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 campus-based Master of Arts in Communication through its Communication and Journalism (COJO) Department. 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 Master of Arts in Communication is a 31-33 credit program that features a diverse curriculum wherein students can explore in-depth topics, research methods, and skills in both human communication and mediated communication. Through this program, students can investigate topics such as interpersonal communication, cross-cultural communication, rhetoric, small group communication, mass and new media, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, print media, visual communication, blogging, entertainment, and other related fields.
All students in UW’s Master of Arts in Communication program are required to take four courses in communication theory and methods during their first year. First, they must complete three courses in Qualitative Research Methods, Quantitative Research Methods, and Foundations of Journalism and Communication. Subsequently, they must choose one theory course from three selections: Rhetorical Theory and Criticism, Seminar in Mass Communications, and Seminar in Communication Theory. Upon completing their core courses, students may then pick from a wide range of electives, such as Communication Technology and Society, Digital Video Production, Advanced Interpersonal Communication, Mass Media and Society, Public Affairs Reporting, and Photojournalism. As mentioned previously, when building their course of study, students are free to choose from courses associated with either the human or mediated communication degree concentrations, to tailor their course of study.
UW offers master’s students the choice between completing a research-oriented thesis or a professional project as their final 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 professional project option requires 30 course credits and three hours of credits associated with the graduate project. Students enrolled in the MA 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.
All Master’s in Communication Programs in Wyoming
Campus programs, 
Campus/Hybrid programs, 
Online programs (fully online to 2 campus visits per year)
