Communication (Health Communication), MA
Degree Awarded: MA Communication (Health Communication)
Communication (Health Communication) master's description
The Master of Arts program in communication with a concentration in health communication prepares you to design and deliver strategic messages that inform, motivate and empower individuals and communities to achieve better health. The curriculum integrates health care, marketing, behavior-change theory, health strategy, digital media, and emerging eHealth and mHealth technologies, giving you the tools to navigate the complex communication challenges within today's health landscape.
Because effective communication underpins every sector of health care --- involving health outreach, patient care, organizational leadership and policy development --- the field encompasses a wide range of skills, including education and outreach, health advocacy, culturally competent communication, provider-patient interaction, crisis and risk communication and data-informed messaging. This comprehensive training ensures you can connect with diverse audiences and elevate health outcomes across multiple settings.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Degree Requirements
Curriculum Plan Options
- 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (COM 550)
Required Core (12 credit hours)
COM 501 Research Methods in Communication (3)
COM 504 Theories and Models in Communication (3)
COM 530 Training and Development (3)
COM 540 Conducting Communication Research (3)
Concentration (9 credit hours)
COM 511 Health Communication and Social Change (3)
COM 512 Health and Organizational Communication Inquiry (3)
COM 513 Health Communication Across Contexts (3)
Other Requirement (3 credit hours)
COM 598 Special Topics (3)
Restricted Elective (3 credit hours)
COM 598 Special Topics (3)
TPH 501 Foundations of Public Health I (3)
TPH 553 Health Technology and Equity (3)
TPH 557 Public Health Technology, Ethics, Policy and Law (3)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
COM 550 Capstone (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students should see their advisor for the list of approved topics for COM 598.
For restricted electives coursework, students select one course from the list.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in health communication, communication or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admissions application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- professional resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)®, or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
The one- to two-page personal statement should speak to how prior experiences position the student for success in this program. Its focus should be both on the field of communication generally and the focus on health communication.
The resume should highlight how prior work, volunteer and educational experiences set the applicant up for success in the degree concentration.
Next Steps to attend ASU
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Application Deadlines
Fall
Spring
Summer
Career Opportunities
Careers this health communication concentration prepares you for
Graduates are prepared for careers related to health communication, risk and crisis communication, and medicine and health care within educational institutions; federal, state and local governments; nonprofit and community organizations; health care organizations and other health industries.
Career opportunities include:
- health campaign designer
- health communication strategist
- health researcher
- medical or science communicator
- policy or advocacy roles
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- [email protected]
- 480/965-5095