Master’s in Communication in North Carolina

Aspiring communications experts have a variety of schooling options in North Carolina. Seven schools offer master's in communication programs across the state, including two fully online programs that allow students to complete their coursework wherever and whenever it fits their schedule. There are also several professional concentrations to choose from, including healthcare communication, public relations, organizational communications, digital communication, and strategy, among many others, that are aimed at preparing students for the next step in their careers or doctoral programs following graduation. In addition to local newspapers, television and radio stations in Charlotte, Durham, and Winston-Salem may offer potential employment opportunities for aspiring journalists. Master's program graduates may also find job opportunities at communications companies in these cities or in one of North Carolina's significant industries of aerospace and defense, automotive, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and business and financial services. Major companies that call North Carolina home include Bank of America, Bayer, LabCorp, BB&T, Hanes Brands, Inc., and Lowe's.

2025 Best Masters in Communication Programs in North Carolina

North Carolina offers some exceptional master's programs in communication that prepare students for dynamic careers in media, public relations, and digital communication. Masters in Communications has carefully evaluated and ranked the top communication graduate programs across the state, considering factors like faculty expertise, curriculum innovation, and student outcomes. These programs provide comprehensive training in strategic communication, media studies, and emerging digital communication technologies. Students can expect rigorous academic experiences that blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills needed in today's rapidly evolving communication landscape. Our comprehensive rankings offer prospective graduate students an insider's view of the best communication programs North Carolina has to offer. For a detailed breakdown of our evaluation process, visit our https://www.mastersincommunications.org/ranking-methodology/.

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC - Public 4-Year - unc.edu

Master's - M.A. in Digital Communication

Online Learning - Visit Website

UNC-Chapel Hill's digital communication master's program stands out as an innovative online degree tailored for experienced professionals seeking advanced media expertise. Through the renowned Hussman School of Journalism and Media, this 30-credit curriculum develops sophisticated digital strategy skills without requiring GRE scores. Students benefit from a flexible part-time format spanning approximately 2.5 years, featuring primarily asynchronous coursework complemented by two immersive on-campus experiences. The program demands a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and requires at least three years of professional experience, ensuring participants bring substantial real-world context to their advanced communication studies.

• 30 credit hours total
• 2.5 years to complete
• Part-time online program
• No GRE required
• Minimum 3 years professional experience
• Undergraduate GPA 3.0+
• Nine sequential courses
• Two on-campus experiences
• Mostly asynchronous learning
• From Hussman School of Journalism

#2

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC - Private 4-year - queens.edu

Master's - Master of Arts in Communication

Concentration: strategic and organization communication - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Queens University of Charlotte's Master of Arts in Communication specializes in strategic and organizational communication, offering a transformative program for professionals seeking advanced skills. The hybrid learning model enables students to complete their degree in just 12 months, featuring innovative coursework in digital branding, public relations, and organizational communication strategies. Uniquely positioned with no GRE/GMAT requirements, the program provides flexible online, in-person, and hybrid options. At $1,000 per credit, students gain comprehensive training applicable to marketing, media, and healthcare sectors. The curriculum emphasizes practical skill development, digital portfolio creation, and competitive graduate assistantships, preparing graduates for dynamic communication roles.

• 30 credit hours total
• No GRE/GMAT required
• Online, in-person, hybrid options
• $1,000 per credit cost
• 10 courses to graduate
• Average completion: 18 months
• No thesis required
• Digital portfolio opportunity
• Competitive graduate assistantships
• Specializations in communication

Master's - Master of Arts in Communication

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Queens University's Master of Arts in Communication delivers a comprehensive professional development pathway designed for communication practitioners. The program's flexible structure accommodates diverse learning preferences through online, in-person, and hybrid formats, enabling degree completion in approximately 18 months. Students engage in targeted training across marketing, public relations, and organizational communication domains, developing versatile skill sets without traditional admission barriers like GRE/GMAT examinations. With a focus on interactive learning and career readiness, the curriculum supports building a robust professional portfolio. The program's affordable $1,000 per credit investment and multiple specialization opportunities make it an attractive option for emerging communication professionals.

