Answer: The admission requirements for an online master’s in communication vary by program; however, most include a minimum GPA threshold applicants must meet in order to be considered. This generally ranges from a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to a minimum GPA of 3.0, either cumulatively or during a certain portion of the applicant’s degree program (for instance, the last 60 credit hours). Some online master’s in communication programs have no minimum GPA requirement, and others offer conditional admittance (also referred to as provisional or probational admission) for students who fall below the suggested GPA threshold. Students should note that the average GPA of those accepted into a program may be higher than the minimum GPA required to apply. As always, prospective students should check with a program representative if they have any questions regarding GPA requirements or other admission criteria.

The majority of online master’s degree programs in communication and its various specializations offered by schools in the U.S. include a minimum GPA requirement as part of their admission criteria. In most cases, this is between a 2.5 and a 3.0, meaning students must meet or exceed that number in order to be considered for admission. If a program has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75, for instance, students would need a GPA of 2.75 or higher to apply. Depending on the program, this might mean an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75, or just a 2.75 in a particular portion of their undergraduate program (such as, the last two years, last 60 credit hours, or in communication-related courses). There are also some programs that do not have a minimum GPA requirement. While this means students can apply regardless of their undergraduate GPA, they should be aware that admissions committees may still take an applicant’s GPA into consideration when deciding who to admit into the program.

It is important to note that most online master’s in communication programs have a selective admission policy. This means that even if an applicant meets or exceeds the admissions criteria (such as the minimum GPA requirement), they still might not be accepted into the program. Often, the average GPA of those admitted is actually higher than the minimum GPA needed to apply. For example, a program may require applicants to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in order to be considered for admission; however, the actual average GPA of those admitted may be around 3.3 or 3.5. This largely depends on the size of the program and how competitive the admissions process is.

Often, online master’s degree programs in communication evaluate applicants holistically, looking at their entire application when deciding who would be the best fit for admission. In certain cases, this may mean someone who does not meet the minimum GPA requirement for a program might still be considered based on their other qualifications (for example, significant work experience). This is completely dependent on the school and its particular admission policies. If a student thinks they may be lacking in certain aspects of their application (such as their GPA) and is worried they might not meet the minimum qualifications for admission, they should reach out to an admission advisor or program director to discuss their eligibility. In situations like these, an applicant may be asked to include an explanation for their lower GPA in their personal statement.

Some online master’s in communication programs may offer applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements admittance on a provisional or conditional basis. In these situations, students typically must maintain a certain GPA in their graduate courses in order to eventually gain full admission. Students also generally still need to meet a minimum GPA threshold to be considered for provisional admission. For example, if the program has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 for full admission, it might offer students with undergraduate GPAs of 2.5 or higher the opportunity to enroll on a conditional basis. Programs with provisional admission policies do not always include this information on their website. Therefore, students who do not meet the GPA requirements for full admittance should check a school’s graduate catalog or contact the admissions office to see if provisional admission is an option.

GPA Requirements for Online Master’s in Communication Programs

The table below includes every online master’s in communication program currently listed on MastersinCommunications.com along with their GPA requirements for full admission. To learn more about a certain program, including a detailed breakdown of its admission criteria, click on the program name.

