The University of Memphis offers an online Master of Arts in Communication through its Department of Communication & Film. This versatile program has curriculum options that prepare students to work in professional communication, speech and communication education, and health communication. This program is offered completely asynchronously, to offer students maximum flexibility in scheduling their courses and completing coursework.
Students have the flexibility to craft their own course of study in the program, as long as they take 3 credits of communication theory (one course) and 3 credits of communication research methods. From there, students can choose from electives in areas such as persuasion and influence, intercultural communication, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication. In addition, they can choose courses in health communication that cover health literacy, public health campaigns, public health communication, and rhetoric in the health sciences and medicine. Students who want to specialize in health communication specifically can earn a Graduate Certificate in Health Communication without taking any additional courses beyond the MA degree, if they apply their elective credits to complete all of the certificate’s health communication course requirements.
For their culminating experience, students can choose between a final project or a comprehensive examination. For the final project, students design and complete a communication-related deliverable that is relevant to their career interests, or write a research paper that connects to their scholarly interests in communication or education, and which can provide a springboard into doctoral research. The comprehensive examination tests students on all of the coursework in the program and students’ ability to apply the principles and practices they have learned to real professional scenarios. Students who opt for the examination route must take one additional elective, as the project fulfills 3 credits.
The University of Memphis is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Online Master of Arts in Communication
Overview
Department: Department of Communication and Film
Specializations/Concentrations: Optional Graduate Certificate in Health Communication
Websites: Department
and Program
Program Format
Structure: Online program with no required campus visits
Instruction Methods: Program uses asynchronous instruction
Campus Visits Required: No
Program Length: Program can be completed in 12 to 16 months (three to four semesters)
Start Dates: Fall admission only
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
Credits Required: 30 to 33 credits (10-11 courses)
Thesis Required: No
Capstone Options: Special project or comprehensive exams
Example Courses: Health Literacy, Public Health Campaigns, Persuasion & Influence, Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Health Communication
Admission Requirements
Application Requirements: Bachelor's degree in communication or a related field; CV or resume; writing sample; statement of purpose; two letters of recommendation
GPA Requirements: Minimum GPA 2.5
Testing Requirements: GRE not required
Tuition Costs
Estimated Tuition*: ~$19,380 to ~$21,318 + fees
Cost per Credit Hour: $646 per credit hour
State Authorizations: Program accepts students from all 50 states
