and incorporates both academic and practical work.
• Web Design
  A web design concentration will teach students how to build websites from the ground up by learning to code HTML, JavaScript, and other languages, as well as provide them the confidence and abilities they need to create dynamic websites tailored to the needs of clients and audiences. Students will apply the ideas and aspects of design to online landscapes, design effective communications campaigns, and produce branded messaging for digital platforms, in addition to learning how to utilize design applications like InDesign and Illustrator efficiently.
• Social Media
  Students who major in social media marketing learn how to handle its entire process, including writing, video production, and brand promotion, among others. Students learn how to use research to guide content development, construct effective advertising and public relations campaigns, and use new and emerging technologies to reach out to their target audience. They will also learn how to put all these skills together to create distinctive narratives that appeal to and engage their target audience in meaningful ways. Graduates will be able to apply best practices across all major social media platforms, as well as schedule and manage social media accounts for their clients.
• Digital Strategy
  The concentration in digital strategy is intended to enable students to create effective messaging that will boost conversions and build long-term brand loyalty among their target consumers. Students in digital strategy classes learn everything from online ad buying to inbound marketing, including lead creation and management, engagement, conversions, and more. The curriculum teaches students how to generate leads using creative and strategic messaging, how to create meaningful branding that resonates with customers, how to write compelling copy for any digital channel, including websites, email marketing, and social media, and how to use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to improve business outcomes.

Timeline for Online Communication Master’s Programs

Most graduate programs take an average of two years to complete, and communication degree programs also require about the same time. However, the exact length and duration of the communications program vary by college, specialization, and coursework, and whether or not the online program is being pursued full-time or part-time. Part-time communication studies usually require at least three years to culminate in a master’s degree.

Accreditation for Communications Programs

Accreditation is very important when choosing a master’s degree. It becomes even more important for an online master’s in communication program. With so many online programs available, the quality of the program becomes a huge determinant? Prospective students can be confident about the quality of the communication program is accredited by independent organizations such as The American Communication Association (ACA), or Accrediting Council of Education in Journal, and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). Many online master’s programs are accredited by national accrediting associations or regional accrediting bodies. A regionally accredited institution or accredited online program guarantees quality faculty members and easier access to financial aid and endorses the overall quality of the degree program as well. More information on accreditation is in the Best Accreditation Guide.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for an online master’s in communications degree program vary by university. The requirements also depend on the applicant’s background, bachelor’s degree, professional experience, etc. But some common admission requirements include:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree
• Professional communications experience.
• Two to three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or coworkers.
• Standardized test scores, such as the GRE
• Bachelor’s degree transcripts
• Statement of Purpose

It is important to know that a lot of the above requirements may not apply to many online master’s and/or can be waived depending on the school that is offering the program.

Curriculum & Skills Gained from Master’s in Communication Programs

The curriculum and courses of a communication online master are an extension of those found in a bachelor’s degree. However, they largely depend upon the school and the chosen specialization of the communication program. But most universities divide their master’s in communication program into three areas – 1) Core Courses, 2) Elective Courses, and 3) Capstone Courses. Here are some core courses and topics one can expect in an online masters in communication program:

• Strategic Communication Management
• Organizational Communication
• Leadership in Communication
• Internet Impact and Policy
• Branding
• Digital Communication Techniques
• Ethics in Communication
• Crisis Communication
• Media Literacy
• Visual Data Communication
• Healthcare Communication
• Intercultural Communication
• Interpersonal Communication
• Integrated Communication
• Professional Social Media
• Media Production Management
• Communication Skills & Professional Writing
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Social Media Marketing
• Digital Media Strategies
• Organizational Development & Organizational Communications
• Communication Theory
• Advanced Communication Theory
• Communication Research
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Political Communication
• Public Relations
• Digital Communication
• Mass Communication
• Public and Media Relations

Online programs and communication studies, prepare graduates to take on diverse roles in the world of communications, and work in various settings. Here are a few examples:

• Crisis Communication
• Communication Research
• Technical Communication
• Marketing Communications
• Strategic Communications
• Corporate Communication
• Public & Media Relations
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Public Relations
• Health Communication
• Political Communication
• Digital Communication
• Mass Communication

Unlike individuals who hold only a bachelor’s degree, graduates of an online master’s in communications can also take on college teaching jobs, or leadership positions in their field. The following are some career-field options, along with annual median pay as reported by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), communication studies graduates are qualified for:

