How long does it take to earn a Master of Arts in Communication with an Emphasis in Education?

The majority of courses for this master’s program are eight weeks in length. The program requires a total of 34 credits for completion.

Online MA in Communication: Education Emphasis

Overview

Study Relationships Between Communication and Education

Grand Canyon University's Master of Arts (MA) in Communication with an Emphasis in Education provides those who have a passion for communications with the opportunity to pursue a career in teaching. Taking courses that focus on communication in education can help prepare you to teach at the post-secondary level for either 2-year or 4-year institutions. In addition, you may have the capability of teaching both in person and online.

Critical thinkers with an interest in leadership and building community may be ideal candidates for this communications master’s degree program at GCU.

Master of Arts in Communication with an Emphasis in Education

Offered By

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $600 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 34

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Benefits of GCU’s MA in Communication: Education Emphasis Program

The master’s in communication degree with an education emphasis can help future educators understand and practice the wide range of communication skills needed in both personal and professional settings. In turn, MA in Communication graduates are taught the leadership and teaching skills necessary to teach these strategies to others.

Completing your communications master’s degree at GCU provides you with an education that incorporates your learning with a Christian worldview. As you study, you will be taught about the importance of ethical communication and the appropriate styles and formats of communication based on audience. Earn your degree in a flexible, online format while completing coursework designed to develop you personally, spiritually and professionally.

You can complete your MA in Communications with an education emphasis online at GCU. Through your online learning, you will have access to various tools and resources, as well as support and tutoring available to you. Completing your degree online can be a great way to incorporate flexibility and convenience into your education.

Coursework

Topics in the Communication Master’s Degree With an Education Emphasis

This graduate communication program is structured around three domains: pedagogy, theory and practice. By building a communication degree around these three areas, GCU can prepare you to fulfill leadership roles in this field.

The communication education curriculum focuses on various topics, such as:

Adult-learning theory

Best practices for teaching adult learners

Teaching in communication online programs

Communication theory and cultural use of communication

Organizational and societal use of communication

Corporate social responsibility and public policy

Ethics and messaging

Careers

Career Paths for Communication Education Graduates

GCU graduates with an MA in Communication with an Emphasis in Education degree can be equipped to act as communications leaders in many fields.

They may find work as:

Postsecondary communications teachers

Fundraising managers

Public relations managers

News analysts, reporters and journalists

Writers and authors

Editors

Workplace Settings For Communication Educators

Communications educators have different options when it comes to potential workplaces.

These settings include:

Public and private colleges and universities
Technical/vocational schools and programs
Government offices
Private businesses and corporations

FAQ

Master of Arts in Communication: Education Emphasis FAQs

If you’re looking to further your knowledge by completing a master’s in communication degree that focuses on education, read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about this path.

The difference between an MS and MA in communication with an education emphasis lies mainly in the focus of courses in the program and what they require. MA program courses focus on critical thinking, theoretical and analytical-related studies, while MS programs aim to teach you more scientific, study-based materials.

Completing your online master’s in communication with an education emphasis is a viable option for many busy adult learners. This online curriculum is designed to be completed online by offering interactive coursework and relevant topics of study. Online degrees are becoming more commonplace, and your university’s accreditation is very important when considering online programs, rather than the format through which you completed your degree.¹

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major34 credits

Degree Requirements34 credits

Core Courses

UNV-503

2 Total Credits

COM-500

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on theories of interpersonal communication and their application in a variety of professional contexts. The course builds upon a foundation of relational communication theories to address problems that arise in workplace relationships, including leadership communication, managing emotions at work, working in groups, and becoming social influencers. The course builds skills in direct and indirect messaging, listening, managing perceptions and workplace identity, negotiating conflict, and more.

COM-505

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers theoretical approaches to organizational culture; the processes by which organizations, create, manage, and modify organizational culture; and the ways in which organizational culture is communicated to both internal and external audiences. The course also investigates organizations’ larger relationships with society through examining corporate social responsibility, public policy, and ethics and by considering how organizations manage these spheres of influence and weigh business decisions in the larger context of the collective community in which organizations operate.

EDU-534

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers adult learning theory and instructional practices that are research-based and proven effective in higher education. Technology, online learning, and effective instructional methods for online and traditional instruction are emphasized. Participants research learning models, personalized learning and andragogy and apply their knowledge to improve student engagement and achievement in higher education.

COM-510

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the concepts and theories of strategic communication and their relevance for constructing effective and ethical organizational messages for diverse audiences. The course prepares communicators to make organizational messages meaningful to stakeholders within organizations as well as stakeholders outside organizations. Through an emphasis on real-world applications, students learn how to ethically and effectively persuade through carefully crafted, contextually sensitive messages. The course does so by examining principles and theories of argumentation, persuasion, and behavior change. Students practice skills associated with these concepts as they apply to future career contexts.

COM-515

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course emphasizes principles of pedagogy and student learning in the context of communication studies. Students are encouraged to apply education frameworks and praxis-based training to a communication classroom. Through an emphasis on real-world organizational development, traditional theories of student comprehension, and modern pedagogy, this course prepares students to teach a diverse and eclectic range of communication courses.

EDU-548

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course applies learning theories to classroom instructional methods and strategies. Effective communication, creating learning goals, developing student outcomes and assessments, and giving effective feedback are emphasized. Participants are asked to develop activities, assessments, and lesson plans that would be appropriate for a course taught at a community college or university. Prerequisite: EDU-534.

COM-520

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Students in this course learn the underlying theories, methodologies, and effects of media consumption. This course emphasizes the role and influence of television, radio, social media, internet blogs and websites, and other media outlets on a globalized, interconnected world. The course builds on these concepts by encouraging students to critically evaluate ever-present media messages through applied projects and group work.

COM-525

4 Total Credits

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Start Your Journey Today

Join your fellow future communication educators at GCU and earn your Master of Arts in Communication with an Emphasis in Education. Fill out the form on this page to get started.

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Staff Writers. (2023, May 24). How Does Online College Accreditation Work? BestColleges. Retrieved on May 25, 2023.

Online MA in Communication: Education Emphasis

Study Relationships Between Communication and Education

Benefits of GCU’s MA in Communication: Education Emphasis Program

Topics in the Communication Master’s Degree With an Education Emphasis

Communication and Education Areas of Study

Career Paths for Communication Education Graduates

Workplace Settings For Communication Educators

Master of Arts in Communication: Education Emphasis FAQs

Course List

Course List