We’ve identified 35 accredited Online Masters in Communication (no GRE required). Want to launch your career in communications? Start here!
Good communication helps organizations thrive. Whether a nonprofit agency, a corporation or a political entity, all groups need skilled communicators to help them deliver their internal or public messages. A master’s degree in communication can prepare you to fill this critical role.
Becoming a more effective communicator can be beneficial for a number of career paths.
For example, human resources, public relations and marketing professionals can enhance their skills with a master’s in communication.
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Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Beginning in 1893, American University is a private postsecondary school University Washington DC that is known for using only renewable energy sources campus-wide. There is a variety of undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. programs at one of their eight schools or though the distinctive online education programs offered through AU. Business, education, and communication are a few of the many programs found at AU.
AU is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Arizona State University began a prosperous journey to becoming a distinguished public research institution in 1885. Today ASU has hundreds of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs in both in-class and online learning opportunities. With innovations in technology, health, and space exploration, Arizona State University is a leader in helping to make positive global change.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1890, Asbury University is a private, faith-based institution offering academic achievement and an opportunity to connect with others who share similar belief systems. With over fifty programs in seventeen disciplines, Asbury University has an array of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its distance learning program has eight-week courses that let students finish their degrees faster.
Asbury is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Ashland University is a private postsecondary institution that began in 1878 and has a variety of bachelor, masters, doctorate, and professional degree programs with both on-campus and online delivery options. Program majors range from business, communications, science, technology, and more. Grounded by its Christian background and beliefs, Ashland University strives to impact the global community positively.
Ashland is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Established in 1845 in Clarksville, Tennessee, Austin Peay State University is a public educational facility that offers an immense number of degree programs to help students achieve academic excellence while preparing them to solve real-world global problems. Austin Peay State University has many paths that can lead to an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree.
APSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
As the first postsecondary private school to offer an online MBA, Bellevue University excels in its distance learning programs, offering an array of programs that led to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Bellevue University started in 1966, and through a variety of name changes, became BU in 1994. BU serves students worldwide to obtain degrees in the areas of business, technology, education, and more.
Bellevue is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
As one of the first research educational institutions in the United States, Clark University began in 1887 as a private school with hopes to make the world a better place. Clark University has more than forty programs that can lead to bachelor’s, masters, or doctorate degrees in a variety of majors, including science, health, communications, aviation, business, and more.
Clark is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Founded in 1870 as a public flagship land grant, Colorado State University has grown into a large research university. They work to make the world a better place through research, and innovation is central to the academic and procedures that makeup CSU. Colorado State has more than fifty-five-degree baths that help students achieve either a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. They also excel in veterinary medicine.
CSU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Established in 1893, Concordia University, St. Paul is a private, faith-based organization that provides excellent academic studies with the idea of bettering the community and humankind. They offer an extensive collection of degree programs that range from business, communications, dance, music, science, health, and more that can lead to an associate, bachelor, masters, or doctorate.
CSP is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Established in 1891, Drexel University is a private research educational facility that works with students globally to help them earn either an undergraduate, graduate and doctorate. Drexel University takes pride in its international opportunities that allow students to work through research, global networking, internships, and study abroad programs to get hands-on experience in a variety of academic disciplines.
Drexel is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
East Carolina University began in 1907 and is now one of the leading public research institutions in North Carolina. Its reach stretches beyond NC, into almost all states, and seventy-three countries. ECU offers a variety of programs that can lead to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. Offering both on-campus and online programs, ECU has majors in health, education, technology, business, and more.
ECU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1895, Eastern Illinois University public postsecondary school that provides online and on-campus degree programs to a diverse student population. EIU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in over a hundred majors such as education, human services, health, and technology. There is a variety of study abroad programs that allow students to explore career options globally and develop skills needed to be more successful.
EIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Florida International University is a world-renowned public research university located in Miami, Florida. Established in 1965, it houses Florida’s only public university that offers a high degree in law and medicine. FIU also has a variety of programs that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to a global student population.
FIU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Fordham University began as a Catholic and Jesuit university in 1841 and has grown into a large, private research university in New York. FU works with students to find programs that prepare them to use their studies as a stepping stone for healing social inequalities in the world. Fordham University offers programs in a variety of programs that lead to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees.