• Announcers: $31,500
• College Professors: $76,000
• Editors: $58,770
• Photographers: $32,490
• Public Relations Specialists: $59,300
• Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts: $40,910
• Technical Writers: $70,930
• Writers and Authors: $61,820

Here are some current communications listings at major employment websites or dedicated organizations for students who have completed their online master and hold a graduate degree:

• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Glassdoor
• Monster
• Society of Professional Journalists
• Adrants
• FlexJobs

Graduating from a communications program will certainly enhance careers. But when coupled with certifications and some licenses, it will most certainly open up several more career paths, and place one ahead of the competition. Certifications help students learn and acquire more knowledge and gain better communication skills in a specific area of the communications field. The following are some certifications and licensing options for graduates of online programs in communication to consider:

Certifications for Business Communicators

The Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC), a team of communication professionals assembled by IABC’s international executive board, has developed two certifications: The Communication Management Professional (CMP) certification and the Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification.

The Public Relations Society of America

For communication experts focused on public relations, the Public Relations Society of America offers three types of certification:

• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR): designed for experienced public relations professionals.
• Accreditation in Public Relations + Military Communication: for people interested in civilian or military positions in military communications.
• Certificate in Principles of Public Relations: for seniors in and recent graduates of university communication programs.

The International Association of Business Communicators

IABC offers two forms of certification in business communications: Communication Management Professional Certification, and Communication Management Professional (CMP), for generalists, specialists, and other business communicators established in their careers as managers and looking to demonstrate their competence.

Certified Journalist Institute

The Certified Journalist Institute and the Global Academy of Finance and Management awards certifications that can boost qualifications for employment.  The institute offers certifications including the CPS Certified Political Scientist, CPJ Certified in Political Journalism, CIR Certified Investigative Reporter, the CFR Certified Financial Reporter, and the CTJ Certified Technology Journalist.

American Medical Writers Association

The Medical Writing Certification Commission (MWCC), in collaboration with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA), has developed the Medical Writer Certified (MWC) credential that defines the scope of medical writing practice and distinguishes individuals in the field.  The MWC credentialing program is a rigorous, exam-based professional certification.  Professionals who hold this credential have demonstrated their understanding of medical writing core competencies.

Communications master’s students benefit from memberships in professional organizations and associations.  Members of these associations find opportunities for aiding their communication studies program, exploring careers, and networking with industry professionals. While one online learning consortium may focus on academic resources, another may host conferences, offer scholarships, career certifications, and advanced training across disciplines. Here are a few additional resources for students and working professionals to tap into:

Communications Associations

1. Social Media Association (SMA)
   In this era of ever-advancing communication options, the SMA helps its members to update their skills and take advantage of best practices in social media. Members participate in association events and have access to a contemporary blog of social media news.
2. American Communications Association (ACA)
   The ACA is a not-for-profit virtual professional association with an actual presence in the world of communication scholars and practitioners. ACA is committed to enabling the effective use of new and evolving technologies to facilitate communication instruction, research, and criticism, and to offering a technologically supportive venue for all who study how humans communicate. While the association is based in the U.S, it is a virtual organization that welcomes participation from academics and professionals throughout the world.
3. Society for Editing
   Members of this society include editing professionals, educators, and post-secondary students. It establishes standards of editorial excellence and networking opportunities for editors employed in journalism, business, and government.
4. National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)
   The NSPRA works to assure that university degree programs provide students with the necessary career skills in the planning and execution of public relations initiatives.
5. Association for Women in Communications (AWC)
   All disciplines in communication are supported by this national network for women professionals who work in communications. AWC provides scholarships and supports educational research.
6. Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
   The world’s largest society of public relations professionals, the PRSA assists its members in professional development. More than 10,000 members are affiliated with universities.
7. International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
   IABC membership is open to professionals who work in the business communication field. It offers its members access to educational resources, a business communications library certification, and an online journal.
8. The American Marketing Association (AMA)
   The American Marketing Association offers members access to resources for developing best marketing practices along with cutting-edge initiatives. The group pairs academic members with professional marketers to provide continuing education in integrated marketing communication.

Sources

• Media and Communications – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• The Cost of a Master’s Degree: 8 Drivers Within Your Control – Franklin University