Communication, MA

Whether you are a recent graduate, mid-career, or an experienced professional, the fully online Master of Arts in Communication at UCCS will help you to level-up your career by honing essential professional communication skills.

Our program is all about your personal growth and professional development. You’ll gain sought-after professional skills in written, oral, and digital/multimedia communication enabling you to reach diverse audiences to solve complex communication problems.

Our students tell us that they are often able to apply the things they learn in class the very next day at work. And graduates of our program tell us that having a master’s degree in communication has opened doors and opportunities in their career that wouldn’t otherwise be available. Our faculty are proud of our innovative, flexible, and affordable program and we would love to have you join us!

The focus of study for the Master of Arts in Communication Program at UCCS is to prepare you for careers in communication.

We offer a range of classes that cater to students’ interests and career goals, as well as workplace needs. You can choose classes in professional communication, emphasizing leadership, organizational, or strategic communication. Or you can select a focus in applied media studies. We help you customize the program to fit your aspirations and strengthen your professional writing, speaking, and digital/multimedia communication skills.

Highly qualified communication faculty prepare you to lead organizational initiatives that are attuned to the changing nature of communication, technology, and trends.

Our mission is to make the application process accessible, inclusive, and relevant to each applicant’s professional situation and goals. No taking the GRE or worrying about finding a decades-old undergraduate paper. We accept academic and professional writing samples and references.

To be considered for Standard Admission to the M.A. Program in Communication, a student must first meet the general requirements outlined by the Graduate School at UCCS.

Admissions Details:

• Ensure the form is complete and the information is accurate
• Complete the Tuition Classification Form for Colorado residency, if the student claims in-state tuition eligibility
• Official transcripts for each college or university previously attended (an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher is expected)
• A sample of Scholarly or Professional Writing
• A statement of purpose that speaks to your academic or professional skills. Use the following prompts as a guide:
  • What is motivating you to pursue a graduate degree at this time in your life?
  • In what ways do you think this degree would help you accomplish your personal, academic, and professional goals?
  • Regarding this program specifically, what aspects do you think will help accomplish your goals? Specify courses you're interested in taking or particular faculty members' work (please mention faculty member(s) you've contacted or had a conversation with) and explain how they are relevant to your goals.
  • Describe relevant experiences and accomplishments in your academic, professional, and personal life that demonstrate your readiness for graduate-level work, and in particular, explain how you are prepared to succeed in online learning.
  • What challenges do you anticipate during your graduate career, and how do you plan to overcome them?

Application Deadlines:

We have a wide range of classes, and depending on your interests and career goals, you can choose classes in professional communication, emphasizing leadership, organizational, or strategic communication. Or you can select a focus in applied media studies. We help you customize the program to fit your interests and aspirations.  

All required classes are delivered fully online in an 8-week format.

Plan I: CAPSTONE (minimum of 33 hours credit)

• Four Core Required Courses (12 Credits)
• Six Graduate Elective Courses in Communication (18 Credits)
• One Graduate Level Course from Outside the Department (3 Credits)

Core Sequenced Requirements (Offered once each year as indicated)

• COMM 5010: Communication Theories in Contemporary Contexts (Fall)
• COMM 6030: Research as Problem Solving (Fall)
• COMM 6040: Drawing Insights from Data (Spring)
• COMM 6050: Communication Graduate Capstone Experience (Spring)
• NOTE: COMM 6050 is not required with Thesis Option

Plan II: THESIS (minimum of 33 hours credit) 

• Three Core Required Courses (9 Credits)
• Five Graduate Elective Courses in Communication (15 Credits)
• One Graduate Level Course from Outside the Department (3 Credits)
• Six Hours of Thesis Credit (6 Credits)

General Electives

• COMM 5050: Managing Social Media
• COMM 5100: Advanced Public Speaking
• COMM 5150: Communication, Teaching, and Learning
• COMM 5190: Advanced Virtual Presentations
• COMM 5230: Crisis Communication
• COMM 5330: Gender and Leadership
• COMM 5350: Integrated Marketing Communication
• COMM 5600: Virtual Teams
• COMM 5690: Problems in Radio-TV and Film
• COMM 5820: Multicultural Diversity and Workplace Communication
• COMM 5950: Seminar in Leadership and Organizational Change
• COMM 6020: Communication Research Practicum
• COMM 6090: Emerging Communication Technologies
• COMM 6100: Communication Competence: For all Situations and Contexts
• COMM 6140: Media Effects
• COMM 6160: Communication, Training and Consulting
• COMM 6180: Virtual Training
• COMM 6250: Problems in Communication
• COMM 6350: Critical Analysis of Popular Culture
• COMM 6690 Internship in Communication (Graduate Level)
• COMM 6740: Entertainment Theory and Research
• COMM 9500: Independent Study in Communication - Graduate Level (Instructor approval required)

Recommended Two Year Schedule of Courses - Capstone Option

Fall

• COMM 5010: Communication Theories in Contemporary Contexts
• COMM 6030: Research as Problem Solving

Spring

• COMM 6040: Drawing Insights from Data
• Elective

Summer

• Out of Department Course
• Elective

Fall

• Pre-Term Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Spring

• COMM 6050: Communication Graduate Capstone Experience
• Elective

For further information, contact Dr. Katie Sullivan (ksulliv8@uccs.edu)