Answer: Yes – There are online master’s degree programs in communication and its related specializations that students can complete in approximately one year of full-time study. Currently, MastersinCommunications.com lists a total of 50 such programs available from universities in the U.S. While most of these programs can be finished in as little as one year, the majority are designed to span anywhere from 12 to 24 months or more. The actual length will depend on several factors, primarily students’ enrollment schedule (full-time vs. part-time) and the number of courses they choose to take each term. Typically, students will need to enroll full time and take a full course load every semester in order to graduate in a year.

Students looking to complete a master’s degree in communication online in one year have a number of options to choose from. At this time, there are 50 programs that allow students to earn their degree in approximately 12 months of full-time study. For students to finish in this timeframe, they must typically take a full-time course load and enroll in classes throughout the entire year. In addition, the ability to finish a program in one year may be dependent on when a student starts the program, especially if it requires students to complete courses in a specific order. For example, in some programs, it may be possible for students who start in the Fall semester to graduate in one year, however, students who start in Summer or Spring may need longer based on course availability.

Students should note that the ability to graduate in 12 to 16 months may not be guaranteed and may also not be recommended by some programs, even if it is technically possible. The majority of master’s in communication programs require 30 to 45 credit hours, which equates to somewhere between 10 to 13 courses. Students who wish to graduate in one year have to dedicate a significant amount of time to their graduate studies, and will typically be required to take three to four courses per semester for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

At the bottom of this page, there is a table of online master’s in communication programs that can be completed in approximately one year. While all of these programs offer students the opportunity to earn their degree in approximately 12 months, the actual time it takes to complete each program may vary. For example, the online Master of Arts in Communication program at Johns Hopkins University, which offers optional concentrations in fields such as Public and Media Relations, Political Communication, Health Communication, and more, is designed to span 12 to 16 months if students enroll full time, taking three to four courses per semester. However, part-time students, who only take one or two courses each semester, will typically need two to three years to finish the program, and all students have up to five years to complete their degree, if necessary. Similarly, Texas Tech University’s online Master’s in Strategic Communication and Innovation program may require anywhere from one to three years, depending on if students take one, two, or three courses a semester.

Additional Factors Impacting Time to Completion

Along with enrollment schedule, there are several other factors that can influence how long it takes students to complete an online master’s in communication program. To start with, some online programs offer students the choice between two or more different capstone options, which may require different time commitments. A capstone is a final, culminating project students must complete in order to graduate and earn their degree. In the case of online master’s in communication programs, capstone options most typically include a project, portfolio, comprehensive exam, or internship; however, some programs give students the option to write a thesis, and others might have no capstone requirement at all.

When it comes to programs with multiple options, students’ choice of capstone may impact the time it takes for them to graduate. For example, an exam or applied project generally requires less time than a thesis, which involves extensive research and writing. As such, students who choose the thesis option may need additional terms to complete their capstone and finish their program.

For more information about the different factors that can influence how long it takes to earn a master’s degree in communication, check out our FAQ entitled: How Long is a Master’s in Communication Program?

Online Master’s in Communication Programs That Can Be Completed in 12 to 16 Months

The table below contains a comprehensive list of online master’s in communication programs that mention they can be completed in approximately one year. Students should contact prospective schools directly to confirm that graduating in as few as 12 to 16 months is possible and to determine the course load that is required to graduate in that timeframe.