QUESTIONS ABOUT THE M.A. PROGRAM
- What are the different areas of emphasis in the program?
- Is the program theoretically or professionally oriented?
- How long does the program take to complete?
- Can the M.A. program be completed on a part-time basis?
- What are the differences and similarities between the on-campus and online master’s programs?
- Can I transfer credits or grades from other institutions into the program?
- What is tuition for the program?
- How do I establish residency to qualify for in-state tuition?
- Who administers the program?
- How can I learn more about the program?
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS
- When is the application deadline?
- What materials are required with the application?
- Are GRE scores required?
- What is the application fee, and how do I pay?
- I cannot afford the application fee. Is it possible to request a waiver?
- What are the minimum requirements for admission?
- If my undergraduate degree is not in communication, journalism or a related field, will I still be considered for admission?
- If I am an international student, must I take the TOEFL or IELTS exam?
- Can letters of recommendation be sent electronically?
- May I submit more than three letters?
- What are the guidelines for the statement of purpose?
- What are the guidelines for the writing sample?
- What are the guidelines for the portfolio?
- How do I go about sending in my transcripts?
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE M.A. PROGRAM
What are the different areas of emphasis in the program?
Our students choose among four programs of study:
- Journalism
- Strategic Communication
- Theory and Research
The Journalism program of study features three specializations: interactive design journalism, public life reporting and video journalism.
The J.D./M.A. dual degree combines the Theory and Research program of study with graduate study in law.
Visit our curriculum page to read about these programs of study and their respective requirements and faculty members.
Is the program theoretically or professionally oriented?
We deliver both. The Journalism and Strategic Communication programs of study prepare students for careers in industry. The Theory and Research program of study is designed for students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees, careers in academia (teaching and research) or non-academic research positions.
How long does the program take to complete?
The Theory and Research program of study typically takes two academic years (four semesters) to complete. Students in the J.D./M.A. dual degree program complete the Theory and Research program of study and the School of Law's J.D. program simultaneously, over the course of four academic years.
The Journalism program of study is designed to be completed in one calendar year, from summer II (starting late June), through fall, spring and summer I (ending late June the next year). The Strategic Communication program of study is designed to be completed in one calendar year, from fall (starting mid-August), through spring, summer I and summer II (ending late July the next year).
Can the M.A. program be completed on a part-time basis?
This degree program is designed for full-time students based on course sequencing and timing. Working professionals interested in a part-time master’s option are encouraged to consider the online M.A. in Digital Communication degree program.
What are the differences and similarities between the on-campus and online master’s programs?
Both programs feature the expert faculty and individual attention that are the hallmarks of graduate education at UNC Hussman, but there are several key differences between the M.A. in Media and Communication and the M.A. in Digital Communication. The residential program features a curriculum that is customizable to meet the needs of students with a variety of goals and interests, while the online program features a broad, prescribed curriculum designed specifically for working professionals with at least three years of communications experience. See the chart below.
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| M.A. in Media and Communication (Journalism) | M.A. in Media and Communication (Strategic Communication) | M.A. in Media and Communication (Theory and Research) | M.A. in Digital Communication | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery | On campus | On campus | On campus | Online |
| Duration | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years | 2.5 years |
| Full-time/part-time status | Full-time | Full-time | Full-time | Part-time |
| Credit hours | 30 | 33 | 39 | 30 |
| Start term | Summer I (late June) | Fall (mid-August) | Fall (mid-August) | Fall (mid-August) |
| Typical course pace | 4 courses per semester for 2 semesters (following initial summer bootcamp) | 4 3-credit courses and 1, 1.5-credit course per semester for 2 semesters | 4 courses per semester for 3 semesters | 2 courses per semester for 4 semesters (plus 1 summer course) |
| Final term | Thesis project (summer I) | Thesis project (spring) | Thesis (spring) | Thesis project (fall) |
| Curriculum structure | 6-8 required courses, plus 1-3 electives | 7 required courses, plus 3 electives | 4 core courses, plus 9 courses based on research interest | Prescribed: 9 specific online courses taken in order |
| Typical class size | 20 students or fewer | 20 students or fewer | 20 students or fewer | 20 students or fewer |
| Admissions deadline | Jan. 9, 2024 | Jan. 9, 2024 | Jan. 9, 2024 | March 12, 2024 (priority) May 14, 2024 (final) |
| Professional experience required | None | None | None | 3 years in communications role(s) |
| GRE required | No | No | No | No |
| Federal financial aid available (via UNC-Chapel Hill) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Can I transfer credits or grades from other institutions into the program?