School Program GPA Requirements
American University Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication GPA 3.0 or greater in last 60 hours of undergraduate program
Arizona State University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 in last 60 hours of bachelor's degree
Arizona State University Online Master of Science in Technical Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 in last 60 hours of bachelor's degree
Arkansas State University Online Master of Science in Strategic Communications Minimum GPA 3.0
Asbury University Online Master of Arts in Communication for Media Professionals Minimum GPA 2.5 (or 2.75 in last 60 credit hours of undergraduate degree)
Ashland University Online Master of Arts in Corporate and Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 2.75 (GPA between 2.25 and 2.75 may be eligible for conditional admission)
Austin Peay State University Online Master of Arts in Communication Arts Minimum GPA 2.5
Bellevue University Online Master of Arts in Business and Professional Communication Minimum GPA 2.5 in last 60 hours of undergraduate degree
Boston University Online Master of Science in Health Communication No minimum GPA to apply
Bowling Green State University Online Master of Arts in Media & Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 recommended
Brenau University Online Master of Arts in Communication and Media Studies Minimum GPA 3.0
Butler University Online Master of Science in Strategic Communication No minimum GPA to apply
California Baptist University Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 2.75 (2.5 for conditional admission)
Central Connecticut State University Online Master of Science in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 (students with a GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 may apply for conditional acceptance)
Clark University Online Master of Science in Communication No minimum GPA to apply
College of Charleston Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Colorado State University - Fort Collins Online Master of Communications and Media Management Minimum undergraduate GPA 3.0
Drake University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 2.5
Drexel University Online Master of Science in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 (applicants with a lower GPA may still be considered based on overall academic potential)
Duquesne University Online Master of Arts in Corporate Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Duquesne University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
East Carolina University Online Master of Arts in Communication No minimum GPA to apply
Eastern Illinois University Online Master of Arts in Communication Studies Minimum GPA 3.0
Eastern Michigan University Online Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications Minimum GPA 2.75
Eastern New Mexico University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Fitchburg State University Online Master of Science in Applied Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Florida International University Online Master of Science in Mass Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Fordham University Online Master of Science in Strategic Marketing Communications No minimum GPA to apply
Georgetown University Online Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations & Corporate Communications Minimum GPA 3.0 (students with a GPA lower than 3.0 may still be able to apply)
Georgetown University Online Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Marketing Communications Minimum GPA 3.0 (students with a GPA lower than 3.0 may still be able to apply)
Georgetown University Online Master of Professional Studies in Design Management & Communications Minimum GPA 3.0 (students with a GPA lower than 3.0 may still be able to apply)
Georgian Court University Online Master of Science in Communication & Digital Marketing Minimum GPA 2.75
Gonzaga University Online Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies Minimum GPA 3.0 (if GPA below 3.0, applicants must submit an explanation of GPA statement)
Idaho State University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Online Masters of Science in Technology - Technical Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Johns Hopkins University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Kansas State University Online Master of Science in Mass Communications Minimum GPA 3.0 in last 60 credits of undergraduate degree
Kent State University Online Master of Arts in Media and Journalism - Journalism Education Concentration Minimum GPA 3.0
Lasell College Online Master of Science in Communication GPA of 3.0 or greater recommended for applicants with less than 3 years of work experience
Liberty University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 2.5 (applicants with a GPA greater than 2.0 may be considered for cautionary admission)
Liberty University Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 2.5 (applicants with a GPA greater than 2.0 may be considered for cautionary admission)
Lynn University Online Master of Science in Communication and Media Minimum GPA 3.0
Marist College Online Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 (although applications will be reviewed holistically)
Marquette University Online Master of Arts in Corporate Communication No minimum GPA required (recommended GPA 3.0 or higher)
Maryville University Online Master’s in Strategic Communication and Leadership Minimum GPA 3.0
Mercer University Online Master of Science in Technical Communication Management Minimum GPA 3.0
Michigan State University Online Masters of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 3.25 (students with a GPA lower than 3.25 in last two years of undergraduate degree may still be considered for admission based on professional experience)
Minnesota State University, Mankato Online Master of Science in Communication Studies Minimum GPA 3.0
Minnesota State University, Mankato Online Master of Science in Communication & Composition Minimun overall GPA 2.75 and 3.0 in last two years of undergraduate degree
Minnesota State University, Mankato Online Master of Science in Technical Communication Minimum GPA 2.75
Mississippi College Online Master of Science in Integrated Communication Minimum GPA 2.50
Mississippi College Online Master of Science in Healthcare Communication Minimum GPA 2.50
Mississippi College Online Master of Science in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 2.50
Missouri State University Online Master of Professional Studies in Applied Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 (GPA 2.75 - 2.99 must take GRE or GMAT to be eligible for admission)
Missouri University of Science and Technology Online Master of Science in Technical Communication Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or minimum GPA of 3.0 in last 60 semester hours of undergraduate degree) - students may apply for probational admission with a GPA greater than 2.75
Morehead State University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 2.5 (Undergraduate GPA multiplied by GRE score must meet or be greater than 781)
Murray State University Online Master's in Organizational Communication (MS or MA) Minimum GPA 3.0 (GPA greater than 2.5 for conditional admission)
New Jersey Institute of Technology Online Master of Science in Professional and Technical Communication Minimum GPA 2.8
Northeastern University Online Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication No minimum GPA to apply
Northern Arizona University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Northwestern University Online Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications Professional Program No minimum GPA required (program exams applications holistically)
Notre Dame of Maryland University Online Master of Arts in Contemporary Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Ohio University Online Master of Arts in Organizational Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 (students with a GPA lower than 3.0 need to take the GRE)
Pace University Online Master of Arts in Communications and Digital Media Minimum undergraduate GPA 3.0 is preferred
Park University Online Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Minimum GPA 3.0
