Best Master's in Communication Programs in Oklahoma (2027)

Oklahoma's communication graduate market spans seven institutions and price points that range from roughly $5,800 per year in tuition at Northeastern State to about $27,700 at the University of Tulsa, with most public programs landing under $10,000 annually for in-state students. Specializations cut an equally wide path: strategic public relations, mass communications at Oklahoma State, communication sciences and disorders, and speech-language pathology tracks at OU, OSU, UCO, and Tulsa.

Format flexibility matters here. Fully online options exist (NSU's M.A. in Public Relations runs 30 credits across five semesters), alongside hybrid accelerated tracks and traditional campus residencies. The tension for most applicants is not whether Oklahoma offers a credible program, but matching credential goals (ASHA certification versus industry practice) to the right format and cost structure. If you are also weighing masters in public relations online, several of Oklahoma's programs compare favorably on both price and flexibility.

Best Master's in Communication Programs in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's graduate communication landscape runs from research-driven M.A. study at the University of Oklahoma to affordable online professional degrees and ASHA-accredited speech-language pathology programs. The seven schools below each approach the field differently, so the strongest fit depends on whether you want a research career, a professional credential, or a flexible online path you can finish while you keep working.

Oklahoma Communication Master's Tuition and Net Price Comparison

If you are searching for an affordable communication masters in Oklahoma, the state delivers real value. Graduate tuition at Oklahoma's public universities starts below $6,000 per year for in-state students, while even the private options remain well below many national peers. The spread between the least and most expensive programs is roughly $22,000 in sticker price, but net price figures narrow that gap considerably. Keep in mind that the net price shown here is an institution-wide average drawing on federal data; your actual cost will depend on program level, financial aid, and enrollment status.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Online vs. On-Campus Communication Programs in Oklahoma

If you are searching for an online master's in communication in Oklahoma, the good news is that several state institutions offer fully online or hybrid options alongside traditional on-campus programs. The format you choose affects everything from daily scheduling flexibility to how you build professional relationships. Below is a side-by-side look at the three delivery modes available across Oklahoma's communication master's programs, drawing on confirmed program details from OU, UCO, OSU, NSU, and Oklahoma Baptist University.

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Specializations and Concentrations Available in Oklahoma

Which communication master's track actually matches the career you want? That question matters more than almost any other when choosing a graduate program, because Oklahoma's offerings span a surprisingly wide range of disciplines.

Communication Studies vs. Communication Sciences and Disorders

Before mapping specializations to careers, it helps to clear up one of the most common points of confusion among prospective students. Several Oklahoma programs with "communication" in the name are actually in the field of communication sciences and disorders, which prepares graduates for clinical careers as speech-language pathologists. The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, the University of Tulsa, UCO, and Oklahoma Baptist University all offer graduate programs in this area. These programs are healthcare-focused, clinically intensive, and lead to state licensure in speech-language pathology.

If you want to work in public relations, corporate communications, media, or journalism, you are looking for a different category entirely: communication studies, strategic communication, mass communication, or public relations programs. The clinical and non-clinical fields share a name but almost nothing else, so confirming which department a program sits in before you apply saves real headaches.

Strategic Communication

UCO's M.A. in Strategic Communications, offered fully online through the College of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication, is a standout option that many competitor guides overlook.¹ The program sits squarely in mass communication, not the clinical side, and is designed for working professionals. It runs approximately 24 months and costs around $16,500 in total, making it one of the more accessible graduate options in the state.² Fall enrollment carries priority deadlines of May 15 and July 15, with a space-available option through August 1.¹ This track suits professionals aiming for roles in corporate communications, public affairs, brand management, or organizational leadership.

Northeastern State University takes a similar career-focused angle with its online M.A. in Public Relations, a 30-credit program covering crisis management, social media strategy, media ethics, and intercultural communication. It admits students each fall, spring, and summer, which adds scheduling flexibility.

Mass Communication and Public Relations

For students drawn to journalism, broadcasting, or digital media, programs rooted in mass communication provide the broadest foundation. The strategic communication and public relations tracks overlap with mass comm at several schools, so reading individual program descriptions carefully reveals where the emphasis lands. PR-focused coursework typically prepares graduates for agency life and corporate communications departments, while a mass comm emphasis suits media production, journalism, and content strategy roles. If you are also weighing programs in neighboring states, our guide to master's in communication in Kansas covers several options worth comparing.

Matching Specialization to Career Path

A quick framework for deciding:

• Strategic communication: Corporate PR, internal communications, executive communications, brand management
• Public relations: Agency work, nonprofit advocacy, government affairs, campaign management
• Mass communication: Journalism, broadcasting, digital media, content production
• Health communication: Public health agencies, hospital communications, health-focused nonprofits
• Communication sciences and disorders: Speech-language pathology clinical practice (requires licensure)

The right specialization does not just shape your coursework; it determines which employers recruit from your program and which professional credentials you can pursue after graduating.

What Oklahoma Communication Graduates Earn: Salary and Career Outcomes

Salary data for communication professionals in Oklahoma can vary significantly by role, metro area, and experience level. The BLS reports a national median annual wage of $66,750 for public relations specialists as of May 2023, but Oklahoma-specific and metro-level figures (for Oklahoma City and Tulsa) should be confirmed directly through the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tool, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reports, or professional organizations like the PRSA Oklahoma chapter. University career services offices at schools such as the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tulsa may also publish program-level graduate outcomes.

Funding, Assistantships, and Scholarships for Communication Graduate Students

Even as competition for graduate funding intensifies nationwide, Oklahoma's public universities have maintained robust assistantship programs that combine stipends with substantial tuition benefits. In Oklahoma, three primary avenues can help cover your expenses: graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, and department scholarships. By stacking these with federal aid or employer support, many students graduate with minimal debt.

Graduate Assistantships: Earn While You Learn

• University of Oklahoma: Qualifying graduate assistants work 10 to 20 hours per week, receive a monthly stipend, and are eligible for a tuition waiver and health insurance.¹
• Oklahoma State University: The on-campus Communication Sciences and Disorders M.S. offers teaching assistantships with similar benefits; contact the program coordinator for current stipend ranges.
• Northeastern State University: Assistantships are available on a competitive basis, though positions may be fewer in the online M.A. in Public Relations due to program scale.

Tuition Waivers and Health Insurance

A tuition waiver can cut your net cost dramatically. At OU, qualifying assistants receive a tuition waiver and health insurance, which together can cover a significant share of in-state attendance costs.² OSU and NSU also offer waivers to many graduate assistants, but coverage details vary by department. Always confirm the waiver's scope: some cover full tuition, others a set number of credit hours. Health insurance is a valuable add-on, especially if you lack employer coverage.

Department Scholarships and Other Resources

• Scholarships: Departments often maintain funds for graduate students. OSU's program lists scholarships among its funding options; awards may be merit-based or tied to research areas like health communication.
• FAFSA: Filing the FAFSA unlocks federal loans and work-study eligibility. Even with assistantships, it provides a safety net.
• Employer reimbursement: If you're pursuing an online degree like NSU's M.A. in Public Relations, check whether your employer covers tuition. Many organizations support continuing education in communication fields.

What to Expect by Program Size

Assistantship availability often reflects program scale. Larger programs, such as OU's speech-language pathology master's, typically have more funded positions. While exact cohort sizes aren't published, larger Oklahoma research universities like OU and OSU generally support multiple assistantship lines, whereas smaller or fully online programs may offer fewer but still provide part-time research or teaching roles that build your professional experience.³ Ask about renewal policies: some assistantships are guaranteed for two years, others require reapplication. Reach out to the graduate coordinator early, as funding decisions are usually made months before classes begin.

Admissions Requirements and Application Deadlines

Applying to a communication master's program in Oklahoma is more straightforward than many applicants expect, but each program sets its own expectations. Here is what the typical application package looks like, plus how to think about timing.

GPA and Test Score Expectations

Most Oklahoma communication graduate programs ask for a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, which aligns with the University of Oklahoma Communication M.A. standard for 2025-2026.¹ If your undergraduate GPA falls below that threshold, do not assume the door is closed. Programs frequently admit applicants on a conditional or probationary basis when the rest of the application (work experience, strong references, a compelling statement) demonstrates readiness for graduate work.

GRE requirements have loosened considerably across communication master's programs nationally, and Oklahoma is no exception. Many programs now treat the GRE as optional or have waived it entirely. If you are specifically seeking programs that have dropped the exam, our guide to online masters in communication no GRE covers options worth exploring. Confirm the current status directly with the department you are applying to, since policies can shift year to year.

One important clarification: you may see published undergraduate admission rates for OU, OSU, or other Oklahoma institutions and assume those numbers reflect graduate selectivity. They do not. Those figures describe the freshman class. Graduate programs in communication run their own admissions process, evaluate applicants on academic and professional fit, and typically admit smaller cohorts based on faculty capacity rather than a campus-wide rate.

What to Include in Your Application

Expect to assemble most of the following:

• Statement of purpose: A focused essay (usually 500 to 1,000 words) explaining your research interests, career goals, and why this specific program fits.
• Letters of recommendation: Two or three letters, ideally from faculty who can speak to your academic writing and analytical skills. Working professionals can substitute one supervisor letter.
• Writing sample: Some programs request a research paper or professional writing sample, particularly for thesis-track applicants.
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from every institution you attended.
• Resume or CV: Highlighting communication-related work, internships, or volunteer experience.

Deadlines to Watch

For fall admission, priority deadlines at Oklahoma programs typically fall between January and April, with final deadlines stretching into June or July for programs with rolling review. Spring admission, where offered, generally closes in October or November of the prior year. If you want to be considered for assistantships or departmental funding, target the earliest priority deadline, since funding decisions are usually finalized well before the final application date.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Communication Master's in Oklahoma?

Most communication master's programs in Oklahoma require between 30 and 33 credit hours, but how fast you finish depends on the format you choose. Full-time on-campus students typically wrap up in about two years, while part-time students may need three to four years. OU's online M.A. in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy offers one of the fastest paths at roughly 20 months, making it a strong pick for working professionals who want to accelerate their timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions About Communication Master's Programs in Oklahoma

Choosing a graduate program raises plenty of practical questions, from cost and format to career payoff. Below are straightforward answers to the questions Oklahoma applicants ask most often.