Online Master’s in Health Communication Programs in 2022

Healthcare is a hot-button issue in the country, especially during the Covid pandemic worldwide, and the healthcare industry needs communications experts with a knowledge of medicine, public health, disease, and other health crises to develop solid communications and public relations strategies. A master's in health communication can put you front and center in a field that overlaps both medicine and business/media communications. 2022, quite possibly more than ever needs more precise, culturally sensitive, and diverse health communication.

Earning a master's in health communication can lead to high-level careers such as:

• A senior communications specialist for a hospital or healthcare system
• Medical communications for a PR firm
• Physician relations representative
• Corporate communications manager for pharmaceutical or health insurance companies
• Health communications specialist

With the high demand for distance education options, many master's in health communication programs are offered online in order to accommodate busy working professionals looking to climb the career ladder.

Choosing an Online Master's in Health Communication Program

Great care should be taken to choose the right online graduate-level health communication program for you. You'll want to ensure that the school and program chosen have a favorable reputation, skilled and responsive faculty, and learning options that suit your needs. With a little research, finding the perfect master's in health communication program is easier than you might think.

Accreditation

Proper accreditation truly is the key to finding an academically rigorous and respected health communication program. Regional accreditation organizations such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or the Higher Learning Commission are some good ones to keep an eye out for. Schools and programs with accreditations tend to carry extra weight on a resume, so they are worth looking into.

Program Cost

While each master's in health communication program will have its own set of costs due to location, type of school, and other factors, there are a few expenses that students expect to pay, regardless of school. Tuition, mandatory school fees and course materials like textbooks will all need to be accounted for. For example, the online master's in health communication through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign costs $712 per credit hour, which translates to $2,848 for an 8-week course or $1,424 for a 4-week course. This cost is the same for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. Financial aid, scholarships, and student loans are typically available for qualified students.

Program Length

Around 40 total credits are needed in order to graduate from an online graduate-level health communication program, though the exact number of credits required depends on the school chosen. These programs can be completed in 1 to 2 years, depending on the full or part-time study. The average length of a master's in health communication program is 16-18 months from start to finish.

Admissions Requirements

Generally speaking, students will need to meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for admission to a master's in health communication program:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Current resume with applicable work experience

Classes and Courses

Students enrolled in an online master's of health communication program can expect to take a mix of advanced health and communications courses, which typically culminate in a final thesis or project. The curriculum may consist of courses like the following, which are offered as part of the health communication program at Boston University:

• The American Health Care System for Health Communicators
• The Biology of Disease
• Contemporary Health Care Marketing
• Media Relations for Health Communicators
• Health Communication

Advantages of Online Master’s in Health Communication Programs

Online graduate-level health communication programs are cropping up all over the country, and for good reason; the sheer convenience of these programs simply cannot be beaten. For those who are currently working and looking to expand their roles or advance their careers, online learning is ideal. Same for those with children, families, or other obligations that would render traditional, classroom-based education impossible. Those in rural areas also find distance education a lifesaver, as it eliminates the need to relocate or shoulder the burden of a lengthy commute. Speaking of commuting and transportation expenses, online health communication programs also cut out these costs, saving students a bundle. Many find that the flexibility, ease, and reduced cost of these programs make higher education a real possibility.

Colleges That Offer Accredited Online Master’s in Health Communication Programs in 2022

Select Your State: Select StateIllinoisMassachusettsMississippiMissouriNew JerseyWashington

Illinois

Massachusetts

Mississippi

Missouri

New Jersey

Washington

Organizations for Health Communication Community

• Society for Health Communication
• Institute for Healthcare Communication
• American Medical Writers Association
• National Institutes of Health – Office of Communications & Public Liaison