Currently, the only university in Alaska that offers a master’s in communication program is the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). UAF offers a Master of Arts in Professional Communication program that can be completed on-campus or through online instruction. For students who do not live near UAF and do not want to relocate for graduate school, or for students who would like to pursue different specialization options, there are additional out-of-state colleges and universities that offer online master’s programs in the field of communication. This may be especially important for students who live in Anchorage or Juneau as the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Southeast do not currently offer graduate programs in communication.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Table of Contents
Campus-Based Master’s in Communication Programs
The University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Department of Communication offers a campus-based Master of Arts in Professional Communication that trains students in different forms of professional communication across a variety of settings. This program is suitable for individuals who are working in or would like to enter such fields as corporate and non-profit communication, health communication, media and marketing, and other careers that employ organizational and interpersonal communication skills and knowledge of media.
This program, which is comprised of 30-40 credits, depending on whether students engage in a Teaching Assistantship during their enrollment, includes core classes covering topics such as communication theory and research methodologies in the social and human sciences, organizational communication and culture, diversity in professional settings, interpersonal communication, and team building. After completing 24 credits of core courses, students select six to nine credits (two to three courses) of electives in areas such as health communication, training and development, or public relations theory; they can also take courses in business administration, journalism, marketing, criminal justice, education, and art from different departments at UAF, with approval from their advisor. For their final graduation requirement, students must complete a master’s thesis or a non-thesis research project, and both present and defend their research before a public forum.
Online Master’s in Communication Programs for Students in Alaska
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offers a completely virtual option for its Master of Arts in Professional Communication, and is currently the only university in Alaska that offers an online master’s in communication program. The curriculum for the online Master of Arts in Professional Communication is equivalent to that of UAF’s campus-based program.
Additional Online Master’s in Communication Programs for Alaska Residents
In addition to UAF, there are also numerous out-of-state colleges and universities that offer online master’s programs in communication that accept students from Alaska. These programs provide prospective students with additional specialization options and the opportunity to explore programs offered by schools from across the contiguous United States. Students in Alaska who are interested in an online master’s in communication program should note that some online programs do not accept students from all 50 states. Students are advised to check with an admissions advisor before applying to an out-of-state program to ensure that the school accepts online students from Alaska.
Furthermore, while the majority on online master’s in communication programs can be completed fully online, a handful of programs require students to attend on-campus residencies or intensives while enrolled in the program. On this site, a program is defined as an “online program” if it requires two or fewer in-person visits annually. For on-campus intensives, students are generally responsible for the travel and lodging expenses involved in attending these sessions, as they are not typically included in tuition costs and university/program fees. Therefore, students considering an online master’s in communication program offered by an out-of-state school should determine if any travel is required during the program, and if so, what are the expected costs of that travel before applying.
All Master’s in Communication Programs in Alaska
Campus programs, 
Campus/Hybrid programs, 
Online programs (fully online to two campus visits per year)
