There are currently three schools in Oklahoma that offer a total of six master’s in communication programs, five of which are campus-based and one that is online. Among these six programs, students can find specializations in areas such as mass communication, organizational communication, intercultural communication, and strategic communication. All of the schools listed on this page have received regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and are non-profit institutions.

Campus-Based Master’s in Communication Programs in Oklahoma

Northeastern State University in Tahlequah offers a Master of Arts in Communication program with specialization options in Communication Studies and Mass Communication through its Department of Communication Studies. This program features an interdisciplinary curriculum with core courses in communication research methods and study design, and an introduction to graduate communication studies. From there, students take courses specific to their specialization, choosing from courses in areas like instructional communication strategies, non-profit communication, interpersonal communication, persuasion and influence, rhetorical criticism, and small group dynamics. Depending on whether they want to pursue professional communication or communication research at the university level, students choose between a master’s thesis and additional coursework to complete their degree requirements.

Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership offers a Master of Science in Agricultural Communications at its Stillwater Campus that prepares students for advanced roles in media management for agricultural organizations. Specializations available in this program include Marketing, Mass Media, and Public Relations. Core courses in the program cover research methods in agricultural communication, social sciences research in the agricultural sciences, statistical methods for communicators, historical and philosophical foundations of agricultural communications, agricultural communications theory and practice, and ethics in agriculture. Specialization courses cover concepts such as professional development in agricultural communications, public relations campaigns in agriculture, online and digital media for agricultural communications, features writing and editing for agriculture, crisis communications management in agriculture, and agricultural publishing. For their culminating experience, students complete either a master’s thesis or a formal report.

Oklahoma State University’s School of Media and Strategic Communications offers a Master of Science in Mass Communications at its Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with specialty tracks in Brand Communication, Global Communication, and Sports Communication. Core courses in the program are offered on the Stillwater campus, while concentration courses are offered online or through a hybrid of online and on-campus instruction on either the Stillwater or Tulsa campus. This program prepares students for leadership roles in communication in multiple organizational settings, including corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and journalism outlets. Core courses in this program include mass communication research methods, and mass communication theory and ethics. Specialization courses and electives cover subjects such as the processes and effects of mass communication, social responsibility in mass communication, campaign research analysis and interpretation, public relations communication methods, persuasive writing for strategic communication, copywriting and creative strategy, electronic media advertising, and strategic communication campaigns. Students can apply what they have learned to a master’s thesis or a creative project, practicum, or study abroad experience. They also have the opportunity to gain practical experience through The O’Colly Media Group at OSU.

The University of Oklahoma’s Department of Communication in Norman offers a Master of Arts in Communication with specializations in Intercultural/International Communication, Interpersonal Communication/Social Influence, Political/Mass Communication, Health Communication, Organizational Communication, and Communication Technology/Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC). Students take core classes in quantitative and qualitative research methods and introduction to graduate studies in communication, followed by classes specific to their concentration, such as organizational communication and research, communication for social change, health communication, mass communication perspectives, conflict management, communication and technology, social influence, risk assessment and communication, political advertising, and international communication. Students in this program have the option of completing a comprehensive examination and additional coursework, or a master’s thesis and an oral examination for their final graduation requirement.

The University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, also located in Norman, offers a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication with areas of emphasis in Creative Media Production, Media Management, Journalism, and Strategic Communication: PR and Advertising. Regardless of concentration, students take core classes in conceptual issues in graduate study of journalism and mass communication, introduction to research methods in mass communication, mass communication theory, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. After they complete the core coursework, students can take electives in areas such as contemporary problems in advertising, advanced multimedia journalism, women in media, digital media strategies, documentary producing, and multimedia content management. Students of this program have three choices for their final graduation requirement: a master’s thesis that explores a scholarly inquiry in communication, a professional project that is relevant to a real-world communication issue, or a comprehensive exam. Students who choose the professional project or comprehensive exam must also take one or more professional practice courses that cover skills and concepts that are applicable to communication careers in industry.

Online Master’s in Communication Programs for Residents of Oklahoma

At present, there is only one school in the state of Oklahoma that offers an online master’s in communication program.

The University of Oklahoma offers an online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy. This program blends asynchronous instruction with live online classes, and covers essential topics in marketing and media analytics, digital audience behavior, social media marketing, crisis communication, communication leadership and management, digital strategic communication, cross-cultural communication, strategic communication ethics, and brand strategy. In addition, this program’s curriculum includes content that prepares students to sit for several certification exams, including those for Google Analytics, HubSpot Academy, Facebook, and Hootsuite Academy. Courses span eight to 16 weeks in duration, and students can complete the program in as few as 20 months of study.

In addition to The University of Oklahoma’s online program, students also have the option of applying to out-of-state schools that offer online degree programs. Residents of cities that are not within commuting distance to a campus-based master’s in communication program, such as Broken Arrow, Lawton, or Edmond, may find an online program to be the only option that allows them to complete their degree without relocating. Online programs may also be a good option for students who cannot commute to attend classes at an on-campus program. For more information about online master’s in communication programs, including instruction methods, specialization options, state authorizations, and any on-campus intensive requirements, please reference our Online Masters in Communication Programs page.

Directory of Master’s in Communication Programs in Oklahoma

All Master’s in Communication Programs in Oklahoma

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)

Northeastern State University

(Tahlequah)

Department of Communication Studies

• Master of Arts in Communication (with Specializations in Communication Studies, and Media Studies)

Oklahoma State University

(Stillwater)

Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership

• Master of Science in Agricultural Communications (Stillwater Campus) (with Specializations in Marketing, Mass Media, and Public Relations)

School of Media & Strategic Communications

• Master of Science in Mass Communications (with Specialty Tracks in Brand Communication, Global Communication, and Sports Communication)

The University of Oklahoma

(Norman)

Department of Communication

• Master of Arts in Communication (with Specializations in Intercultural/International Communication, Interpersonal Communication/Social Influence, Political/Mass Communication, Health Communication, Organizational Communication, and Communication Technology/CMC)

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication

• Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (with Areas of Study in Creative Media Production, Media Management, Journalism, and Strategic Communication: PR and Advertising)

• Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy