A masters in communication management helps students build the necessary skills to support, motivate, and nurture entire teams through expert communication. By enrolling in this program, students and professionals may set themselves up to become leaders in their fields.
With a masters in communication management degree, you may go on to pursue career advancement and achieve higher earning potential. The ability to tackle communications challenges with critical thinking is likely to make you an asset to any business.
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Read on to see if a communication management masters degree is right for you!
Masters in Communication Management Programs Online
Businesses of all kinds require highly trained individuals who can comprehend, break down, and convey information through various forms of communication.
Effective communication allows information to be shared in a well-rounded and efficient way. As such, a master in communication management program is a graduate degree that is designed to teach students how to perform expert communication across mediums. Students with these skills are likely to be an asset to most businesses.
Many students choose to enroll in these programs so that they can enhance their existing knowledge and graduate with a credential that’s likely to increase their job prospects. They may also choose this program because of the many interesting topics it’ll expose them to.
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There are many subjects that students can expect to examine while undergoing a master’s in communication management. Some common subjects include:
- Market research
- Communication theories
- Public relations
- Marketing
- Corporate communication strategies
Of course, these only represent a few of the main topics you’ll study during your program. The knowledge and skills you can gain during this program are relevant across industries. As such, many choose this program because it gives them the confidence that they’ll have the skills to enter several fields and work their way up to a leadership role in an organization.
Graduates from these programs can be found across the workforce. That said, some of the most common fields that these graduates enter are:
- Education
- Human resources
- Business management consulting
- Training and career development
- Media
Each of the above career fields is very different from one another, but a communication management master’s degree helps you develop the skills to traverse them all.
Common Online Master of Communication Management Concentrations
Masters degrees in communications management often offer students the opportunity to enhance their education by taking a specialization. The list below shows some common specializations that may be available:
- Strategic Communications. In this concentration, you’ll study culture, decision-making, diversity, and more.
- Business Management. This specialization is focused on the most essential business topics, like marketing, leadership, information technology, economics, and more.
- Digital Media. In this specialization, you’ll study media law, grassroots reporting, digital journalism, and more.
- Leadership Communications. You’ll study various forms of communication, like one-on-one communication, digital communication, and group communication.
- Media Management. In this specialization, you’ll study social media trends, strategies for inclusivity, and how to apply business analytics to an organization.
It’s important to note that the specializations offered in a program are likely to vary depending on the school you choose to attend. In many cases, these specializations aren’t required to graduate. That said, a concentration could be a great way to develop specialized skills.
Communications Management Careers & Salaries
A master’s in communication management helps students develop skills that are often deemed highly valuable in the workplace. In order to function properly, businesses require efficient and excellent communication. Without it, they risk miscommunication and disorder.
These graduates may go on to find success across industries. Many graduates enter public relations, advertising, or marketing, while others enter finance and education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics here are the median wages of potential communications careers.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $189,520 |
| Marketing Managers | $140,040 |
| Sales Managers | $130,600 |
| Human Resources Managers | $130,000 |
| Public Relations Managers | $129,430 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $127,830 |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,000 |
| Fundraising Managers | $107,390 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,230 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $67,440 |
It’s important to note that simply having a master’s in communication management doesn’t guarantee a certain position or salary.
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Many factors can affect the hiring process, such as your industry, profession, employer, geographic location, and level of experience.
Communication Management Masters Curriculum & Courses
Graduate programs in communication management will expose you to courses in various disciplines, like public relations, marketing, advertising, and more. Some courses you may encounter include:
- Communication Research: This course will introduce you to both quantitative and qualitative research methods that are used to examine human communication.
- Media Research: This course examines the research methods that are used to study the media landscape.
- Communication Ethics: In this course, you’ll study the ethical theories that are discussed in relation to the responsibility of mass media.
- Digital Media Ethics: This course will introduce you to the problems technology presents as well as the ever-changing audience behaviors.
- Leadership Communication: This course will teach you how to use various interpersonal behaviors and communication skills to improve work relationships.
- Communications in a Crisis: In this course, you’ll learn how to effectively communicate during a crisis in order to protect an organization.
- Communication in Work Settings: In this course, you’ll study the communication methods that allow you to be successful in the workplace.
- Communicating Strategy and Change: In this course, you’ll study how to adapt to changes in technology in order to continuously provide effective communication.
- Audience Analysis: In this course, you’ll study methods of audience analysis as well as sampling and survey research.
- Global Marketing Communication: This course discusses the principles of marketing and communication within a global landscape.
Of course, the courses you encounter in your studies will depend on the program you choose. Every school is different, so it can be helpful to compare curriculums before applying.
Admissions Requirements
Graduate programs in communication management have several requirements for students who want to be admitted. You can expect these requirements to be more involved than those of a bachelor’s program. Some sample criteria you can expect to encounter include:
- GRE score (only some schools require them)
- Resume
- Personal essay
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, on average
It’s beneficial to review the specific requirements of the programs you’re interested in, as they all have their own admissions requirements.
Accreditation
A school having accreditation can be a valuable asset to students. Put simply, regional accreditation is when a college or university has been formally reviewed by a regional accrediting agency. When given this status, it means that the institution has been found to consistently provide a high-quality education.
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When attending an accredited university, you’ll receive an education that you can be confident in. In addition, employers are more likely to trust your education. Attending an accredited school can also be a precondition for receiving certain forms of financial aid.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Many graduate students seek outside aid to help pay the upfront costs of their education. Fortunately, there are many opportunities for qualifying students to get aid for their masters in communication management or PhD in Strategic Communication online or on campus. For many students, the first route to take is filling out the FAFSA, which is the formal application for federal aid in the form of student loans.
