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.

2026 Best Masters in Communication Programs in North Carolina

North Carolina stands out as a hub for exceptional communication graduate programs, offering students cutting-edge learning opportunities across multiple institutions. Our team at Masters in Communications has carefully analyzed and ranked the state's top communication master's programs based on academic rigor, faculty expertise, and career preparation potential. These programs provide aspiring communication professionals with comprehensive training in digital media, strategic communication, journalism, and interpersonal communication techniques. Students can expect diverse curriculum options that blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills essential for today's dynamic communication landscape. For a comprehensive understanding of our evaluation process, please review our ranking methodology.

#1

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 offers a robust strategic and organizational communication program designed for ambitious professionals. Uniquely structured with hybrid learning formats, students can complete the degree in just 12 months without traditional admission barriers like GRE or GMAT requirements. The curriculum focuses intensively on organizational communication strategies, digital branding, and public relations, enabling graduates to excel in complex communication roles across marketing, healthcare, and media industries. With a competitive $1,000 per credit investment, the program provides flexible online, in-person, and hybrid course options, complemented by opportunities for digital portfolio development and graduate assistantships.

• 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 tailored for communication career advancement. The program distinguishes itself through flexible learning modalities, allowing students to customize their educational experience across online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Emphasizing practical skill acquisition, the curriculum covers strategic communication, marketing communication, and organizational communication techniques. Students benefit from a streamlined 30-credit hour program with no GRE/GMAT requirements, enabling rapid degree completion in approximately 18 months. The program's design prioritizes interactive learning, portfolio construction, and preparing graduates for diverse communication roles across multiple industry sectors.

• 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

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#2

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

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's online Master's in Digital Communication represents an innovative pathway for mid-career communication professionals. Delivered through the renowned Hussman School of Journalism and Media, this 30-credit program uniquely blends digital media expertise with strategic communication techniques. Students develop advanced skills in data-driven storytelling, entrepreneurial thinking, and cross-platform media strategies. The flexible part-time format accommodates working professionals, with no GRE requirement and a focus on practical, industry-relevant learning. Two immersive on-campus experiences complement the predominantly asynchronous curriculum, ensuring students gain comprehensive digital communication competencies. Ideal for those seeking to elevate their professional communication capabilities in an increasingly digital landscape.

• 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

#3

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

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

Master's - M.S. in Communication

Campus Based - Visit Website

NC State University's Master of Science in Communication offers a robust 36-credit program designed for emerging communication professionals seeking comprehensive training. Uniquely structured to accommodate both full and part-time students, the curriculum explores advanced communication strategies across public relations, organizational communication, and digital media domains. Students benefit from distinctive program advantages, including no GRE requirement, diverse research opportunities, and potential graduate assistantships. The program emphasizes practical skill development through internships and academic research, preparing graduates for versatile career paths in communication industries. Faculty mentorship and specialized learning experiences distinguish this program, enabling students to tackle complex communication challenges with strategic insight and professional competence.

• 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

UNC Greensboro's Master of Arts in Communication Studies offers a comprehensive 30-credit curriculum that delves into communication's profound societal impact. Designed for aspiring professionals and scholars, the program uniquely blends theoretical foundations with practical applications across public relations, marketing, and academic domains. Students benefit from robust assistantship opportunities, providing valuable teaching and research experience. The program's distinguished faculty, recognized nationally for scholarly excellence, guide students through intensive coursework and a capstone research project. Graduates are prepared for diverse career paths including academia, internal communications management, marketing consulting, and learning and development roles. With an emphasis on ethical communication strategies, students develop critical analytical skills essential for contemporary communication challenges.

• 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

Nestled in Durham, North Carolina Central University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology offers a rigorous academic journey for communication disorder professionals. The program distinguishes itself by providing two specialized tracks: a traditional pathway for CSD graduates and a leveling track for students with diverse academic backgrounds. Designed to meet American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification standards, the curriculum integrates advanced research methodologies, evidence-based clinical practices, and comprehensive training. Students gain extensive hands-on experience through robust clinical placements, preparing them for state licensure and professional excellence in diagnosing and treating communication disorders across diverse populations.

• 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

*Citation: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023. Available at: 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