Mass media management professional working with computer equipment

Master's in Media Management Online

Arkansas State University's 100% online M.S. in Media Management – Mass Media Management program spans 30 credit hours, can be completed in as few as 12 months and costs $10,500 in total tuition ($350 per credit hour). Designed for working journalists, broadcasters and advertising and public relations professionals, it prepares graduates for advancement into roles such as media manager, public relations director, communications director, news director, station manager and other management positions.

Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27

Program Overview

What does A-State's online M.S. in Media Management – Mass Media Management offer?

Refine your skills in public relations, integrated communications, entrepreneurship and news and broadcast in the Master of Science in Media Management, Mass Media Management program at A-State Online.

This uniquely versatile program is the only degree of its kind in Arkansas, combining an essential foundation in media communications with the knowledge and skills specific to your career goals.

You will study such diverse topics as media entrepreneurship, crisis communication, media account management, and more. You will address communication industry challenges and creative product development, will analyze the communication of messages to diverse target audiences, and will discuss effective and ethical client relationships.

A-State’s M.S. in Media Management provides an advanced degree that focuses on interpersonal and group communication in mass media and online environments. In addition to emphasizing skills in emerging media and communications, our MSMM – Mass Media Mgmt. online degree prepares you for management positions so you can advance in your career.

In this program, you’ll learn how to:

  • Apply appropriate theories to address media problems and issues in mediated communication
  • Critically evaluate media problems and issues in a global, multicultural environment
  • Apply appropriate methods to address media problems and issues in mediated communication
In this program, you’ll learn how to:+
  • Apply appropriate theories to address media problems and issues in mediated communication
  • Critically evaluate media problems and issues in a global, multicultural environment
  • Apply appropriate methods to address media problems and issues in mediated communication

As a graduate, you will be prepared for media management roles in areas such as:

  • Journalism
  • Broadcasting
  • Advertising
  • Public relations
  • Sales
  • News and broadcast
  • Non-profit organizations
As a graduate, you will be prepared for media management roles in areas such as:+
  • Journalism
  • Broadcasting
  • Advertising
  • Public relations
  • Sales
  • News and broadcast
  • Non-profit organizations

Prepare for career advancement into titles such as:

  • Media Manager/ Media Planner
  • Public Relations Manager / Public Relations Director
  • Communications Director / Marketing Communications Manager
  • Advertising Manager
  • Account Director
  • Sales Manager
  • News Director
  • Station Manager
Prepare for career advancement into titles such as:+
  • Media Manager/ Media Planner
  • Public Relations Manager / Public Relations Director
  • Communications Director / Marketing Communications Manager
  • Advertising Manager
  • Account Director
  • Sales Manager
  • News Director
  • Station Manager

Also available:

The M.S. in Media Management program shares the same credit-hour structure and total tuition as every other A-State Media Management concentration, so the choice comes down to coursework. If you’re weighing your options within Media tracks or in related degrees, explore the additional programs below:

Total Tuition: $10,500
Program Duration: As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Our M.S. in Media Management Preps You For the Real World.

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Tuition

How much does the online M.S. in Media Management – Mass Media Management cost?

Our Master of Science in Media Management, Mass Media Management track online offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $350
Total Tuition: $10,500

Calendar

When can you start the online M.S. in Media Management – Mass Media Management?

Our M.S. in Media Management, Mass Media Management track online is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/272/22/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/28/26
Start Class 1/11/27

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the online M.S. in Media Management – Mass Media Management?

Admission to the M.S. in Media Management, Mass Media Management track is based on a variety of evidence, including educational and professional experience. Students who are interested in this online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Letter of recommendation
View all admission requirements +

  • Complete online application and submit a nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • Have a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution.
  • Per Graduate School guidelines, to gain unconditional admission a student must also have a 3.0 GPA for any prior graduate courses or programs.
  • Submit a letter of recommendation
  • Provide a written statement of purpose (500 words) addressing the applicant's interest in obtaining this degree.

Preferably an applicant's undergraduate background will include courses with grades of "C" or higher in some media or media-related field or professional media experience. If a student has neither of the above they should address this deficiency in their statement of purpose and explain how this degree will help them meet their professional goals in order to be considered for admission.

