Graduate Programs

The Master of Arts in Communication (MCOM) is a rigorous, fully online graduate experience in communication. Designed to deliver an understanding of communication theories, strategic marketing, leadership, and media, this streamlined 30-hour MCOM program gives students conceptual knowledge and marketable skills. MCOM students hone their ability to research and analyze communication problems related to message production, media dissemination, audience interpretation, and data analysis. In sum, the MCOM program provides students the cognitive, research, and professional skills required of leaders in a fast-paced, information-rich era. 

Renowned Faculty

The MCOM program is helmed by CofC’s nationally and internationally renowned faculty. Graduate courses are taught by faculty whose work has been published in the most esteemed presses and journals in the field of communication, by professors who have won prestigious awards in the discipline, by thought leaders who regularly give speeches and grant interviews about their work, by practitioners who have advised corporations and non-profits, and, ultimately, by teachers who care about the student experience. We strive for a collaborative experience between students and faculty. As such, the program offers a number of successful learning initiatives, including creative independent-study projects, community-based research teams, communication pedagogy experiences, and professional immersion internships. 

Full and part time students are welcome. Full time students can complete the program in 12 months. Part time students can complete the program in 24 months. 

Key Information

Check out important information on the MCOM program below.. Reach out to Dr. Michael Lee (Program Director) with any questions.
  • Transfer Credits

    A maximum of 12 graduate credit hours may be transferred into the program from regionally accredited institutions. All transfer credit requests are evaluated by the Department of Communication Graduate Committee.

  • Tuition and Fees

    The MCOM program contains 30 credit hours at a cost of $459 per credit hour, which totals $13,770 total (plus fees). For more information on cost, visit the Treasurer's Office site.

Admissions Requirements

The requirements for regular admission into the Master of Arts in Communication program are given below. The program director has the ability to modify the application requirements if the student demonstrates exceptional academic performance and/or possesses a significant amount of professional experience.
  • Degree and GPA Requirements

    Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.

    Undergraduate or graduate coursework must be in Communication or a related discipline.

    Minimum 3.0 GPA, on a 4.0 scale.

  • Writing sample

    The writing sample should be non-fiction, argumentative, research-based, well written, and fairly lengthy (8-10 pages at a minimum). The writing sample should demonstrate that the applicant can enter an ongoing academic conversation, make an argumentative contribution to that conversation, work with extensive citations, and sustain an argument as length over the course of a thorough essay. The writing sample should also cover a topic or employ a method that is familiar to the field of Communication.

  • Statement of purpose/goals

    This statement should be 750-1000 words and answer two questions as clearly and thoroughly as is possible:  

    • Why are you a good fit for the MCOM program at CofC?
    • Why is the MCOM program at CofC a good fit for you? 
    Students will be evaluated on their ability to make a clear case in response to these questions as well as the extent to which they have researched the program, our courses, and our faculty as they craft their answers.
  • Recommendation letters

    Our program receives applications from students who have recently finished college, and we receive applications from students who have been working professionals for quite some time and no longer maintain contact with professors. As such, determining ideal letter writers for all potential applicants is quite tough. On the whole, however, our position will be that letter writers should be able to evaluate the applicant’s strengths as both a researcher and a writer. The ideal letter writer has supervised the applicant in a professional or scholarly capacity during or after the applicant’s collegiate years.