Professional Communication

Master’s Degree Program

Are you passionate about words and using communication to impact the world around you? Do you want to improve your writing and oratory skills to make a difference in society and promote accessibility and justice? Earn your master’s in professional communication at UAF and gain the practical skills to follow your calling and make an impact.

At UAF, you’ll hone your craft while working closely with Pulitzer Prize-winning faculty members in a community dedicated to Native and Indigenous rights, science and tackling climate change. When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for wide-ranging and rewarding career opportunities in journalism, public relations, editing and education, among many other communication major careers.

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Why Earn a Communication Master’s Degree at UAF?

What is professional communication at UAF? It’s an educational experience that is uniquely Alaska. It’s about practical teaching and coaching opportunities that will enhance your communication skills. It’s a chance to research real-world issues affecting Alaskans and others across the country.

A hands-on communication master’s program

  • While you earn your communication master’s degree, you can work as a teaching assistant to develop skills such as course design, instruction and grading. These skills will be useful for jobs in education as well as other communication major careers in which you might need to present, edit and provide feedback to peers and employees. You can also work as a coach in the Public Speaking Center, helping students while improving your own speaking and organizational skills for your career.

Learn from experienced and award-winning faculty members

  • Thanks to UAF's small class sizes and highly engaged community, you’ll benefit from the attention and support of accomplished faculty both inside and outside the classroom. Want to publish your research or present it at a conference? Work with faculty mentors to submit your research and start building a robust resume.

 

The UAF communication master's program provided me with rich experiences and leadership opportunities to be prepared to excel in my subsequent Ph.D. at a top-ranked university. Tori McDermot , M.A. in Professional Communication, 2019   

 

What Can You Do with a Communication Master’s Degree from UAF?

Communication is a wide-ranging field with a multitude of career options. The skills you'll build in UAF communication master’s program —writing, researching, editing, visual storytelling — are always in high demand, no matter the industry. UAF graduates have won Pulitzer Prizes for journalism and Academy Awards.

Here’s just a small sample of positions you can pursue with a communication master’s degree:

  • Communications coordinator
  • Marketing manager
  • Production assistant
  • Technical writer
  • Journalist
  • Social media manager
  • Editor
  • Sales and marketing manager
  • Grant writer
  • Health educator

 

Explore Classes for the Professional Communication Master’s Degree

UAF’s communication master’s program includes courses focused on building a strong foundation in ethics, research methodologies and team collaboration. You’ll also benefit from UAF’s university-wide focus on environmental and science communication, Indigenous communities and Arctic-related issues such as climate change.

Course offerings include:

  • COJO F631 Teambuilding: Master the techniques and tools to create, maintain and reward productive work teams. The skills you accrue in this course can help you in any management or leadership position you enter in your career.
  • COJO F642 Health Communication: If you are interested in health care at the interpersonal, intra-organizational or public level, this course will prepare you to design, launch and evaluate the effectiveness of health care campaigns.
View all classes for the communication master’s program

Graduate Programs Related to Professional Communication

 

Get Started on Your Communication Master’s Degree

There has never been a more urgent need for ethical and critical-thinking writers than there is right now. Take the next step toward earning your professional communication master’s degree. We have the resources to help you get started.

Talk to a Counselor

Are you still wondering, “What is professional communication and is it right for me?” UAF's expert admissions counselors are here to help you find a meaningful communication major career.

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Learn more about who we are, find information for students and check out the latest news for the creative writing program.

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Earn your professional communication master’s degree at UAF. Submit your application online today.