The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) offers an online Master of Arts in Communication through its Department of Communication, which is within the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. This program features two emphasis options in Professional Communication and Applied Media Studies. The Professional Communication emphasis option focuses on organizational, strategic, and leadership communication, while the Applied Media Studies emphasis focuses on analyzing media’s effects and applying critical lenses to communication technology, popular culture, multiculturalism, gender, and other issues that intersect with interpersonal, group, and mass communication.

This program has both a Capstone and a Thesis track. The Capstone track requires students to complete a professionally oriented project that synthesizes all of the concepts, skills, and principles they have learned in their coursework, and to also write a reflective final paper. The Thesis track requires students to complete a work of original scholarship that investigates an issue in organizational communication or media studies. Students of the Capstone track complete a course that guides them through the process of researching, designing, and executing their project, while the Thesis track pairs students with a faculty chair and other faculty advisors who provide guidance as students conduct independent research and analysis.

The curriculum for this program consists of 9-12 credits of course coursework (depending on which track students choose), 15-18 credits of electives, one 3-credit course outside of the Department of Communication, and either the 3-credit capstone course or 6 credits of thesis work. Core courses for this program cover topics such as communication theories in contemporary contexts, research for problem solving, and data-driven insights. After the core courses, students craft a personalized course of study through electives in areas such as communication for teaching and learning, leadership and organizational change, virtual training, integrated marketing communication, crisis communication, entertainment theory and research, multicultural diversity in the workplace, gender and leadership, crisis communication, emerging communication technologies, challenges in radio and television media, communication competence across contexts, and critical analysis of popular culture.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is regionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA-HLC).

Online Master of Arts in Communication

Overview
Department: Department of Communication
Specializations/Concentrations: Emphasis in Professional Communication (Organizational); Optional Focus in Applied Media Studies
Websites: Department and Program

Program Format
Structure: Online program with no required campus visits
Instruction Methods: Program uses asynchronous instruction (some courses may incorporate synchronous sessions)
Campus Visits Required: No
Program Length: Program can be completed in two years
Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission

Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
Credits Required: 33 credit hours (11 courses)
Thesis Required: No
Capstone Options: Capstone or thesis
Example Courses: Communication Theories in Contemporary Contexts; Research as Problem Solving; Drawing Insights from Data; Managing Social Media; Crisis Communication; Integrated Marketing Communication; Emerging Communication Technologies; Media Effects; Gender and Leadership

Admission Requirements
Application Requirements: Bachelor's degree; scholarly or professional writing sample; statement of purpose
GPA Requirements: Minimum GPA 3.0 (GPA of 3.0 or higher is expected)
Testing Requirements: GRE not required

Tuition Costs
Estimated Tuition*: ~26,334 + fees (resident), ~25,997 + fees (online non-resident)
Cost per Credit Hour: $2,394.01 per three credit course (resident), $2,363.40 per three credit course (non-resident)

State Authorizations: Program accepts students from all 50 states

*Estimated tuition is calculated by multiplying the cost per credit hour by the number of credits required to graduate. It does not include fees or other expenses.