A master’s in political communication falls under the larger umbrella of communication studies in almost all cases. Political communication is usually one of the specialization areas or concentrations of a master’s in communication degree. Therefore, much of the coursework is common to that program, with specific courses related to political communication added in. 

An online master’s degree in political communication investigates the continuously evolving relationship between the media, politics, and the general public, as well as how these overlapping relationships influence democracy and power distribution in contemporary society. Aspects of contemporary political communication addressed by the program include the function of spin, public relations, political reporting in the media, agenda-setting, the use of digital media, and political advertising. The impact of various political communication tactics on the political process, government policymaking, and the non-governmental sector are examined in the various courses of this program. 

A typical online master’s degree in political communication consists of core courses, elective courses, and one or two capstone projects. Some programs may include a thesis or a brief internship. Here is a list of some of the courses students can expect in the curriculum of a political communication masters: 

Some of the electives typically found in an online masters in political communication include but are not limited to: 

Types of Master’s Degree in Political Communication

There are predominantly two types of political communication degrees – the Master of Arts in Political Communication, or MA Political Communication, and the Master of Science in Political Communication, or MS Political Communication.

1. Master of Arts in Political Communication
   The Master of Arts or MA in political communication is an interdisciplinary degree that includes liberal arts and humanities studies. This type of degree typically includes basic courses that focus on political communication theory and methodologies, as well as a modern language. The online MA in political communication degree is designed for people who want to continue their education with a Ph.D. degree in political communication and/or pursue a career in academia.
2. Master of Science in Political Communication
   The Master of Science or MS in political communication is a scientific and technical-oriented degree that includes mathematics and science subjects. Core classes in political communication theory and research, as well as math, science, statistics, and calculus, make up this degree type. The online MS in political communication degree is designed for students who want to pursue a doctoral degree in political communication and/or enter take-up jobs in the field right after graduation.

Areas of Specializations for Online Masters in Political Communication

An unconfirmed report cites that only 16 universities offer a master’s in political communication degree program, independent from a master’s in communication (general). Most programs available in this space are masters in communication with a major or concentration in political communication. Therefore, there are no specialization areas within political communication, although some colleges will require students to choose over 3 concentration courses to complete the program. Examples of such concentration courses include:

Many colleges offer other branches in communication that relate to political communication. While these are not specializations, they can make compelling alternatives. Some examples are:

1. Global/International Communication
2. Health Communication
3. Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)
4. Mass Communication
5. Organizational Communication
6. Scientific Communication
7. Strategic Communication
8. Technical Communication
9. Public Interest Communication

Why should I do a Master’s Degree in Political Communication?

A master’s in political communication degree program will examine how interactions between (non-)governmental officials, politicians, journalists, and citizens take shape, as well as the characteristics and impacts that these interactions have. Students will discover how social media promotes political engagement and how citizens’ use of media impacts political processes and outcomes, through study and research. They will learn who tries to sway the news, how strong the media actually is, and how this varies by country.  

Usually, the political communication master’s program covers a wide range of topics, always considering current events and trends, and from an open, international, and comparative perspective. The advent of weblogs and citizen journalism, rising globalization, agenda-setting, and the framing of socially relevant issues by the media, politicians, spin doctors, and other stakeholders are examples of topics covered in this program. 

While Payscale reports that individuals with a master of arts in political communication can earn around $82,000 a year, there is no credible statistical information on growth prospects. 

Individuals who want to learn how conventional and social media influence political engagement and who have an interest in the interplay between the public, the media, and politics are best suited to take up a political communication master’s degree program. Among the skills, graduates of the program will acquire include the ability to: 

• construct well-thought-out arguments, synthesize pertinent data, and exercise critical judgment;
• demonstrate extensive knowledge of the various types of communications and the context-dependent nature of strategic communication choices for political and social issues;
• write political speeches based on multiple factors and contexts;
• apply policy-relevant concepts, theories, and approaches to current challenges and situations;
• gain knowledge and understanding of the most important legal, economic, and political communication and advocacy aspects in the United States and worldwide politics;
• able to recognize, explore, analyze, formulate, and advocate for problem-solving solutions;
• use broad theoretical and conceptual frameworks to analyze specific concerns and problems in domestic, regional, and international contexts; and
• assess the interrelationships between the literature and methodology of public policy, politics, and international relations, as well as allied disciplines including law, political theory, economics, history, and sociology, as they pertain to political communication and lobbying.

