University of Florida – College of Journalism and Communications

The University of Florida (UF) offers an online Master of Arts in Mass Communication through its College of Journalism and Communications. The degree can be completed entirely online and offers numerous concentration options. The program uses both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. For classes that have synchronous (i.e., live) sessions, students meet online for lectures using Zoom video conferencing software. These sessions are usually held in the evening so that working students can attend. In addition, to enhance flexibility for students, these synchronous Zoom sessions are recorded for later viewing should students be unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. UF uses the Canvas learning management system for their e-Learning platform. Students are able to access all of their course materials, including asynchronous course modules and recorded synchronous video sessions, through Canvas.

The Master of Arts in Mass Communication is a career-focused program that emphasizes digital proficiency through seven different concentrations. The total credit hours vary from 36 to 37 credits, based on academic concentration. Students may select from a concentration in the following areas:

• Digital Journalism and Multimedia Storytelling
• Digital Strategy
• Global Strategic Communication
• Public Interest Communication
• Public Relations
• Social Media
• Web Design

Students learn how to use a range of digital tools and platforms to identify marketplace patterns and trends and communicate those findings effectively. Below is an overview of each academic concentration.

Digital Journalism and Multimedia Storytelling: The Digital Journalism and Multimedia Storytelling consists of 37 credit hours. Students learn about each step in the digital journalism process, from research and interviewing to reporting, writing, editing, and technical media skills. In addition, they discuss and analyze digital and social media challenges, and learn how to craft stories according to target audiences. Sample courses include Principles of Journalism, Multimedia Editing, Research Methods in Mass Communication, Social Media for Journalists, and Data Storytelling and Visualization.

The capstone asks students to complete a piece of journalism by engaging in every step of the journalistic process, from the idea development stage to the research, the use of multimedia tools, and the final edits. Through the capstone, students also evaluate each other’s journalistic work and reflect on their growth as professional writers.

Digital Strategy: The Digital Strategy concentration requires 36 credit hours of study. Students learn about the latest in digital marketing, customer engagement, web copy writing, lead generation and conversion optimization, and how to craft, launch and evaluate effective online marketing campaigns. Sample courses include UX Theory and Research, Copywriting for Digital Messaging, Lead Generation and Management, Inbound Strategy, Social Media Advertising, and Search and Display Advertising.

The capstone requires a team project that includes real-world marketing challenges and provides experience planning, implementing, and overseeing digital marketing campaigns, as well as measuring and presenting upon the results of marketing initiatives.

Global Strategic Communication: The Global Strategic Communication concentration requires 36 credit hours. Students explore effective communication practices as starting points for positive global change, including leveraging problem solving using strategic interpersonal communication skills within different cultural contexts. Sample courses include Foundations of Intercultural Communication, Video Storytelling, International Issues and Crisis Communication, Public Affairs Communication, Applied Strategic Communication Research Methods, and Global Activism and Social Change Communication.

The capstone requires students to devise and execute a strategic plan that addresses a real-world need in strategic global communication. Through their capstone, students must identify a global strategic communication issue or challenge and conduct research to devise, implement, and evaluate their communication plan.

Public Interest Communication: The Public Interest Communication concentration requires 36 credit hours of study. Students learn how to advance human wellness and the public interest through interdisciplinary communication strategies that drive social progress and support non-profit organizations. Example classes include Introduction to Public Interest Communication, The Art and Science of Storytelling, PIC Theory and Strategy, and Measuring Change: Research, Polling, and Evaluation.

The capstone requires students to work in teams to complete a public interest communication plan, utilizing their skills in research, data analysis, strategic communication, and presentation. The communication campaign they create will must apply to a real-world public interest communication need, but students have a choice in the type of project they undertake as long as it abides by capstone guidelines.

Public Relations: The Public Relations concentration requires 36 credit hours of study. Example courses include Public Relations Theory, Strategic Writing for Public Relations, Measurement and Evaluation, and Strategy and Messaging. This concentration prepares students for a wide variety of public relations roles across organizations ranging from private companies to non-profits.

For their capstone project, students apply their writing, multimedia, and data analysis skills to create a strategic communication plan that solves a real issue or challenge in public relations. Through their capstone, students conduct research to arrive at data-driven strategic decisions to optimize external-facing communication.

Social Media: The Social Media concentration requires 36 credit hours of study. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of each social media platform and develop skills in engaging with stakeholders to craft social media messaging and campaigns, create effective content and measure their results. Sample courses include Branding Using Social and Mobile Media, Social Media and Emerging Technology, Introduction to Social Media, Research Methods in Digital Communication, Introduction to Multimedia (Video Storytelling), and Advertising and Social Media.

The capstone requires students to create a social media campaign, including a content calendar, to promote an organization or social cause of their choosing. Through their capstone, students conduct social media research to inform their communication campaign, and also evaluate the efficacy of their strategic communication plan.

Web Design: The Web Design concentration requires 37 credit hours of study. Students learn about the fundamentals of front-end design practices using Adobe Creative Suite, modern approaches to user experience, and design and coding languages such as PHP, HTML5 and CSS3. Example courses include Digital Imagery in Web Design, Digital Media Layout and Design, Web Design Principles, User Experience Theory and Research, Foundations of Visual Communications Design, and Web Interactivity and Engagement.

The capstone requires students to create and present a communication campaign that integrates all the concepts and skills students learned regarding branding, layouts, strategic communication, coding, web design, and research and data analysis.

In addition to the seven concentrations from which students can choose in the Master of Arts in Mass Communication program, the University of Florida also offers graduate certificate programs in Global Strategic Communication, Media Sales, Social Media, and Web Design.

A unique benefit of the University of Florida’s online graduate programs is the opportunity they provide students to continue taking graduate-level courses on the latest communication methods, strategies, and technologies at a special alumni rate. After earning their Master of Arts in Mass Communication, students can return to the University of Florida and observe as many courses as they wish for a $500 annual fee, which is less than the price of one graduate course. Known as the Master Access program, this feature enables graduates of the program to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and technologies.

The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

*Estimated tuition is calculated by multiplying the cost per credit hour by the number of credits required to graduate. It does not include fees or other expenses.