The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offers an online Master of Arts in Professional Communication through its Department of Communication. This program is designed to give students a wide range of in-demand skills in professional communication, which they can apply to a wide variety of industry contexts. UAF’s eCampus allows students to complete courses asynchronously to maximize their flexibility in incorporating earning their graduate degree into their existing professional and personal obligations. Graduates of the MA in Professional Communication are prepared to enter roles in areas such as organizational and corporate communication, mass and digital communication, crisis communication, media studies, market research, and more.
The curriculum for this program consists of 33 course credits, divided across 21 credits (7 courses) of core Professional Communication classes, six credits (2 courses) of electives, and either a master’s thesis or a non-thesis research project as their culminating experience, which fulfills six credits. The core courses cover Quantitative Research Methods in Communication; Communication Research Methods: Human Science; Communication in Interpersonal Relationships; Communication Theory; Teambuilding; Organizational Communication; and Communication and Diversity in the Professional World.
From there, students choose two electives from the following courses: Public Relations Theory and Practice; Communication in Health Contexts; Training and Development Communication; and a Seminar in Communication that can vary in main topic depending on the faculty member who teaches the seminar and their research expertise. Through the core and elective courses, students learn how to leverage communication research methods in investigating stakeholders’ communication needs, and translating their findings into compelling communication campaigns and initiatives for both internal and external-facing audiences.
For their final graduation requirement, students choose either a master’s thesis or a non-thesis research project. The master’s thesis consists of an original scholarly work that investigates a communication issue or problem. Students receive guidance from a faculty advisor during their work.
For the professional research project, students also benefit from faculty support during their work. The distinction between the thesis and the research project is the research project does not have to follow the formal five-chapter format of a thesis. Examples of research projects students can complete can include publishable book chapters, journal articles, or a professional deliverable such as a corporate communication plan or a case study.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Online Master of Arts in Professional Communication
Overview
Department: Department of 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 2 years, students have up to 7 years to earn their degree
Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
Credits Required: 33 credits (9 courses + capstone)
Thesis Required: No
Capstone Options: Thesis or capstone project
Example Courses: Quantitative Research Methods in Communication; Communication in Interpersonal Relationships; Communication Theory; Teambuilding; Organizational Communication; Communication and Diversity in the Professional World; Training and Development Communication
Admission Requirements
Application Requirements: Bachelor's degree; directed narrative; writing sample
GPA Requirements: Minimum GPA 3.0
Testing Requirements: GRE not required
Tuition Costs
Estimated Tuition*: ~$18,725 + fees
Cost per Credit Hour: $539 per credit hour
State Authorizations: Program accepts students from all 50 states