• 30 total credit hours
• 10 courses to graduate
• $1,000 per credit hour
• Average 18 months completion
• Online, in-person, hybrid options
• No GRE/GMAT required
• No thesis or capstone
• Build digital portfolio
• Graduate assistantships available
• Multiple career path specializations

Show 1 More Programs ˅

#3

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC - Public 4-Year - ncsu.edu

Master's - M.S. in Communication

Campus Based - Visit Website

North Carolina State University's M.S. in Communication offers a rigorous 36-credit program designed for aspiring communication professionals seeking comprehensive training. Distinguished by its flexible learning pathways and no GRE requirement, the program provides robust preparation across public relations, organizational communication, and digital media domains. Students benefit from hands-on internships, research opportunities, and potential graduate assistantships that enhance practical skills and academic understanding. The curriculum strategically blends theoretical foundations with career-focused development, welcoming both recent graduates and working professionals to explore advanced communication challenges and innovative strategies.

• 36 credit hours total
• Full and part-time options
• No GRE required
• Diverse career preparation
• Internship and research opportunities
• Graduate assistantships available
• Tuition and health insurance coverage
• Specialized communication concentrations
• Teaching experience included

#4

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC - Public 4-Year - uncg.edu

Master's - Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Master of Arts in Communication Studies is a comprehensive 30-credit hour program that prepares students for diverse professional pathways in communication. Designed to explore communication's transformative role, the program emphasizes ethical communication strategies and provides robust research opportunities. Students can benefit from assistantships offering tuition waivers and health insurance contributions. The curriculum combines rigorous core courses, elective options, and a capstone research project. Prospective students must submit transcripts, recommendation letters, a writing sample, and complete a personal interview. The program supports career trajectories in academia, public relations, marketing, and applied communication sectors, with faculty mentorship from award-winning scholars.

• 30 credit hours required
• Capstone research project
• Faculty with national awards
• Assistantships available
• Tuition waiver for assistantships
• Health insurance contribution
• BA to MA accelerated program
• In-person class type
• Accredited by NCA
• Carolinas Communication Association member

#5

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC - Public 4-Year - nccu.edu

Master's - Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S.

Campus Based - Visit Website

North Carolina Central University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology delivers innovative training for communication disorders professionals. This rigorous graduate program uniquely offers two distinct academic tracks: a traditional pathway for CSD degree holders and a specialized leveling track for students from diverse academic backgrounds. Focused on evidence-based clinical practices, the curriculum prepares students for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification and state licensure. Students gain comprehensive skills in preventative, diagnostic, and rehabilitative services, with extensive clinical experiences that emphasize research-driven interventions and bilingual client service capabilities.

• Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology
• Two program tracks available
• ASHA certification preparation
• On-campus graduate program
• Evidence-based clinical training
• Comprehensive clinical experiences
• State licensure preparation
• Research-focused curriculum
• Full-time program
• Bilingual client services

*NCES, IPEDS 2023 survey, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Review the listings below for more information about the master's in communication programs available in North Carolina:

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

East Carolina University in Greenville offers a Master of Arts in Communication program with an emphasis on health communication.

What to Know: The Master of Arts in Communication with an emphasis on health communication program is a 30-credit hour program that offers coursework in the theory and application of communication strategies in a healthcare setting. The program offers thesis and non-thesis options.

What Does It Cost?: Graduate level tuition and fees for the fall 2018 semester are $3,742 for full-time students who are North Carolina residents and $10,317 for non-residents who are full-time students.

Anything Else?: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with June 1 the deadline for consideration for the fall and October 15 for consideration for the spring semester.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

North Carolina State University in Raleigh offers a Master of Science in Communication program in an on-campus format.

