MastersinCommunications.com contains a comprehensive directory of Master’s in Communication programs offered by non-profit colleges and universities. The schools listed on this site were obtained from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) database. IPEDS data was filtered for schools offering programs at the master’s level for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. Each school was then examined to confirm that it offered a master’s degree in the field of communication, and to determine which specializations were available to students in the program.
In order for a program to be included in our database, a school must offer a master’s program in communication or mass communication(s). Schools that offer degrees in related subjects are not included in our data set even if the degree programs contain classes in communication. For example, Master’s in Journalism, Master’s in Public Relations, Master’s in Global Media or Media Studies are not included in our comprehensive database of master’s in communication programs. While we may have content about these related degrees on the site, we have not extensively researched programs in these subject areas.
Disclaimers:
- Communication Specializations: Master’s in communication programs are currently classified into 10 different specializations based on their curricula. This classification process is done by manually researching each program, investigating its course offerings, and classifying it accordingly. Due to the nature of communication programs, it is not uncommon for a program to fall into more than one category. In addition, programs may offer electives in a given specialization without offering a distinct track in that specialization. Consequently, in order for a program to be classified under a specific concentration, it must offer a specialization, area of study, track, or emphasis in that concentration.
- Online Programs: In order for a program to be classified as an online program, it must not require more than two campus visits per year. Programs that require three or more visits per year are classified as hybrid programs on the site.
- Online & Campus Programs: Currently, online programs are categorized separately from campus-based and hybrid programs. Therefore, if a program has the option for students to attend on-campus or online, that program is currently listed twice in our database.
- Tuition Costs: Any tuition costs listed on MastersinCommunications.com should be used as estimates only. Tuition costs are often calculated by multiplying the number of credits required to graduate by the cost per credit hour. They do not include university fees or other costs that can be significant. In addition, tuition costs do change over time. Students should contact prospective schools for the most up-to-date and accurate information about tuition costs including fees.
- Tuition Costs for Online Programs: Some but not all online programs charge the same tuition costs for in-state and out-of-state online students. Students who are not residents of the state where a prospective online school is located should check with an admissions advisor for the most up-to-date tuition costs and fees for out-of-state students.
- Admission Requirements: Many schools listed on the site have selective admissions policies, which means even if a student meets the minimum requirements for admission, they may not be admitted to the program. Admission to any school listed on the site is not guaranteed.
- State Restrictions for Online Programs: Schools and departments offering online programs must seek approval (or waivers) from states to offer programs to students who live in those states. The process of state authorizations is complicated and can change over time. While we have done our best to provide this information to students, we do not guarantee online programs accept students from all states. Students should check with an admissions advisor for the most up-to-date information with regards to restricted states for prospective programs.
- Scholarly and Professional Interviews: Interviews published on MastersinCommunications.com are meant to introduce prospective graduate students to research in the field of communication studies and careers in the field of communication. The perspectives and opinions shared in interviews published on the site are those of the interviewee and not MastersinCommunications.com, its parent company (acgtMedia, LLC), or its affiliates.
While we have done our own independent research into every program listed on the site and do our best to ensure the data provided is accurate, we do not guarantee the data on MastersinCommunications.com is accurate. Schools can and do make changes to their programs over time. If we determine our data is out of date, we will do our best to update that data as quickly as possible to keep the site up-to-date. Students should always check with a college or university before applying to make sure they have the most up to date information about tuition costs (including costs for in-state and out-of-state students if applicable), admission criteria, application requirements, degree requirements, state restrictions for online programs, and more.
If you have any questions about sources of data or our disclaimers, please use our contact us form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.