MA Communication at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Programme overview

The MA in Communication specialises in communication policy and planning, global communication, information and communication technologies, intercultural communication, public relations and social media. Students complete a thesis (Plan A) or practicum (Plan B).

What you will study

Students complete 33 credits with at least a 3.0 GPA: COM 611 Communication Theories, COM 612 Communication Inquiry, a track pairing (e.g. Strategic Organizational Communication with Intercultural Communication), one seminar, a 6-credit capstone thesis or practicum, and 12 elective credits, ending with a two-hour oral exam.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Meet Graduate Division admission requirements; statement of academic objectives; three letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant's academic work (former professors preferred); applicants from non-English-speaking countries need TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5. No undergraduate communication degree required. Admission is fall semester only.

Domestic applicants: USD 10,400 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Hawaii resident rate. Source

International applicants: USD 22,432 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Non-resident rate. Source

Graduate applications are accepted for Summer, Fall and Spring terms; Graduate Division begins processing applications from August 1 for the following Fall and Summer semester and from April 1 for the following Spring semester.

All graduate application deadlines are set by the graduate programmes and vary by programme; some programmes set priority deadlines. Most Fall applicants hear a decision by late March/early April and Spring applicants by November/December. Application fees are non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/

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