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
Looking for the best Masters in Communication programs in North Carolina? mastersincommunications.org has you covered. We've ranked the top programs to help you find the right fit for your career goals. Our list highlights schools offering strong academics, hands-on learning, and great career support. Whether you're aiming for a career in media, public relations, or corporate communication, our rankings can guide your decision. Check out our ranking methodology to see how we picked the best programs.
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 online Master's in Digital Communication is a transformative 30-credit program designed for mid-career professionals seeking to advance their communication strategies. Delivered through the prestigious Hussman School of Journalism and Media, this part-time degree equips students with cutting-edge digital media skills, data-driven insights, and innovative communication techniques. Ideal for working professionals, the program allows flexible learning while developing entrepreneurial thinking, data analysis, and compelling storytelling capabilities across multiple media platforms.
- 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
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 empowers professionals to elevate their career trajectories across diverse communication sectors. The innovative program provides flexible learning options, including online, in-person, and hybrid courses, with a streamlined path to completion in as little as 12 months. Students gain strategic skills in organizational communication, public relations, and digital branding, without traditional admission barriers like GRE/GMAT requirements. With a competitive $1,000 per credit investment and comprehensive specialization opportunities, graduates are prepared for dynamic roles in marketing, media, healthcare, and beyond.
- 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 offers professionals a dynamic pathway to elevate their communication career. This flexible program provides targeted training in strategic communication, enabling students to develop expertise across marketing, public relations, and organizational communication. With no GRE/GMAT required and options for online, in-person, and hybrid learning, students can complete the degree in as little as 12 months. The program emphasizes practical skills, interactive learning, and building a career-ready portfolio that prepares graduates for diverse roles in multiple industries.
- 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
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 Master of Science in Communication prepares students for dynamic careers across diverse sectors. The comprehensive 36-credit-hour program offers flexible learning paths for full- and part-time students, focusing on complex communication challenges. Students explore specialized areas like public relations, organizational communication, and digital media, gaining practical skills through internships and research opportunities. The program welcomes professionals and recent graduates, providing theoretical foundations and career development support with opportunities for teaching and research assistantships.
- 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
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 offers a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, designed to explore the transformative power of communication in shaping human identities, relationships, and communities. This 30-credit hour program combines core courses, electives, and a capstone project, preparing students for careers in academia, public relations, marketing, and more. With opportunities for assistantships, students gain hands-on experience in teaching and research. The program emphasizes ethical communication and strategic effectiveness, supported by a faculty of award-winning scholars. Admission requires transcripts, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, a personal statement, and an interview.
- 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
- International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry
- Southern States Communication Association
- National Association of Communication Centers
- Prepares for doctoral programs
- Career in public relations
- Career in academia
- Marketing consultant opportunities
- Learning and development analyst
- Internal communications manager
- Marketing account executive
- Community college teaching
- Scholarly communication careers
- Applied communication careers
- Ethical communication focus
- Strategic communication emphasis
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 provides comprehensive training for aspiring speech-language professionals. The graduate program prepares students to deliver preventative, diagnostic, and rehabilitative services for individuals with communication disorders. Students can choose between a traditional track for CSD bachelor's degree holders or a leveling track for those from different academic backgrounds. The program emphasizes research, evidence-based practice, and clinical training, positioning graduates for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and state licensure.
- 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
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
| School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
East Carolina University Programs
| 102 Joyner East Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 328-4227 |
North Carolina State University Programs | 201 Winston Hall, Campus Box 8104 Raleigh, NC 27695 (919) 515-9736 |
Queens University of Charlotte Programs | 1900 Selwyn Charlotte, NC 28274 (866) 313-2356 |
University of North Carolina - Charlotte Programs | 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223 (704) 687-0766 |
University of North Carolina - Greensboro Programs | 107 James S Ferguson Building Greensboro, NC 27402 (336) 334-3844 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Programs | Carroll Hall, CB 3365 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (919) 962-1204 |
Wake Forest University Programs | 1834 Wake Forest Road - 117 Carswell Hall Winston-Salem , NC 27109 (336) 758-5405 |