Alternative options to federal loans include both scholarships and grants. These options are essentially free money that is given to you if you’re selected to receive the aid. That said, these options can be competitive and may require persistence in order to receive the aid you require. They’re usually offered on both a local and national level, giving you increased opportunities to receive aid.
What Is a Masters in Communication Management?
A masters in communication management is a graduate degree that can help develop your ability to engage in clear and effective communication within a business setting. You can learn how to apply these skills to internal projects as well as external initiatives.
Graduates from this program might qualify for positions as communications managers. These professionals are often required to communicate objectives to teams, seek opportunities to improve branding, and create improved marketing strategies. This degree path is often beneficial to individuals looking to play a key role in an organization by monitoring communications channels.
What Can You Do with a Master’s Degree in Communication Management?
A Master of Communications Management is likely to open the door to careers across organizations. Due to the high-level communications skills you can develop and the necessity of these skills across the workforce, you may be able to qualify for a variety of positions.
Many graduates go on to take positions as communication managers and directors. That said, others take positions as public relations managers, digital communications managers, or advertising and marketing managers. Graduates may also pursue positions in sales, media, research, education, or human resources. As you can see, there are a range of opportunities for professionals with advanced communication skills.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Masters in Communication Management?
The amount of time that it will take you to complete a master’s in communication management degree will depend on several factors. Generally, you can expect these online communications degree programs to require between 32 and 48 credits, which may take 1 to 2 years to complete with full-time study.
In some cases, students are able to complete 36 credit hour programs in 1 year with full-time and year-round enrollment, including taking courses during the summer. Enrolling part-time could extend the overall length of your studies.
Is It Worth Getting a Masters Degree in Communications Management?
Yes, getting a masters degree in communications management is worth it for many students. These programs aim to prepare students for careers in fields like public relations, media, education, and more.
Students are taught many high-value skills, like communication through digital media, identifying external communications opportunities, and performing market research. As such, this graduate program may help you advance your career opportunities and increase your earning potential.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, advertising, promotions, and marketing managers can expect a growth rate of 10% over the next ten years, which is faster than average. Overall employment for management occupations is expected to grow 8% over the same period.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Communications Management Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Colorado State University offers a Master of Communications and Media Management. The curriculum is designed to focus on corporate communications, public relations, video editing, digital photography, web design, marketing, and media ethics. The program is housed fully online. On average, the 30 required credits can be completed in 2 years when attending full time.
Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Concordia University – St. Paul offers a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Management. The convenient online format is designed with working students in mind. Up to 18 of the 26 required credits may be transferred into the program. On average, the degree may be completed in 2 years.
Concordia University – St. Paul is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
DeVry University offers a Master of Arts in Network and Communications Management. Concentrations are available in Project Management and Information Security. Classes utilize a blend of online and hybrid formats. With the standard attendance model, the program can typically be completed in 30 months. With an accelerated attendance model, the program may be completed in as little as 16 months.
DeVry University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Syracuse University offers a Master of Science in Communications Management. Potential courses include Digital Strategic Communications Management, Financial Accounting, and Applied Research in Content Management and Advertising. The curriculum consists of 36 credits. Classes meet primarily online, though periodic on-campus immersion experiences may be required.
Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Temple University offers a Master of Science in Communication Management. The program aims to equip students with the skills to navigate emerging media, form communication strategies, analyze audiences, and synthesize data. The program requires 31 credits. Concentrations include Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution, Public Relations, and Strategic Communications and Cross-Cultural Leadership.
Temple University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Towson University offers a Master of Science in Communication Management. This program may be an excellent option for those interested in careers in marketing, public relations, and advertising. The program utilizes a hybrid model that combines evening on-campus and asynchronous online coursework. Incoming students are admitted twice each year in summer and fall terms.
Towson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Denver offers a Master of Communication Management. Classes meet online and are typically 10 weeks long. On average, the required coursework can be completed in 18 months of full-time study. Various concentrations are available including Learning and Development, Marketing Communication, Public Relations, Organizational Communication, Organizational Development, and User Experience Strategy.
The University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of North Florida offers a Master of Science in Communication Management. Potential classes include Strategic Communication Theory, Ethics in Communication Management, Theories of Persuasion, Political Advertising, and Social Media Management. The curriculum consists of 36 credits. Classes meet using a blend of online and in-person learning formats.
The University of North Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Southern California offers a Master of Communication Management. The degree program offers specializations in Marketing Communication, Market Research and Analytics, or Strategic and Organizational Communication. The program is entirely online. Graduates may pursue careers in management consulting, marketing promotions and research, sales, and advertising.
USC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Webster University offers a Master of Arts in Communications Management. The curriculum covers various topics, including communication strategy, media production, organizational communications, media regulations, and production management. Students must complete at least 36 total credit hours while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. All classes can be attended conveniently online.
Webster University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Masters in Communications Management Online
Masters degrees in communications management allow students to learn a set of skills that are essential across organizations of all kinds. With these skills in tow, alongside the prestige of a master’s degree, you may consider a variety or career opportunities.
Communications management master’s programs show you how expert communication can enhance a business as well as how you can increase efficiency through communication. Whether it be communicating with team members or driving innovative branding initiatives, you could have the ability to guide a business in an ever-changing environment.
If this interests you, you could begin researching communications management masters programs from accredited institutions today!