Fordham is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the Middle States Association.
Gonzaga University is a private religious-based liberal arts college located in Spokane, Washington. Created in 1887, Gonzaga University works to integrate spirituality, thought, and communication into all its degree programs. GU offers seventy-five bachelor’s degree programs and more than twenty master’s programs. Students can also pursue a doctorate in leadership, nursing, or their JD in Law.
Gonzaga is accredited, as an institution, by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
As the first research university in the US, Johns Hopkins University began in 1876 and is now a world-renowned educational facility credited with innovations, technologies, and inventions that have a positive impact on the world. This private institution offers hundreds of programs that lead to undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral degree programs in an array of majors, including music, humanities, engineering, education, health, and business.
JHU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Founded in 1771, Liberty University is a faith-based private postsecondary school that offers programs through online educational opportunities and classrooms that embodies the entire United States and eighty other countries. Liberty University allows students to gain a certificate, bachelor, master’s, or doctoral degree in over 600 program areas, including medicine, communications, engineering, design, music, religion, law, and many more.
Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1962, Lynn University is known as one of the most innovative schools in the nation. Lynn University is a private educational facility that focuses on showing students their connection to each other, the world, and science. The award-winning core curriculum is the foundation for each associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs presented. Programs offered include business, education, communication, and more.
Lynn is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Maryville University began in 1872 as a private educational facility that now brings innovation and technology to the classroom. With over ninety undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs, Maryville University reaches across the US and forty-seven other counties. MU believes education should teach core values designed to meet the needs of real-world job skills.
Maryville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Starting in 1855, Michigan State University is a global leader in public research education institutions. Michigan State prides itself on having the ability to offer research opportunities to students in each of the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees offered. MSU is a firm believer that hands-on education will build critical thinkers and global leaders.
MSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Murray State University is a public educational facility located in Murray, Kentucky that found its beginnings in 1922. MSU has more than 143 programs that can lead to an associate, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree. Agricultural, engineering, telecommunications, and advertising are a few of the programs offered at Murray State University. Murray works to enhance student education using Co-ops and study abroad programs.
Murray State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Commission on Colleges.
National University started in 1971 and is a private educational institution that offers a variety of degree programs that lead to an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree to students around the world.
With over twenty campuses, NU has majors in business, education, STEM programs, communications, and more. National University has four-week degree programs that students can access through its excellent distance learning program.
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Established in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research college in the Boston area. NU offers several different pathways that lead to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. Northeastern has a vast number of co-ops that students can take part in to earn professional experience as they obtain their education.
Northeastern is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Beginning in 1899, Northern Arizona University started at a teacher training institution and has grown into a highly rated public research university in Flagstaff, Arizona. Northern Arizona University has more than 150 programs that led to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Research opportunities are vast. Staff and students present their research at conferences and schools all over the world.
NAU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus has been a front-runner in online education since 1998. As a public educational facility, PSUWC offers students worldwide a pathway to over 150 degrees that lead to an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. It even allows military members to transfer work experience into college credit. This nationally recognized university offers many programs, including business, communication, education, and more.
Penn State World Campus is regionally accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Beginning in 1869, Purdue University is an internationally recognized public research university that prides itself on the innovations made health, security, and sustainability globally. Offering a variety of programs that led to an associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, Purdue University has in-class and online programs to assist in all student’s educational needs.
Purdue is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1977, Regent University is a private Christian university located in Virginia Beach. Offering both online and in-class degree programs, Regent University can reach a diverse student population all over the world. RU has degree programs leading to an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and law degrees. Program majors include communications, business, education, and many more.
Regent is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Rider University is a private educational institution that started in 1865 as a mall business college. Since its beginning, Rider University has grown into a large university that offers an array of programs leading to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees. Both on-campus and online learning options are available. Rider is recognized for its on-campus sustainability by using renewable energy, recycling programs, bike racks, and organic gardens.
Rider is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Sam Houston State University is a public located in Texas that began in 1869. Sam Houston is one of the oldest educational institutions in the state and gains respect for its elite programs and student success. SHSU offers a variety of baccalaureate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in more than 170 areas of study, including business, educations, health, humanities, engineering, and more.
SHSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Beginning in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a large private educational facility that has over 200 programs that help students better their education on a global level. SNHU offers degree programs as distance learning opportunities for students to complete programs that lead to certificates, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees. Southern New Hampshire University is known for having one of the lowest tuitions in the nation.
SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Founded in 1872, Spring Arbor University is one of the largest private, postsecondary Christian academies in Michigan. Spring Arbor University strives to bring a spiritual connection to the education process and to the world. They offer programs that lead to an associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in many majors, including business, education, communication, leadership, and many more.
SAU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
St. Bonaventure University started in 1858 as a small private, faith-based college. Firm in its roots, St. Bonaventure University still holds the foundations of its Catholic-Franciscan education but is diverse in its population. St Bonaventure University prides itself on its multiple bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in many areas of study, including Business, communication, English, biology, and more.
St. Bonaventure is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Starting in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a flagship public educational institution that leads the way in research on a global perspective. U of I- Urbana-Champaign offers more than a hundred undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of program majors. They have professional and certificate programs available to students on campus and online. Their research facilities work to overcome everyday global issues.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill started its rich history in 1789 and is the country’s first public university. UNC is world-renowned for its leadership in innovative instruction and research. With a multitude of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees programs, all undergrad students are expected to study liberal arts before working towards their specialty area. UNC Health Care is a valuable asset in health education.
UNC-Chapel Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The year 1890, Washington State University began its long history as a public research educational institution that now provides hundreds of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree options to students throughout the world. WSU graduates leaders in their community and spearheads research in areas such as health, clean energy, food production, economic opportunity, and security.
WSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
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Whichever career path you choose, to learn more about becoming an effective, influential communicator, consider earning an online master’s degree in communication.
Students in communications learn strategies for transferring or disseminating information from one party to another. Students in this field explore the ins and outs of both written and oral communication. They also study digital communication and discuss how technology has changed the ways that people interact with one another.
Common coursework covers topics like mass communication, crisis management, and social media. Other topics of study include the laws that govern media and communication and strategies to persuade and influence others.
You may be able to take electives that focus on communications in the realms of healthcare, politics, community development or advertising. This degree can be useful for people who run public relations departments, work on political campaigns or represent nonprofit organizations.
As a graduate, you might also choose to become a writer, a marketing executive or a consumer researcher.
Do you want to influence others through printed words, online publications or video presentations? If so, a master’s degree in media communications can help you achieve your goals.
This online communications degree program focuses on forms of communication that are distributed to or viewed by large groups of people. These may include websites, magazines, newspapers, flyers, videos, movies and posters.
To help prepare you for a leadership role in the field of media communications, you can study consumer behavior, website copywriting, public relations campaigns, ethical behavior and digital data analysis. You may have the option to further refine your studies with a specialization like Film Production, Advertising, Social Media or Journalism.
Depending on your course of study, you may be able to put this degree into practice with a career as a reporter, an advertising specialist, a film director, a user experience researcher or a news reporter.
To merge your interests in technology and communications, pursue a master’s degree in telecommunications. This field focuses on communication that is carried out through technological or digital means. That may include computers, artificial intelligence, robots, websites and multimedia systems.
Classes for this degree cover topics like computer science, networking, circuits, operating systems, data processing and cybersecurity. Not only do students learn how to build and develop technology-based communication systems, but they also learn about protecting these systems from internal or external threats.
After completing your degree program, you may find a job related to network management, online security, app development or data analysis. Your particular career focus might deal with radio, computer networks, websites or mobile phones.
As technology becomes increasingly integral to modern life, professionals with graduate-level education in telecommunications should find themselves highly in demand by a variety of companies.
Students in the field of visual communications learn to influence people through the media that they consume with their eyes. They may specialize in print or video media.
If you choose this path for your master’s degree, you can expect to study topics like visual design, printing, organizational branding, art history and design software. You and your classmates may explore fonts, still and motion art, and two- and three-dimensional media.
The classes can help you learn how to create compelling pieces for advertising, packaging, storytelling and public relations, and you can learn how to invoke a response from your viewers.
Your concentration options may include Digital Design or User Experience. A visual communications degree program can help prepare you for a career in advertising, journalism or brand recognition.