Any potential graduate transfer credits must be from another accredited institution. No more than 6 hours of transfer work, if any, will be accepted. Only in exceptional cases will transfer courses be allowed to meet degree requirements in the MSMM program.

Students must have a 3.0 GPA in any graduate coursework or programs and have completed 18 hours of coursework to meet graduation requirements. Students in the online Master of Science in Media Management degree will complete a capstone course in lieu of taking the Comprehensive Examination.

Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

A-State is ranked among the Top Public Universities in America by Niche.com, 2026.

Courses

What courses are in the online M.S. in Media Management – Mass Media Management curriculum?

Students pursuing the Master of Science in Media Management, Mass Media Management track must complete 30 credit hours of coursework, including the six core courses (18 credit hours) and four courses (12 credit hours) specific to Mass Media Management. In order to meet graduation requirements, students must achieve a 3.0 GPA in all graduate coursework taken in the College of Liberal Arts and Communications. Students in the online Master of Science in Media Management program will complete a CAPSTONE course in lieu of taking a Comprehensive Examination.

You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of mass communications models, theory development, mass communications theories and theory relationships to research in mass communications.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Using social scientific research methods for audience/consumer analysis, this course provides a survey of applications of research in media industries. Pragmatic task activities will be conducted via Nielsen, Arbitron, SRDS and related data sources to find audience market insights.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Current and emerging issues in communications policy and regulation, including privacy, libel, FTC and FCC regulations, First Amendment issues, copyright and trademarks.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An advanced study of the elements, problems, and responsibilities of radio and television station management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of the tools and techniques of empirical research as they may be applied to mass communications.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE. Discussion and application of MSMM program-provided content to address real-world media management problems. Course should be taken the final term of completing degree requirements. Strongly recommended it be the only course of enrollment that term.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on the strategic integration of various channels and methods of communication for the purpose of delivering key messages to diverse target audiences in order to elicit responses, create a dialogue and engender relationship-building.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will focus on development of entrepreneurial products by taking an idea from conception to production completion while practicing aspects of management, financing, and entrepreneurship. Students will address communication industry dilemmas that address creative product development.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An investigation of communications during crises, focusing on public relations, advertising and other persuasive efforts by institutions, corporations, movement leaders, and citizens to describe, persuade and shape human interactions with their environment during a crisis.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced study of the principles and practice of advertising account management. Includes an in-depth analysis of advantages and disadvantages of multiple media platforms and strategic communication in communicating messages to diverse target audiences and a discussion of effective and ethical client relationships.

Built for Your Schedule, Not Your Zip Code

Arkansas State University's M.S. in Media Management – Mass Media Management is built for working media professionals anywhere in the U.S. who want a graduate credential without relocating to Jonesboro. Because the program is completed entirely online and every U.S. resident pays the same tuition ($10,500 total), your location does not limit your access. For state authorization details, visit the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

FAQ

Mass Media Management Master’s Online FAQs

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Four track courses (12 credit hours). Integrated Marketing Communications covers integrating channels and methods to deliver key messages and build relationships with diverse audiences. Media Entrepreneurship takes an idea from conception to production while practicing management, financing and entrepreneurship. Crisis Communication investigates communication during crises, including public relations, advertising and other persuasive efforts. Advertising Account Management covers account management principles, the trade-offs among media platforms and ethical client relationships.
Public relations: Crisis Communication and Integrated Marketing Communications. News and broadcast: Advanced Studies in Broadcast Management, a core course on the elements, problems and responsibilities of radio and television station management. Advertising: Advertising Account Management. Entrepreneurship: Media Entrepreneurship.
Both are 30 credit hours at $10,500. Media Management has a six-course core in mass communication theory, broadcast management and media management applications. The M.S. in Strategic Communications has a five-course applied core in audience analysis, advertising account management and a capstone. GPA requirements and degree completion timelines also differ.
All three Media Management tracks prepare students for non-profit management roles. The Public Administration track adds public administration coursework, including a human resources management seminar for public and nonprofit organizations and Administrative Ethics. Mass Media suits students heading to public relations, news, broadcast, advertising or sales roles.

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