We do not accept credit transfers from other institutions for our master's programs.
What is tuition for the program?
Tuition and fees are detailed on our page about program costs.
How do I establish residency to qualify for in-state tuition?
If you indicate in your online application that you claim North Carolina residency for tuition purposes, you will be prompted to complete a residency determination form online. Guidelines for residency consideration are available from the North Carolina Residency Determination Service.
Who administers the program?
The program is administered by UNC Hussman's Office of Graduate Studies, overseen by Associate Professor Lucinda Austin. The directors of our three programs of study are:
- Journalism: a href="/directory/faculty/rhonda-gibson" target="_blank">Rhonda Gibson
- Strategic Communication: a href="/directory/faculty/suman-lee" target="_blank">Suman Lee
- Theory and Research: a href="/directory/faculty/shannon-mcgregor" target="_blank">Shannon McGregor
How can I learn more about the program?
We offer online info sessions every fall for prospective students. Our graduate program staff and M.A. program director are available to answer your questions and connect you with more resources. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies at mjgrad@unc.edu or (919) 843-8307 to be added to our program email list or ask a question.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline to start in 2024 is Jan. 9, 2024.
More information on the application timeline is available on our admissions page.
What materials are required with the application?
The following materials are required:
- Unofficial undergraduate transcript(s)
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation, submitted by recommenders
- Resume/CV
- Writing sample(s)
- For Journalism applicants, work portfolio
Are GRE scores required?
GRE scores are not required. You may elect to submit GRE scores if you feel the scores will benefit your application.
What is the application fee, and how do I pay?
The $95 application processing fee can be paid online through the online application system via credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard). You may also send a check drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars payable to UNC-Chapel Hill to:
The Graduate School - Admissions
Campus Box #4010, 200 Bynum Hall
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
I cannot afford the application fee. Is it possible to request a waiver?
Please visit The Graduate School's website to determine whether you are eligible for an application fee waiver and for instructions on how to request an application fee waiver.
What are the minimum requirements for admission?
Minimum criteria include:
- A recognized undergraduate degree
- An undergraduate GPA of “B” or better (3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale)
For more information, please visit our admissions page.
Applicants below these standards will need to demonstrate substantial compensatory qualifications to be considered. Meeting the above criteria is not a guarantee of admission.
If my undergraduate degree is not in communication, journalism or a related field, will I still be considered for admission?
Yes. The program is designed to meet the needs of many different types of students; among those are holders of bachelor’s degrees in other areas.
If I am an international student, must I take the TOEFL or IELTS exam?
International students who have not graduated from a degree program in which English is the sole language of instruction must take the TOEFL or IELTS exam and achieve the following scores:
- Internet TOEFL exam: 105 or higher
- Computer TOEFL exam: 260 or higher
- Paper-based TOEFL exam: 620 or higher
- IELTS exam: 7.5 or higher
The Graduate School's application instructions outline the specific conditions under which this requirement is waived.
Can letters of recommendation be sent electronically?
Yes, all application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted electronically through The Graduate School’s online application system. Applicants will be prompted to provide the names and contact information for a minimum of three persons who will write letters of recommendation. Each recommender will receive an email with instructions on how to upload their letter of recommendation into the online system or how to mail a sealed, printed copy of the recommendation directly to The Graduate School.
May I submit more than three letters?
Yes, you may have more than three letters sent on your behalf.
What are the guidelines for the statement of purpose?
The statement of purpose should describe your background, career goals and areas of research or professional interest. It should be double-spaced and no more than four pages long. The statement should clearly specify how the graduate degree will contribute to your career goals (professional or academic). Applicants to the theory and research program of study should further elaborate on their research interests.
What are the guidelines for the writing sample?
Upload your writing sample in the Supplemental Document(s) - Required section of the Program Supplement page of the online application. You may submit an academic paper, news article(s), marketing plan or other representative piece of writing.
What are the guidelines for the portfolio?
Applicants to the Journalism area of interest must submit a portfolio of their work in the Supplemental Document(s) - Required section of the Program Supplement page of the online application. If the portfolio is available online, please upload a PDF containing a link to the online portfolio. There is no required format for the portfolio. Any work you wish to be considered must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.
How do I go about sending in my transcripts?
One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded into the application by the application deadline. We only accept unofficial transcripts for application evaluation. Please do not mail transcripts. If you are offered admission, you will be requested to obtain one official transcript for each university attended and given instructions on how to submit those official transcripts.