How to get Online Masters in Political Communication?

The great majority of master’s in political communication online degree programs offered in the United States will have similar entry criteria. Students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than communications may be required to take preparatory courses in mathematics, statistics, and languages in addition to the more standard prerequisites. Some of the most important masters in political communication requirements are:

• Application for Admission
• Application Fee
• Official Academic Transcripts
• Undergraduate Degree (preferably in communications or a related discipline)
• Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8 on a scale of 4.0 (varies by school)
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Scores (required by some schools)
• Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose
• Graduate Resume (that includes professional and educational history)
• At least 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Proof of English Proficiency (if the native tongue is or education was not in English)

Note: The requirements and prerequisites for admission differ by college and program. To learn more about the specific requirements, students should go through the college prospectus, contact the admissions office, or consult with the communications department at the school of their choice.

How long does it take to complete an Online Master’s Degree in Political Communication?

The length of a master’s degree in political communications varies based on the curriculum, program, and school chosen. Most online master’s in communication programs can be finished in less than two years as a general rule. Students with a solid background in languages and social sciences may be able to complete the degree more quickly. Some schools allow students to work part-time while earning their political communications master’s degree. This option may be ideal for working people, but it may take longer to complete the program. Aside from the program delivery mode, the selected courses and coursework load have a considerable impact on how long it takes to earn a master’s degree in political communications. Other factors to consider are whether asynchronous learning is available, which could lead to early graduation, or whether cohort learning is applied, in which students progress through their curriculum at the same time as their classmates and thus accumulate academic credits more slowly than asynchronous learning.

Listed below is a rough idea of how long an online master’s in political communication program might take:

Typical Length of a Full-Time Political Communication Master’s	1 to 2 years
Typical Length of a Part-Time Political Communication Master’s	2 Years or more
Number of Required Credits	30 to 40 (approximate)

Accreditation for Online Master’s Degree in Political Communication

Accreditation is a process that evaluates colleges and programs to ensure that they meet certain standards of quality. It is a way to ensure that students are getting the best education possible. Students who attend an accredited school or program can be sure that the institution has been thoroughly evaluated and meets certain standards of quality. Accreditation can make it easier to transfer credits between schools. It can also help students qualify for financial aid and scholarships and is usually required for some types of professional certification. 

Regional accrediting bodies can accredit colleges, as long as they are approved by either or both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Here is a list of the six authorized regional accrediting bodies in the U.S.: 

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) 
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) 
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) 
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) 

The accreditation status of a school or program can be checked online on the official U.S Department of Education website or using a credible source like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). 

Apart from regional accreditation, political communication programs may also be programmatically accredited. A political communication degree that is accredited demonstrates that the institution has satisfied the precise standards for certification in political communications. An example of specialized accreditation is the Accreditation Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), which accredits professional journalism and mass communications programs. Although it is preferable to have a specialist-accredited master’s degree, a degree from a regionally recognized college will also work just as well. 

Read more about accreditation in the detailed Accreditation Guide. 

While many colleges have made Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores a criterion for admission to master’s degree programs, most colleges offering online master’s in political communications programs have relaxed or eliminated this requirement as a condition for enrollment. Here are a few examples of online master’s in political communication programs that do not require the GRE or the GMAT: 

1. The American University
   The American University (AU) offers a Master of Arts in political communication that does not require the GRE for application to the program. 
2. Emerson College
   Emerson College offers a Master of Arts in political communication and other communication degrees for which the GRE is not an admission requirement. 
3. The George Washington University
   The George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs offers a Political Communication major that does not require the GRE for enrollment. However, if an applicant feels that submitting scores for the GRE will strengthen their application, they are welcome to submit them. 

Some students like to complete their master’s degree in political communication as quickly as possible – faster than the usual 1 or 2 years it takes to graduate from the program. While some online master’s in political communication programs can be completed within one year, others take 15 to 18 months, which is shorter than the standard 24-month master’s degree. Another option available at some universities is a 4+1 program, which allows students to finish both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 5 years rather than the traditional 6 years. Here is an example of an online accelerated master’s degree in political communication: 

Emerson College 

Emerson College offers a combined Bachelor and Master of Arts in political communication that can be completed in a total of 5 years, instead of the standard 6 years. Additionally, this accelerated program does not require GRE scores for admission.