Accelerated Master of Arts in Communication
Earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as little as five years.
Get a head start on graduate school and your career while saving time and money. UConn’s Accelerated MA in Communication allows eligible undergraduates to begin graduate coursework while completing their bachelor’s degree and earn a master’s degree in as little as one additional year.
You’ll build advanced skills in communication, research, media, leadership, and public engagement while preparing for your next step, whether that’s launching your career or continuing your education.
Application Deadlines
Fall admissions: April 15
Spring admissions: Nov. 15
Why Choose the Accelerated MA in Communication?
Whether you’re preparing for the workforce or planning to pursue a Ph.D., the Accelerated MA in Communication helps you build advanced communication, research, and leadership skills while completing your graduate degree sooner.
Save Time
Complete up to 12 graduate credits while still an undergraduate and earn your master’s degree in as little as one additional year.
Save Money
Graduate courses taken as part of the accelerated program count toward both degrees, reducing the overall cost of earning your MA.
Advance Your Career
Develop the communication and research skills that give you a competitive edge in the job market or prepare you for doctoral study.
Stay at UConn
Continue learning with faculty you already know while expanding your professional network and preparing for your next step.
Is the Accelerated MA Right for You?
The Accelerated MA can be a strong fit whether you’re majoring in communication or want to apply communication expertise in another field. Consider the program if you want to:
- Explore areas such as marketing, public relations, organizational communication, social media, or nonprofit leadership.
- Prepare for a career or future Ph.D. program.
- Combine communication with interests in health, science, business, public service, sports, media, politics, or another field.
- Shape your graduate studies around your interests while getting a head start on graduate coursework at UConn.
Not sure how the program fits your major or goals? Email the Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss your interests, timeline, and next steps.
What You’ll Learn
The Accelerated MA combines graduate-level coursework with hands-on learning and close faculty mentorship. Students complete 33 graduate credits, including:
- Methods coursework: To build your skills in research and analysis.
- Theory coursework: To strengthen your background in communication processes.
- Communication electives: To focus your studies on what interests you.
- A professional capstone project: To leave with proof of what you can do.
Graduate electives allow students to explore areas such as health communication, interpersonal communication, marketing, mass communication, new communication technology, nonverbal communication, persuasion, and political communication.
Build Your Portfolio
Every student completes a capstone that connects their coursework with their career interests, giving you a final project that showcases your expertise and prepares you for a career or Ph.D. program. Projects may include original research, communication campaigns, community-engaged or creative work, or other applied experiences.
Career Outcomes
The Accelerated MA in Communication prepares graduates for careers that require advanced communication, research, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. Earning a master’s degree can also strengthen your long-term earning potential and open doors to new career opportunities.
Our graduates pursue careers in areas like:
Advertising
Corporate Communications
Digital Communications
Education
Health Communications
Marketing
Government
Nonprofit Organizations
Research
Public Relations
The program also provides strong preparation for students interested in earning a Ph.D. and academic careers.
How the Program Works
Students accepted into the Accelerated MA begin taking graduate coursework during their undergraduate degree. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Most students spread these courses across multiple semesters while completing their undergraduate coursework before finishing the remaining graduate credits during one additional year of full-time study.
Cost and Financial Aid
Students can apply up to 12 graduate credits toward both degrees, included as part of your undergraduate tuition, helping reduce the overall cost of your master’s degree. Graduate coursework completed while you’re an undergraduate is included as part of your undergraduate tuition. After earning your bachelor’s degree, remaining credits are billed at the graduate tuition rate.
Visit the UConn Office of the Bursar to learn more about graduate tuition and fees. The Accelerated MA is a Tuition & Mandatory Fee Program.
How to Apply
Eligible UConn undergraduates may apply beginning in the fall semester of their junior year. Before applying, email the Director of Undergraduate Studies if you have questions about your eligibility, timeline, and goals.
Applicants must have:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Taken COMM 2000Q
- Taken two additional 2000-level communication courses
Application Instructions
Applying to the Accelerated MA is a two-step process:
- During your junior year, or by the fall semester of your senior year, submit the pre-application through UConn’s Graduate School.
- In the spring semester of your senior year, complete the final Graduate School application.
When completing the pre-application form, use the selections below:
- Program type: UConn Accelerated UG to Grad
- Intended program: Communication
- Term: Fall or Spring
- Campus: Storrs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Accelerated MA?
Eligible UConn undergraduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may apply beginning in the fall semester of their junior year after completing COMM 2000Q and two additional 2000-level communication courses.
Is this program only for students planning to become professors?
No. Many students pursue the Accelerated MA to strengthen their professional skills and prepare for careers in advertising, marketing, public relations, nonprofit leadership, government, digital communication, and other fields. The program also provides excellent preparation for students considering a Ph.D.
Can students outside communication participate?
Yes. Students from other majors who have an interest in communication may be eligible. For example, students pursuing careers in health, science, business, or public service often benefit from advanced communication training. Contact the department to discuss your academic background and goals.
How many graduate courses can I take as an undergraduate?
Students may complete up to 12 graduate credits while still earning their bachelor’s degree. These credits count toward both degrees.
Will the workload be manageable?
Most students spread their graduate coursework across multiple undergraduate semesters before completing one additional year of graduate study. Faculty advisors help students develop a plan that balances undergraduate and graduate coursework.
What is a graduate advisor?
Graduate advisors are faculty members who serve as mentors throughout the program. They help students select courses, develop their capstone projects, and explore research and career opportunities.
Upon entering the Accelerated MA program, we will assign you a graduate advisor based on your interests and goals. You may later switch advisors if you find someone else who is better positioned to guide your work.
What kinds of careers does this program prepare me for?
Graduates pursue careers in advertising, public relations, marketing, corporate communication, health communication, nonprofit organizations, government, higher education, and research. The program also prepares students for Ph.D. programs.
Contact Us
Have questions? We’d love to help. If you are currently a UConn undergraduate student and considering applying, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies or complete our information request form.