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Master of Arts in Communication Studies Online

Explore communication theories that resonate with specific audiences and develop highly valued expertise. Grow your proficiency in the subtleties of different communication channels and methods while preparing you to voice your message in a format that best resonates with your audience.

Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25

Program Overview

Explore the 100% online Master of Arts in Communication Studies program at Arkansas State University

Expand your career path with a Master of Arts in Communication Studies online degree from Arkansas State University. This graduate level program improves your effectiveness in communicating with small and large audiences, making you a valuable asset to any business organization. Sharpen your research and writing skills, and gain insight into nonverbal and multicultural communication.

Throughout this online master’s program, you will grow your proficiency in the subtleties of different communication methods—preparing you to voice your message in a format that best resonates with your audience. Gain knowledge about multicultural and nonverbal communication, communication theories, and research and writing techniques that help you craft effective messaging.

Learning qualitative and quantitative research methods along with models and theories of human communication will allow you to create meaning in your communications. The competencies you acquire can help you move up into management roles such as program director and communications or content management, as well as teaching at the higher-education level.

The 100% online Master of Arts in Communication Studies degree at Arkansas State University is designed for flexibility and is customizable to meet your interests, with electives making up more than half of the program. Create a curriculum that helps you achieve your personal and professional goals on your own schedule in this affordable degree program.

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As a graduate, you will be prepared for career advancement into communications roles including:

  • Communications Manager
  • Program Manager
  • College Instructor
  • Content Manager
As a graduate, you will be prepared for career advancement into communications roles including:+
  • Communications Manager
  • Program Manager
  • College Instructor
  • Content Manager
+

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $10,200
Program Duration: As few as 10 months
Credit Hours 30
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

Earning your master of arts online is cost-effective

Our M.A. in Communication Studies online program offers the same affordable tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $10,200

Calendar

Review deadlines and start dates for the flexible M.A. in Communication Studies

Our completely online M.A. in Communication Studies offers multiple start date options and accelerated coursework with working professional students in mind.

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
Spring 11/13/2512/16/2412/18/241/9/251/10/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/28/253/6/253/7/255/2/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 2/24/25
Start Class 3/10/25

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

Check the requirements for our M.A. in Communication Studies program

A-State Online has a streamlined admission process for new students and transfers alike. Students who are interested in the M.A. in Communication Studies online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Writing sample
View all admission requirements +

  • Complete online application and submit a nonrefundable $30 fee.
  • Have a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution.
  • Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institutions.
  • Submit a writing sample that showcases applicants' writing abilities and demonstrates creative thinking skills. Examples of acceptable samples include a term or research paper or rhetorical analysis.

Submit all documents to:

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


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

Courses

Preview the M.A. in Communications Studies online courses

The M.A. in Communication Studies online program requires 30 credit hours of coursework. Students will take four required core courses (12 credit hours) and choose six elective courses that are COMS or STCM courses (18 credit hours).

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Expand All

Students must complete the following 4 courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of the tools and techniques of empirical research as they may be applied to media and communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories, models, and approaches relevant to the study of human communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Survey of research methods, theories and constructs, and selected studies of the communication discipline.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Major approaches to qualitative inquiry in the fields of media and communication. Students will gain experience in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative data as well as in writing qualitative research reports.

Students must select six courses (18 credit hours) from the following choices. Two courses (6 credit hours) must be 6000-level courses. Other COMS/STCM graduate courses may satisfy the elective requirements.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course covers interpersonal communication in the context of personal relationships such as romantic relationships, friendships, professional relationships, and family relationships.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the history and philosophy of the pedagogy of communication studies, to include both theoretical and applied aspects of the discipline.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce students to foundational as well as current theory and research in interpersonal communication. Students will examine several interpersonal communication contexts and processes as well as methodologies in interpersonal communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination of a broad range of rhetorical theories to help students make critical and analytical applications to public discourse.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course will introduce students to intercultural communication and function of organization communication in the workplace, addressing how effective communication within organizations affects business and how to advance intercultural skills while being aware of different world views.
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
Examination of the International Intellectual Property System (IIPS) and its development in response to international trade and digital innovations. Subject areas include a primary focus on copyright and trademark with some coverage of patent law.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines concepts and applications of social media within mass communications, news, advertising, and public relations industries. We will explore and apply social media tools, integrating them into an organization’s overall communication strategy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the world of online interactive advertising. It surveys a variety of important topics, from integrating social media initiatives into the overall marketing communications plan to online display ads to developing an effective search engine strategy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Measurement and improvement of investment outcomes from use of social media in advertising, public relations, and marketing communications.
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
Application of principles of privacy law and technology to current legal and policy problems.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course provides an introduction to media laws and regulations, addressing how they impact media managers, how to allocate necessary resources, and how to remain current as to media policies and regulations.
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
Advanced study of the principles and practice of media account management. Includes an in-depth analysis of advantages and disadvantages of multiple media platforms in communicating messages to diverse target audiences and a discussion of effective and ethical client relationships.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Seminar in Strategic Communications - The role of strategic communications in and for organizations and brands, including communications objective(s), target audience(s), and key messages. Addresses application of communication theory and research related to public relations, advertising, and social media.

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