Kansas has six schools that offer a total of nine master’s in communication programs, seven of which are campus-based and two of which are online. Across these programs’ offerings, students can explore areas such as organizational communication, public relations, mass communication, and political communication. All the schools listed on this page are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and are non-profit universities.
Campus-Based Master’s in Communication Programs in Kansas
Kansas State University’s A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications offers a Master of Arts in Communication Studies program that provides students with a strong understanding of the theory, methods, and history of communication, as well as knowledge of how to optimize communications for corporate, political, interpersonal, health-related, and other contexts. Students of this program take core courses in communication research methods, diverse perspectives on communication, classical and/or contemporary rhetorical theory, and rhetorical criticism. Electives students may take in this program cover topics in communication and technology, communication research, community-building rhetoric, leadership communication, engagement through communication, small group communication, and intercultural communication. After completing their coursework, students fulfill a final project requirement in order to graduate, which can take the form of a comprehensive exam, a literature review essay, or a master’s thesis (students who choose the exam or the literature review must take additional courses to fulfill credit requirements for the program). Depending on the course, students of this program may be able to complete part of their class requirements through online learning.
The A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications also offers a Master of Science in Mass Communications. Students can choose from a Research Track or a Professional Track. The Research Track features core courses in communication theory, research methods, advanced qualitative or quantitative research methods, and applied research in mass media. Students of the Professional Track take similar core courses in communication theory, research methods, and applied mass media research; however, they also take courses in digital media audiences and analytics, as well as practical mass communication strategies. Beyond their choice of track, students choose graduate-level electives to tailor their course of study, and have the option of selecting courses outside of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. For their culminating experience, students of the Research Track must complete a master’s thesis in order to graduate, while students of the Professional Track complete a mass communication practicum and self-reflective report that they must defend before faculty.
Search Master's in Communication Programs
Pittsburg State University offers a flexible Master of Arts in Communication degree program through its Department of Communication. This program enables students to design their course of study according to their academic and professional interests. Students in the program complete core classes in mass communication theory and human communication, as well as the principles of graduate study and research, before taking classes in more specialized areas such as mass media management, editorial writing, media analysis, international communication, and organizational communication. For their final graduation requirement, students can choose from a master’s thesis, an applied research project, and a seminar paper. Regardless of which culminating experience they choose, students must present and defend their work before a committee of Department of Communication faculty members.
The University of Kansas’ Department of Communication Studies offers a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication at its Edwards campus. Students of this program take core classes in communication theory, organizational communication strategy, communication leadership, interviews and focus-group research, writing and speaking for leading decisions, interpersonal communication, and persuasive communication for management. Electives that students can choose from cover topics in areas such as communication technology, corporate training, employee role development, intergenerational workplace communication, team development, conflict dynamics, intercultural communication and inclusivity, and remote team communication. The final requirement for this program is either a capstone project or a comprehensive exam.
The University of Kansas also has a Master of Arts in Communication Studies at its Lawrence campus, with research areas of focus in Relationships and Social Interaction, and Rhetoric and Political Communication. Students take core courses in historical and descriptive communication research, behavioral and social sciences in communication research, and the history of communication theory and scholarship. For their area of focus in the program, students can choose from courses in interpersonal communication, political communication, identification and stigma, teaching oral communication, neoclassical rhetorical theory, intergroup relations, myth and narrative in rhetorical criticism, and comparative speech communication theories. In order to graduate, students must complete either a master’s thesis on a scholarly research question, or an examination plus additional coursework. For the master’s thesis, students receive guidance and support from a faculty committee. Students who choose the exam option must complete both a written and oral exam that covers two main areas of communication.
Wichita State University’s Elliot School of Communication offers a Master of Arts in Communication that prepares students for careers across a wide variety of communication-related fields. This program features an Academic Track and a Professional Track. Core courses for the Academic Track cover topics such as the fundamentals of communication research, quantitative and empirical research methodologies, qualitative research methods, contemporary communication theories, the history of communication, and rhetorical analysis and criticism. For their final graduation requirement, students of the Academic Track complete a thesis. Students of the Professional Track take a core course on the foundations of communication research before choosing one more research course in quantitative methods, qualitative methods, or historical communication methodologies. This track also requires an applied learning course such as a practicum, internship, or communication lab. In addition to their core requirements, students of both tracks can choose electives from the Elliot School’s offerings, and also have the option to take courses outside of the department with the approval of their advisor.
Online Master’s in Communication Programs in Kansas
At present, two schools in Kansas offer online master’s in communication programs. Kansas State University offers a 100% online version of its Master of Science in Mass Communication. This program features core courses in communication theory, research methods in mass communication, digital media audiences and analytics, strategic communication management, and applied research. Electives cover areas such as environmental communication, mass communication ethics, contemporary media issues, risk and reputation, strategic health communication, and communication leadership. For their culminating experience, students complete a mass communication practicum, and write a report about their practicum experience that they defend orally before faculty.
In addition, Washburn University’s Communication Studies Department offers an online Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership that prepares students for leadership roles in strategic and collaborative communication. This program is comprised of ten courses that students take in sequence, and which cover topics in systems and self leadership, resource stewardship, organizational improvement and innovation, public policy and global leadership, conflict management and negotiation, team and organizational communication, and persuasion. For their culminating experience, students complete a capstone project through which they apply what they learned in their courses to a concrete deliverable that helps prepare them for their career advancement post-graduation.
There are several out-of-state schools with accredited online master’s in communication programs that accept students who are residents of Kansas. These online programs may be good options for students who do not live near a campus-based program (for example students who live in Western and Southwestern Kansas), or who do not want to relocate for graduate school. Prospective students should note that not all online programs accept students from all 50 states. Therefore, students should consult the admissions offices of their schools of interest to get the most up-to-date information regarding whether or not they accept students from Kansas.
Furthermore, students should note that while many online master’s in communication programs are 100% online, others may require students to attend one or more campus visits during their enrollment. Campus visits, also known as campus intensives, are typically multi-day events on the program’s main campus, or at another designated location, during which students interact with program faculty and classmates during in-person lectures and discussions, practical exams or hands-on activities, and career development events. While some programs may only require one visit throughout the program, others may require students to attend one or more of these sessions every year they are in the program. Due to these variations in requirements, students should thoroughly research the online programs they are interested in to determine their campus visit requirements.
Directory of Master’s in Communication Programs in Kansas
| Online Master's in Communication Programs that Accept Students from Kansas | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Drake University | Online Master of Arts in Communication with Tracks in Communication Leadership, Brand Communication, and Public Affairs and Advocacy | Program Website |
| Maryville University | Online Master's in Strategic Communication and Leadership with an Optional Concentration in Emerging & Digital Media | Program Website |
| Georgetown University | Online Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations & Corporate Communications | Program Website |
All Master’s in Communication Programs in Kansas
Campus programs, 
Campus/Hybrid programs, 
Online programs (fully online to 2 campus visits per year), Hybrid-Online programs (3 to ~5 campus visits per year)
