2024 Master's in Communication Programs in Washington, DC (Online, Campus)

Campus Programs in D.C.
Online Master’s in Communication Programs in D.C.
Directory of All Master’s in Communication Programs in D.C.

Washington, D.C. has five schools offering a total of 16 master’s in communication programs, 10 of which are offered on-campus, and six of which are offered online. In addition, within the 16 programs, several offer multiple specializations within the field of communication. Individual programs vary in the type and number of specializations they offer students, but examples of specializations include corporate and organizational communication, political communication, global communication, public relations and media relations, health communication, digital communication, strategic communication, and diversity and multicultural communication.

All schools listed on this page are non-profit institutions that have received regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Campus-Based Master’s in Communication Programs in the District of Columbia

Washington, D.C. has numerous universities offering master’s in communication programs. American University’s (AU) School of Communication has a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication that includes five optional concentrations: Advocacy and Social Impact, Digital Communication Strategies and Analytics, Corporate Communication and Reputation Management, International Strategic Communication, and Diversity and Multicultural Communication. Students in this program take core classes in the principles of strategic communication, writing methods for strategic communication, communication theory, and research for strategic communication. They then progress to a variety of electives that allow them to tailor their degree program to their interests in strategic communication, such as social media marketing, communication for social change, health communication strategies, web development, political advertising, multicultural strategic communication campaigns, and multimedia skills. For their final graduation requirement, students complete a capstone project in strategic communication, which can be either a research paper or a strategic communication project.

AU’s School of Public Affairs and the School of Communication jointly offer a Master of Arts in Political Communication. This program includes core classes that cover political communication principles and strategies, political writing, strategic communication research, communication theory, advocacy, and American public policy. Students then complete one or more courses from American University’s Campaign Management Institute, which provides training for engagement in political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. Afterwards, students can choose from electives in areas such as speechwriting, digital advocacy, crisis communication, political advertising, voting behavior and elections, foreign policy communications, and journalism. For their culminating experience in the program, students complete a political communication capstone research project.

Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts & Sciences Advanced Academics Programs offers a Master of Arts in Communication with optional concentrations in Applied Research in Communication, Public and Media Relations, Political Communication, Health Communication, Digital Communication, and Corporate and Non-Profit Communication. Core classes give students a foundation in quantitative and qualitative communication research methods, research writing, persuasive rhetoric, and behavior change through communication. Students can also complete a strategic communication practicum to fulfill one of their core course requirements. Electives for the program include courses in organizational communication, social media, political communication strategy, public affairs communication, advertising and brand development, crisis communication, and national and international media relations.

Online Master's in Communication Programs that Accept Students from DC
Johns Hopkins University	Online Master of Arts in Communication with Concentrations in Public and Media Relations, Political Communication, Health Communication, Digital Communication, and Corporate and Non-Profit Communication	Program Website
Georgetown University	Online Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations & Corporate Communications	Program Website
Syracuse University	Online Master of Science in Communications with Specializations in Strategic Communications, Journalism Innovation, and Media Management	Program Website
Southern New Hampshire University	Online Master of Arts in Communication with Optional Concentrations in New Media & Marketing, and Public Relations	Program Website

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The George Washington University (GW) offers several master’s programs in communication through different schools and departments. GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Organizational Sciences and Communication offers a Master of Arts in Communication Management, which prepares students to create and implement communication plans for organizations’ internal and external-facing communications. This program has core courses in persuasive rhetoric, communication theory, leadership in communication, and professional communication across different industries. Students also take courses in statistics, behavioral science, and social psychology. Electives for this program allow students to tailor their program according to their interests, and include courses in intercultural communication, health communication, organizational leadership, international business strategy, media effects, conflict mediation, and team leadership.

The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Media & Public Affairs (SMPA) also offers a Master of Arts in Media & Strategic Communication, which aims to prepare communication professionals for work in political communication and media strategies. Core courses in the program cover topics in strategic political communication, public opinion and persuasion, communication data analytics, public relations in politics, communication research, crisis communication, and social media. For their electives, students can choose courses from both the SMPA and other departments at the school, with their advisor’s approval.