You might choose to become an illustrator, a filmmaker, a printer, an art director or a web designer.
Students in communication graduate programs, including a doctorate in communications, take a variety of classes about transferring ideas, delivering messages, influencing others, and solving problems. Your coursework may vary depending on your school and your choice of concentration, but the following list can give you a general idea of what to expect.
These classes can help provide a strong foundation for a variety of communication careers.
Nearly every industry relies on communication in one form or another, so you should have a wide variety of career options available to you after graduation. For example, you could pursue a job in politics, advertising or public relations.
Salary ranges can vary greatly based on your geographic region, your job title and your professional experience, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the following career suggestions may give you a general idea of what to expect.
Advertising managers build brand recognition and market products and services.
Public relations managers conceptualize materials to boost the public image of the client or the business.
Technical communicators craft instruction manuals or any supporting documents that aim to circulate technical information easily.
Market research analysts study the state of the market for potential sales of a product or service, to be presented to the management.
Communications specialists serve as the face of an organization. Their responsibilities may include positive promotions and crisis management.
A communications degree doesn’t limit you to any particular field. The knowledge you gain can be applied in a variety of settings. The skills you develop may include:
Because the need for college financial aid is so common, the federal government provides a starting point for requesting help. The FAFSA is a free application that you can submit to learn about the types of federal aid for which you might qualify, such as grants, loans and Federal Work-Study.
Other organizations, such as your state’s financial aid program, may rely on FAFSA data as well.
Additional aid sources include scholarships and fellowships. These can be need-based or merit-based. They may come from private organizations or your school.
You should always select a school with regional accreditation. Official accrediting bodies review colleges and universities to confirm that their educational offerings meet set standards for academic rigor and student support. To qualify for financial aid and have the option to transfer credits, it is essential that you attend a school with regional accreditation.
Your communication program may have industry-specific accreditation as well. This demonstrates that the program meets the highest standards in the field. If that’s important to you, choose a school where the communication department is accredited by the American Communication Association.
Joining a professional organization while you’re in grad school can help you become more familiar with the industry and establish networking relationships. Members may receive access to newsletters, job boards and scholarship opportunities.
Look into the following organizations:
Grad school is a great time to try out a professional organization because you may be able to sign up at a student rate.
Your master’s degree may qualify you for management or leadership positions in a variety of industries. Potential job titles include advertising director, social media coordinator, brand strategist and public relations manager. As a communication manager, you could oversee all print, oral and digital communications released by an organization.
In general, full-time master’s programs usually take two years. If you select a program with a low credit-hour requirement, transfer in credits or attend a school with a traditional or accelerated communications degree online, you may be able to finish your masters in one year online. Part-time enrollment will, of course, take longer.
The average salary of employees with a masters degree earn $78,210 each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries vary depending on where you live in the country and what your job responsibilities entail. Your earnings will likely increase with experience.
There are a few masters programs that don’t require GRE scores for admission. Some no GRE grad schools do not ask for test results from any of their communication applicants.
Other colleges do look at scores but may offer you a waiver if you have a high undergraduate GPA or several years of professional experience.
If you earn nine or more credits per semester, you’re usually considered a full-time student. A full-time program can help you complete your masters degree quickly. On the other hand, part-time schooling may allow you more flexibility for keeping up with your job and other responsibilities.
Online programs may use readings, discussion boards, video lectures and other media formats to help you learn the material. Some universities allow you to engage in class activities at a pace that fits your schedule. Other schools require you to log in at set times for class lectures or live discussions.
In a master’s program, you can learn the latest theories related to communication and go beyond the introductory topics that are presented in a bachelor’s program. A master’s program can help prepare you to go beyond an entry-level job and instead take on a leadership or managerial role in communication.
Some schools ask applicants to have at least a few years of professional experience in the communication field before applying to their programs. Even if a college doesn’t require this, having work experience on your resume may give you an advantage over other applicants.
Every professional relies on communication skills, so improving your abilities in this area can be a great benefit to your career. Whether you have dreams of working in politics, advertising, public relations or another field, earning an online master’s in communication may help prepare you for top leadership and management positions.
To take your career to the next level, seek out a master’s in communication program with a flexible online format. You can earn your communication degree in a way that suits your busy schedule.
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