be inspired.

Communication Master's

"Regardless of your field, you will benefit from the communication and leadership skills taught."

— Nicole Rogers

Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership Studies

The Gonzaga Online Communication Degree
Where Communication Professionals Learn to Lead

Gonzaga's online Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership Studies is an innovative communication degree that blends the latest communication theory and practice with the strong foundation in leadership required to get things done in today's turbulent economy.

The online communication masters degree is designed to provide graduate-level expertise for solving complex communication problems in modern organizations and social systems from a communication and leadership perspective. Our program is grounded in:

scientific theory and methodology
humanistic theory and methodology
global communication and ethics
leadership

An Award-Winning Program

The online Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership Studies is the recipient of the prestigious Innovation Program Award from the National Communication Association, a Washington, D.C.-based organization promoting scholarship and education in the field of communication. The NCA cited the program's strong focus, high-quality teaching, and attention to service as features that raised it above the competition.

A Diverse Student Body

Our online master's degree in communication is designed for professionals from a variety of backgrounds, all aspiring towards leadership roles within their organizations or the communication field.

Students come from: broadcasting, public relations, publicity, advertising, political campaigns, lobbying, human resources, training, consulting, media criticism, media management, marketing, strategic planning, and more — all with the goal of combining advanced communication theory with the leadership skill-set necessary to turn details into action.

Our business communication degree is also popular with recent graduates, who want to earn their masters in communication online, while also being able to work full time. Students find that this program prepares them well for further Ph.D. work in communication.

View the online masters degree in communication curriculum.

Class Sizes Designed to Facilitate Networking

We like to keep our class sizes small, in order to facilitate learning, networking within your class, and student-instructor interaction. Our distinguished faculty are not only exceptional teachers, they are also caring mentors who want you to succeed. Our guiding principle is that it is not what you know, but what you do with what you know.

"Our faculty are among the most respected scholars in the field, and are prepared to guide you into various occupations in the communication professions, including: training and consulting, media industries, college teaching, profit and non-profit organizations or into advanced doctoral studies. "

— Heather Crandall, Ph.D.
Director of the Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership Studies

Write Your Story with a Masters in Communication

Whether you want to forge your own path as a communication consultant, or step-up to leadership within your organization, our online communication masters will provide you with the expertise to get results. In our courses, you learn progressive communication theory and combine that knowledge with leadership capabilities. In the leadership portion of your master's degree, you learn how to forge alliances, challenge convention effectively and the knowledge to confidently handle a crisis head-on.

You will benefit from earning a credential in both communication and in leadership through our Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership Studies. The blending of both sets you apart in the market place.

A Top Tier Education

Gonzaga University has been ranked one of the top universities in the West for 16 years by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, The Princeton Review and Forbes Magazine have separately ranked us one of the nation's best universities.

Kiplingers Personal Finance has named Gonzaga University one of the best values among private universities nationwide.

We are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools (NWCCS) and a member of the Jesuit Education Network.

Professional Outcomes of the Masters in Communication:

Demonstrate a thorough understanding of communication theory and its practical uses in a variety of settings
Exhibit excellence in interpersonal skills, public speaking, small group dynamics, writing and multimedia
Understand and analyze the influence of communication technologies on American society and its global implications
Solve communication problems in modern organizations and social systems
Understand the role of ethics in communication and develop a coherent ethical philosophy for communicating and leading others
Carry out sustained independent research and develop it into a full thesis

Distinctive features of our online Masters in Communication:

Flexible Scheduling: Individualized degree plans and course patterns that fit around your busy work schedule
Tailored Learning: Research projects customized for specific organizational problems
Expert Instruction: Developed in partnership with industry experts and professional instructional designers
Affordable: Gonzaga offers competitive tuition and generous financial aid programs
Accredited: Gonzaga is regionally accredited
Quality: Gonzaga is ranked number three in the west by US News & World Report, and ranked one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review and Forbes Magazine