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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire an online master’s in communication, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best online master’s in communication programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

The University of Florida has a fully online master of arts in mass communication via its College of Journalism and Communication. The career-focused coursework prepares candidates for success in their fields, with 97 percent of graduates securing jobs within three months of completing the degree program.

Degree plans vary depending on which of the eight concentrations learners select. For example, the 37-credit audience analytics path centers on consumer behavior, enabling learners to work as brand analysts, media researchers, and product development managers. Alternatively, candidates who pick the political communication concentration to foster group engagement.

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

The University of North Carolina’s School of Journalism and Media offers an online master of arts in digital communication for working professionals. Candidates finish part-time coursework and develop the focused skills needed to qualify for leadership positions upon graduation. The cohort size is limited to 20 learners to foster peer-to-peer collaboration and faculty support.

Candidates take 12 predetermined classes, including the psychology of audiences, media analytics, and information visualization. Learners engage in two required on-campus residencies: a two-day orientation and a five-day summer practicum. The degree program culminates with a thesis project, in which learners work with a faculty advisor to carry out and present research.

This online master’s in communication degree program grants admission to learners in the fall. Candidates may get GRE exemption if they fulfill one of four criteria, such as having three to five years of relevant work experience and a minimum 3.3 undergraduate GPA.

3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL

Through a collaboration between the school’s College of Media and College of Business, learners can earn a fully online master of science in strategic brand communication in under two years. The coursework covers concepts such as consumer insights, strategic media management, and promotional strategy. Learners in the online master’s in communication also examine and visualize database-generated information. Along with academic transcripts, candidates submit an individual statement and three recommendation letters.

4. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University facilitates distance education through Blackboard Learn. Graduate learners can enroll in an online master of arts in communication degree program. Instead of a fully remote coursework, candidates may opt to take some evening and weekend classes at the school’s District of Columbia campus to design a blended learning experience.

Required classwork covers concepts like changing behavior through communication and applied qualitative/quantitative research. Learners pursuing the health communication concentration design and manage strategic healthcare campaigns.

Application materials consist of a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Candidates also furnish a 500-word statement of purpose. Johns Hopkins may accept learners who do not meet certain GPA and work criteria if they display adequate GRE scores.

5. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

At Purdue University, classes center on professional research and ethics, while distance learners investigate advanced concepts through their chosen concentration. For example, learners in integrated communication and advertising path learn to craft persuasive messages for interindividual purposes and strategic social media campaigns.

This online master’s in communication has fully asynchronous classwork, and there are no residency requirements. To apply, prospective learners submit transcripts from regionally sanctioned schools, a 500-word individual statement, an updated resume, and three recommendation letters. Purdue maintains three start dates per year.

6. Mississippi College, Clinton, MS

Mississippi College has 80 undergraduate majors and more than 50 graduate programs, including a master of science in applied communication with a generalist path. Learners can earn their credentials entirely online via Blackboard or take evening classes on campus for a blended learning experience.

The online master’s in communication degree plan requires classwork in public relations and theories of persuasion. Learners fill out remaining credits with electives, picking from classes like media programming and management, intercultural communication, and subtleties of group communication.

To help learners build their professional network, the college has free membership to the Mississippi Communication Association and the Public Relations Association of Mississippi. Degree candidates may apply for an array of need-based grants and institutional scholarships.

7. American University, Washington, DC

American University has 11 graduate degrees via its School of Communication. Options consist of an online master of arts in strategic communication with four available concentrations. The coursework teaches candidates to target key audiences and design compelling messages that address the challenges of a changing digital media world.

Required classwork covers concepts like communication theory and strategic research applications. Based on their chosen concentration, learners take advanced electives in areas such as visual design, grassroots digital advocacy, and social marketing for social impact. The online master’s in communication degree program culminates with an immersive research class in which candidates develop and present a long-form project or paper.

8. Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College consists of more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs, including a fully online master of arts in integrated marketing communication degree program that focuses on contemporary digital interactive marketing. Full-time learners can finish the degree program in 18 months, while learners who enroll part-time normally graduate in less than three years.

Class concepts consist of public relations management, international consumer insights, and social media strategies. Candidates also learn to carry out marketing research and utilize analytical tools to facilitate decision-making at the individual and organizational levels. This online master’s in communication degree program culminates with a capstone project, in which learners develop an integrated brand experience.

9. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University grants admission to over 100,000 learners annually. The school delivers distance education through Blackboard, offering graduate degrees such as the online master of arts in communication. The accelerated coursework is offered via eight-week classes, where learners learn to utilize brand storytelling and social media networking methods to cultivate relationships with donors and consumers. This online master’s in communication degree program enables candidates to satisfy a maximum of half of their class requirements with transfer credits. Liberty offers internal and external scholarships for distance learners. Learners may also access federal loans and grants.

10. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University delivers distance education via Blackboard, offering more than 50 graduate programs. Degree options consist of a fully online master of arts in strategic communication and innovation that prepares candidates for senior leadership positions in international digital organizations. The school uses three start dates each year, and learners can learn at their own pace by taking one to three classes each semester. To enroll in this online master’s in communication degree program, candidates submit a resume, three recommendations, academic writing samples, and a 300- to 500-word individual statement.