2023 Master's in Communication Programs in Wyoming (Campus, Online)

Campus Programs in Wyoming
Online Programs
Directory of All Programs in Wyoming

Currently, there is only one school in Wyoming with a master’s degree program in communication. The University of Wyoming (UW) in Laramie offers a Master of Arts in Communication through its Communication and Journalism (COJO) Department. The COJO Graduate Program is available for campus-based study, and students can choose between an emphasis in human communication or media communication. UW is a non-profit institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). For those interested in pursuing their degree online, many out-of-state schools have online master’s in communication programs that accept students from Wyoming.

Campus-Based Master’s in Communication Programs in Wyoming

The University of Wyoming’s MA in Communication, referred to as the COJO Graduate Program, is open to applicants with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and combined GRE scores (verbal and quantitative) of at least 291. Once accepted, students may select one of two areas to focus their degree on: human communication or media communication. Those in the human communication pathway can expect to study topics such as interpersonal communication, cross-cultural communication, rhetoric, small group communication, and more. The media communication option features study of mass and new media, with a curriculum covering broadcasting, advertising, public relations, print media, visual communication, blogging, entertainment, and other related fields.

All students in UW’s COJO Graduate Program are required to take four courses in communication theory and methods during their first year, including Qualitative Research Methods, Quantitative Research Methods, and Foundations of Journalism and Communication. They may then pick from a wide range of electives, such as News-Making Processes, Rhetorical Theory and Criticism, Nonverbal Communication Studies, African American Rhetoric, Website Design, Mass Media Ethics, and Advanced Persuasion. When building their course of study, students are free to choose from courses associated with either the human or media communication degree concentrations.

UW offers master’s students the choice between completing a research-oriented thesis or a project-based thesis (known as a Plan B project) as their graduation requirement. Those who pursue the traditional thesis option will take 27 credit hours of coursework, in addition to four hours of thesis credits. The Plan B option requires 30 course credits and three hours of credits associated with the Graduate Project. Students enrolled in the COJO Graduate Program on a full-time basis (nine credits a semester) have until the end of their second semester to decide which thesis (research or project) they wish to complete.

Online Master’s in Communication Programs in Wyoming

At this time, no schools in Wyoming offer a master’s in communication program online. However, there are many out-of-state colleges and universities with online programs open to Wyoming residents. These may be a good option for students unable to commute to the University of Wyoming for classes on a weekly basis or those who prefer the flexibility of online learning. Before applying to an out-of-state online master’s in communication program, students should be sure to check if the program is authorized to accept applicants from Wyoming. Due to state specific regulations, some online programs may not be able to enroll students from all 50 states. As such, it is important to contact a school representative beforehand to see if Wyoming residents are eligible for admission.

Prospective online students should also take into consideration any in-person or campus-based requirements associated with a program when choosing where to enroll. Certain online graduate programs require students to travel to campus or another location at set times throughout their studies to take part in orientations, lectures, discussions, hands-on training exercises, networking events, or other activities. These immersions or on-campus sessions may vary in length, lasting anywhere from a weekend to a whole week, and can be particularly beneficial for students who desire a face-to-face component in addition to online learning. However, students are typically responsible for any associated travel or lodging costs in addition to tuition and fees, so it is important to understand any necessary on-campus requirements before applying.

To help simplify this process, MastersinCommunications.com only defines a program as “online” if it requires two or fewer campus visits per year. Keep in mind, this includes programs that are 100% online (with zero campus requirements), those that require only one campus visit for the entire duration, and those in which students must travel to campus one to two times during each year of their studies. Check out our Online Master’s in Communication Programs page for a comprehensive list of programs offered by schools in the United States, as well as detailed information about enrollment options, state authorizations, campus visits, and more.