Penn State World Campus Online Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications Minimum GPA 3.0
PennWest Edinboro Online Master of Arts in Corporate Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Purdue University Online Master of Science in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Queens University of Charlotte Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Regent University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Rutgers University Online Master of Communication and Media Minimum GPA 3.0
Sam Houston State University Online Master of Arts in Communication Studies Minimum GPA 3.0
South Dakota State University Online Master of Mass Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Southeastern Louisiana University Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 2.5
Southern New Hampshire University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 2.75 for full acceptance (students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 may be eligible for provisional acceptance)
Southern Utah University Online Master of Arts in Professional Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
St. Bonaventure University Online Master of Arts in Communication No minimum GPA to apply
State University of New York at Oswego Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Stephen F. Austin State University Online Master of Arts in Mass Communication Minimum cumulative GPA 2.5 or a minimum GPA 2.8 in last 60 credits of undergraduate degree
Stevenson University Online Master of Science in Communication Studies Minimum GPA 3.0
Stony Brook University Online Master of Science in Science Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Syracuse University Online Master of Science in Communications Minimum GPA 2.5
Syracuse University Online M.S. in Communications Management Minimum GPA 2.5
Temple University Online Master of Science in Communication Management Minimum GPA 3.0
Texas State University Online Master of Arts in Technical Communication Minimum GPA 2.75 in last 60 hours of undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA 3.0 in undergraduate Writing, English, or Technical Communication courses (in 12 or more credit hours)
Texas Tech University Online Master's in Strategic Communication & Innovation Minimum GPA 3.0
Texas Tech University Online Master of Arts in Technical Communication No minimum GPA required
Texas Tech University Online Master of Science in Agricultural Communications No minimum GPA required
The University of Alabama Online Master of Arts in Communication Studies Minimum GPA 3.0 or a 3.0 average in last 60 semester hours
The University of Iowa Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
The University of Mississippi Online Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Online Master of Arts in Digital Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
The University of Oklahoma Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy Minimum GPA 3.0
The University of Tennessee at Martin Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 2.5
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Online Master of Science in Communication and Information Minimum GPA 2.7
The University of West Alabama Online Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (or a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 for applicants with a master's degree)
Troy University Online Master of Science in Strategic Communication Minimum overall GPA 2.5 or 3.0 in last 30 semester hours
Union College Online Master of Science in Digital Marketing and Communications Management Minimum GPA 2.5
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Online Master of Arts in Mass Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 in last 60 hours of undergraduate credit
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Online Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing Minimum GPA 3.0 (Conditional admission possible with a GPA greater of 2.7 to 2.99)
University of Central Florida Online Master of Arts in English - Technical Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
University of Central Missouri Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum cumulative GPA 2.5 (at least 2.75 in undergraduate communication-related courses)
University of Colorado Boulder Online Master of Arts in Corporate Communication Minimum GPA 2.75
University of Delaware Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Average GPA 3.0 (students with a GPA below 3.0 may still apply for admission)
University of Denver Online Master of Arts in Communication Management Minimum GPA 2.5 (or 2.5 in last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
University of Findlay Online Master of Arts in Professional Communication (MAPC) Minimum GPA 3.0 (Students with a GPA greater than 2.75 may be eligible for conditional admission)
University of Florida Online Master of Arts in Mass Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Online Master of Science in Health Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 in last two years of undergraduate degree
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Online Master of Science in Strategic Brand Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 in last two years of undergraduate degree
University of Kentucky Online Master of Science in Information Communication Technology Minimum GPA 3.0
University of Maryland Global Campus Online Master of Science in Strategic Communications No minimum GPA to apply
University of Minnesota Twin Cities Online Master of Science in Scientific & Technical Communication No minimum GPA to apply
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Online Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications Minimum GPA 2.5
University of North Texas Online Master of Science in Digital Communication Analytics Minimum GPA 3.0 (or 3.0 in last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework)
University of Southern California Online Master of Communication Management Minimum GPA 3.0
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Online Master of Arts in Professional Communication Confirm with school to determine if there is a minimum GPA to apply
University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Master of Science in Technical and Professional Communication Minimum GPA 2.75
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Online Master of Science in Communication Minimum GPA 2.75 - cumulative or in last 60 credit hours of undergraduate program (students with a master's degree do not need to meet the minimum GPA requirement for admission)
Utah State University Online Master of Technical Communication Minimum GPA 3.0 in last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter credits of undergraduate degree
Wake Forest University Online Master of Communications No minimum GPA to apply
Washburn University Online Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Minimum GPA 3.0 in last 60 hours of undergraduate degree
Washington State University Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
Washington State University Online Master of Arts in Health Communication and Promotion Minimum GPA 3.0
Webster University Online Master of Arts in Advertising and Marketing Communications Minimum GPA 2.5 (GPA 2.0 to 2.5 may be eligible for conditional admission)
Webster University Online Master of Arts in Communications Management Minimum GPA 2.5 (GPA 2.0 to 2.5 may be eligible for conditional admission)
Webster University Online Master of Arts in Media Communications Minimum GPA 2.5 (GPA 2.0 to 2.5 may be eligible for conditional admission)
West Texas A&M University Online Master of Arts in Communication Minimum GPA 3.0
West Virginia University Online Master of Arts in Corporate and Organizational Communication Minimum GPA 2.75 (below 2.75 may be eligible for provisional admission)
West Virginia University Online Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications Minimum GPA 2.75 (below 2.75 may be eligible for provisional admission)
West Virginia University Online Master of Science in Data Marketing Communications Minimum GPA 2.75 (below 2.75 may be eligible for provisional admission)
West Virginia University Online Master of Science in Digital Marketing Communications Minimum GPA 2.75 (below 2.75 may be eligible for provisional admission)