The school offers one certificate, two master’s degrees and one doctoral degree from one of the most distinguished graduate programs in the nation.
- Certificate in Digital Communication
A unique, online program of three graduate-level courses that provides an immersion in digital media. Aimed at working professionals with three or more years of communications-related experience.
- M.A. in Media and Communication
Designed to achieve a balance between professional practice and academic theory. It is not strictly a professional master’s program that aims to hone technical skills. Nor is its focus solely academic and theoretical.
The M.A. in Media and Communication offers four tracks — professional, mass communication research, interdisciplinary health communication (IHC) and the J.D./M.A. dual degree program in partnership with the UNC School of Law — and several specializations, including medical and science journalism, business and media, electronic communication, reporting, strategic communication and visual communication/editing/multimedia.
- M.A. in Digital Communication
A new online master’s aimed at working professionals focuses on interactive media, the Internet, digital economics and other issues reshaping journalism and mass communication in the 21st century.
- Ph.D. in Media and Communication
Designed to prepare students for college teaching and research positions or research careers in mass communication industries, advertising agencies, market- or opinion-research firms, business or government. A new J.D./Ph.D. dual degree program with the UNC School of Law debuts will debut in fall 2016.
All graduate students are mentored by the school’s exceptional faculty members who are recognized leaders in their fields. Students consistently win top awards at academic conferences and in professional competitions.
M.A. in Media and Communication graduates move on to professional jobs or continue their studies as doctoral students. Total enrollment in the program usually totals about 50 students, with about 25 new students enrolling each fall.
Doctoral graduates typically seek university teaching and research jobs, but occasionally take high-level professional jobs. About 40 students are enrolled in the program, which admits about 10 new students each year and normally requires three to four years to complete.
Each year, international students make up about 10 percent of the graduate program’s student body.
The graduate program awards prestigious Roy H. Park Fellowships to exceptional incoming master's and doctoral students. The fellowships include generous stipends, tuition, health insurance and funding for research and travel. M.A. in Digital Communication students are not eligible for the fellowships.