GW also offers a Master of Arts in Global Communication through the SMPA and the Elliot School of International Affairs. Students in this program take a combination of courses in global communication and its impact on international governments, security, and business, as well as classes on international economic development, strategic communication, intercultural communication, public speaking, and communication research methods. After completing the core curriculum, students can choose between 14 specializations that prepare them to manage communications concerning a global issue or a major region of the world, such as Communication and Informational Technology in International Affairs, Global Health, Public Diplomacy, Asian Studies, or Middle East Studies.

Georgetown University offers four campus-based Master of Arts programs in communication through different schools and departments. Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. This program prepares students to engage in clear, effective, and ethical communications for a variety of organizations. Students take core courses in communications planning, public relations strategy, communication research, and communication ethics before progressing to their choice of electives in such areas as corporate communications, advocacy and public mobilization, digital measurement and analytics, crisis communication management, grassroots communication and coalition building, and leadership in communication.

Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies also offers a Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), which includes intensive core coursework in consumer behavior research, brand development, and marketing campaign planning and implementation. After students complete the core curriculum, they can select electives in areas that match their professional goals, such as career planning, digital marketing, personal branding, and integrated marketing campaign management. The Public Relations & Corporate Communications and the Integrated Marketing Communications programs are also both offered in a hybrid format where students can combine on-campus and online courses.

Georgetown University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Arts in Communication, Culture and Technology, an interdisciplinary program focusing on the impact of new technology on society. Students largely design their own curriculum in this program. After completing three core courses that cover interdisciplinary research methods and key topics in technology and culture, students can choose electives in Art, Media, and Representation; Cultural Studies; Globalization Studies; Media and Politics; Research Methods; Technology and Society; Technology, Business, and the Economy; and Technology, Information, and Innovation Policy.

Finally, Georgetown University’s Linguistics Department offers a Master of Arts in Language and Communication that allows students to explore and analyze sociolinguistics and discourse across cultures and narrative forms. Students take courses in general linguistics, phonetics, and phonology, before progressing to advanced courses in sociolinguistics, ethnography of communication, language and politics, and discourse analysis.

Online Master’s in Communication Programs in Washington, D.C.

At present, four universities in Washington, D.C. offer online master’s in communication programs. These programs may be ideal for students who cannot attend weekly scheduled classes on-campus and for students who need addition flexibility to earn their degree due to personal or professional obligations.

American University’s School of Communication offers an Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication with optional concentrations in Advocacy and Social Impact, and Digital Communication Strategies and Analytics. This program is equivalent to the University’s campus-based MA in Strategic Communication, in terms of structure, curriculum, and graduation requirements.

Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies offers online versions of two of the University’s master’s in communication programs. The Online Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations & Corporate Communication, and Online Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Marketing Communications have the same curriculum, capstone requirements, and other graduation requirements as their on-campus counterparts.

Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Advanced Academic Programs offers an Online Master of Arts in Communication with the same optional concentrations as its on-campus program (Applied Research in Communication, Public and Media Relations, Political Communication, Health Communication, Digital Communication, and Corporate and Non-Profit Communication). The curriculum and graduation requirements between the campus and online programs are also equivalent.

Trinity Washington University’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies offers an online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Public Relations that prepares students to become effective managers of communications and public relations for organizations. This program includes core courses on multicultural media history, public relations writing, journalism, and media law. Students are also required to take a course in strategic communication research methods and two professional skills courses that cover public relation campaigns, public relations writing across digital platforms, or public relations management. Electives allow students to delve into areas such as web design, digital storytelling, persuasive writing, non-profit and advocacy, and crisis communication.

Directory of Master’s in Communication Programs in Washington, DC

Featured Online Master's in Communication Programs
Johns Hopkins University	Online Master of Arts in Communication with Concentrations in Public and Media Relations, Political Communication, Health Communication, Digital Communication, and Corporate and Non-Profit Communication	Program Website
Georgetown University	Online Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations & Corporate Communications	Program Website
Syracuse University	Online Master of Science in Communications with Specializations in Strategic Communications, Journalism Innovation, and Media Management	Program Website
Southern New Hampshire University	Online Master of Arts in Communication with Optional Concentrations in New Media & Marketing, and Public Relations	Program Website
West Virginia University	Online Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications with Specializations in Creative Strategy, Data Marketing Communications, Digital and Social Media, Healthcare Communication, Higher Education Marketing, Management, and Public Relations Leadership	Program Website