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Graduate Programs and Certificates

The College of Communication and Information is a premier institution for post-graduate scholarship across multiple disciplines from communication to library and information science. With our variety of master's degrees, graduate certificates and our Ph.D. program, we strive to cultivate an engaging, supportive environment for scholars to expand their passions into a robust post-graduate education plan and a well-rounded professional career customized to their interests. 
 

Master's Degrees

The Master of Arts degree in communication is a 30-hour degree program which can be completed with both thesis and non-thesis options. The program prepares students for academic and non-academic careers.

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This program can also be completed through the University Scholars Program which provides highly motivated students the opportunity and the challenge of integrating their undergraduate and graduate courses of study in a single continuous program culminating in both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Learn more about the program here.

The School of Information Science offers an online, asynchronous master's degree in information communication technology.

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The School of Information Science offers an online, asynchronous ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science. Additionally, those with a valid teaching certification can earn school media certification. Students can select electives appropriate for academic libraries, public libraries, information technology, health information and more.

Visit this page for more information.

Graduate Certificates

The College offers four certificate programs, available to any student in our advanced degree programs, communication students in other advanced degree programs at the University of Kentucky and students enrolled in the Graduate School for non-degree certification status.

The Health Communication Certificate Program is aimed primarily at individuals interested in developing specialized knowledge and research expertise in health communication that can be applied within both academic and non-academic settings. Students are expected to have a background in social or behavioral science prior to entering the program. 

More information on this certificate can be found here.

Instructional Communication examines the design of messages used in any instructional context, whether it's providing information to employees in an organization, communicating to the public during a crisis, instructing patients on proper healthcare procedures or teaching students in a traditional classroom environment.  

More information on this certificate can be found here.

This fully-online, interdisciplinary graduate certificate in Integrated Strategic Communication confers essential skills in the use of data for designing, implementing, and managing brand communication programs on digital platforms. Its curriculum is designed for practitioners in every discipline and at every stage of their career, from recent graduates to seasoned corporate, agency, nonprofit or small business workers. Ideal for busy professionals who want to advance their careers by deploying content marketing, advertising, public relations, data analytics and social media and digital strategies, the Graduate Certificate in Integrated Strategic Communication is offered in collaboration with the Information Communication Technology program in the College.

Learn more and apply here.

Risk Sciences is designed for professionals who are tasked with risk and crisis planning or might have to communicate with internal or external publics in a crisis, but have never had formal education to guide their actions. The coursework, which can be completed in person or online, will provide foundational understanding of risk and crisis communication and practical application of knowledge. 

More information on this certificate can be found here.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree 

The Ph.D. program emphasizes communication as a social science. Graduates are prepared for university positions and careers in government, the media and other organizations as researchers, consultants and policy makers. Students focus on general knowledge of communication theory and research methods, as well as competence in a core area of specialization. Current core areas include health communication, information studies, instructional communication, media and mass communication, risk and crisis communication and strategic and organizational communication. Learn more here.

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