What to Know: The Master of Science in Communication program is a 36-credit hour program that allows students to specialize in various areas of communication, including public relations, organizational communication, cultural studies, mediated communication, interpersonal communication, and digital media.

What Does It Cost?: Graduate level tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year is $5,747 semester for North Carolina residents taking 9 or more credits, and $13,991 for non-residents who are taking 9 or more credits.

Anything Else?: The application deadline for admission to the program is February 1.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - GREENSBORO

The University of North Carolina in Greensboro offers a Master of Arts in Communication program in an on-campus format.

What to Know: The Master of Arts in Communication program is a 30-credit hour program that prepares students for Ph.D. programs or professional careers in various areas of communication. The program culminates in a capstone, or independent research project, that reflects their personal interests and areas of expertise.

What Does It Cost?: Graduate level tuition and fees for the fall 2018 semester is $3,739 for North Carolina residents taking 9 credits per semester and $10,598 for non-residents taking 9 credits per semester.

Anything Else?: To be considered for fall admission and an assistantship, applications must be submitted by February 15. The final application deadline for the fall is April 1. For spring admission, applications must be submitted by October 1.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHAPEL HILL

The University of North Carolina in Greensboro offers a Master of Arts in Media & Communication program in an on-campus format, as well as a fully online Master of Arts in Digital Communication program.

What to Know: The on-campus Master of Arts in Media & Communication program is a two-year program in which students can specialize their study in journalism, strategic communication, visual communication, theory and research and interdisciplinary health communication.

What Does It Cost?: Graduate level tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year are $8,273 per semester for North Carolina residents and $16,299 per semester for non-residents.

Anything Else?: The program enrolls new students in the fall semester only. The application opens in early August and the application deadline is December 11.

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem offers a Master's in Communication program in a traditional on-campus format.

What to Know: The Master's in Communication program is a four-semester generalist program that includes two research methods courses and the rest of the coursework are communications elective seminars. The program culminates in a thesis or comprehensive exam.

What Does It Cost?: Full-time graduate-level tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year is $38,650 for both North Carolina residents and non-residents.

Anything Else?: The application deadline is January 15 for admission in the fall semester. Later applications are welcomed until the class is finalized.

Charlotte Master’s in Communication Programs

QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE

Queens University of Charlotte offers a Master of Arts in Communication program in an online or on-campus format.

What to Know: The Master of Arts in Communication program is a 36-credit hour program that allows students to customize their degrees by taking 18 credit hours of electives that suit their interests. The program also offers an optional concentration in Integrated Digital Strategy.

What Does It Cost?: Graduate level tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year is $825 per credit hour for the Master of Arts in Communication program.

Anything Else?: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHARLOTTE

The University of North Carolina in Charlotte offers a Master of Arts in Communication program in an on-campus format.

What to Know: The Master of Arts in Communication program is a generalist program that allows students to tailor their coursework to their particular interests. The 30-credit hour program culminates in either a thesis, directed project or a comprehensive examination.

What Does It Cost?: Graduate level tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year is $3,784 per semester for North Carolina residents taking 9 or more credits and $10,501 per semester for non-residents taking 9 or more credits.

Anything Else?: The program admits new students for the fall semester only. The priority application deadline is January 15 for early decisions and to be considered for an assistantship. The final application deadline is March 1.

Online Master’s in Communication Programs in North Carolina

QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE

Queens University of Charlotte offers a Master of Arts in Communication program with an optional concentration in Integrated Digital Strategy as a fully online program. To learn more about the online Master of Arts in Communication program at Queens University of Charlotte, click here.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHAPEL HILL

The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill offers an online Master of Arts in Digital Communication program that is a two-year, part-time program in which students complete nine courses over two years and spend the final semester working one-on-one with a faculty member on a comprehensive project. For more information about the University of North Carolina's online program, click here.

North Carolina Colleges That Offer Accredited Master's in Communications Programs