M.A. in Digital Communication

"Experts at your fingertips"

Stephany Pritchard always wanted to go back to school to earn a master’s degree. But with a full-time job and a family life, the task seemed daunting—until she found UNC Hussman's online master’s program. “What makes UNC different is that you have experts at your fingertips and they’re willing to help you through your education,” says Pritchard, a 2018 program graduate. “I found that incredibly valuable and special."

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Why Carolina Online?

Broad curriculum balancing concepts and application, to equip students for strategic thinking and management-level decision-making in diverse subject areas
Small classes taught by full-time UNC Hussman faculty and industry experts
Opportunities to focus course assignments on real-world workplace topics and challenges

Access to UNC-Chapel Hill resources, including libraries, IT support and Adobe software
Two in-person experiences on campus at UNC-Chapel Hill
Networking opportunities with classmates, program graduates and Hussman alumni

Looking for a shorter online program? Consider our three-course graduate certificate. Finish in one year, and transfer credit to the master's program.

Want to study full-time? Learn about the specialized programs of study in our on-campus master's program in Chapel Hill

"UNC's faculty helped me identify programmatic advertising as the subject for my final project, and the resulting industry survey that I authored directly led to a job as a vice president with Tribune Media. I credit the program with my advancement and would recommend the program to anyone interested in moving their career forward in the rapidly changing media and journalism industries."

William Ammerman '15, New York, N.Y. - Global Head of Advertising, EVP at Frankly Inc.

"The program gave me so much access to knowledge and challenged me to think deeply. These classes gave me better insight into the workings of sub-departments within Chipotle's marketing division as well as confidence to propose ideas to marketing leadership."

Candace Doby '14, Atlanta, Ga. - Marketing Strategist Manager at Chipotle Mexican Grill

"I had already been in leadership and had some degree of success, but the experience gave me a great boost of confidence, a greater depth of knowledge about the media industry, and the practical value of a UNC education on my resume. In an industry that in undergoing drastic systemic changes, these have been invaluable to helping me maintain perspective and adapt to the waves of change I encounter."

Frank Taylor '14, Asheville, N.C. - Managing Editor at Carolina Public Press

"The program allowed me to pursue my academic goals online from where I live, without taking time off from my career. I've expanded my leadership and digital media skills while building lifelong relationships with faculty and classmates. It's great to be a part of the Carolina family."

Priscilla Tsai '14, Charlotte, N.C. - Editor and Art Director at A.P.E.

"The greatest strength of this program is that it provides extensive exposure to theory with ample opportunities for application. The ability to identify problems, develop novel solutions and justify the proposed approach is what defines leaders in marketing. The program, in my opinion, is uniquely designed to build these skills."

David DeFranza '15, Salt Lake City, Utah - Ph.D. Student, Consumer Behavior Marketing at the University of Utah

"I found a lot of value in hearing from my classmates about how a certain strategy or research is applied in the workplace. The various backgrounds among my classmates and the experiences they shared, paired with the curriculum, helped me acquire a unique understanding and knowledge of how to apply course concepts to my everyday work."

John Roberts '15, Chapel Hill, N.C. - Owner, Creative Est.

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Student Work and Program News

Hussman students juggle graduate work and jobs at Carolina	Hussman School earns No. 1 national rank for M.A. in Digital Communication program	Graduating Tar Heels: Stephany Pritchard
Love your job? It might be time for grad school	Alum credits online master's for article on Russian propaganda	It's #UNCMATC defense season

2

1:1

50%+

17,000+

PRIORITY DEADLINE: 2025 M.A. in Digital Communication application

March 11, 2025

"Experts at your fingertips"

Why Carolina Online?

Learn more

Calendar

Tuesday

March 11

PRIORITY DEADLINE: 2025 M.A. in Digital...

Tuesday

May 13

FINAL DEADLINE: 2025 M.A. in Digital...

Student Work and Program News

Hussman students juggle graduate work and jobs at Carolina

Hussman School earns No. 1 national rank for M.A. in Digital Communication program

Graduating Tar Heels: Stephany Pritchard

Love your job? It might be time for grad school

Alum credits online master's for article on Russian propaganda

It's #UNCMATC defense season

Search form

M.A. in Digital Communication

2

1:1

50%+

17,000+

PRIORITY DEADLINE: 2025 M.A. in Digital Communication application

March 11, 2025

"Experts at your fingertips"

Why Carolina Online?

Learn more

Calendar

Tuesday

March 11

PRIORITY DEADLINE: 2025 M.A. in Digital...

Tuesday

May 13

FINAL DEADLINE: 2025 M.A. in Digital...

Student Work and Program News

Hussman students juggle graduate work and jobs at Carolina

Hussman School earns No. 1 national rank for M.A. in Digital Communication program

Graduating Tar Heels: Stephany Pritchard

Love your job? It might be time for grad school

Alum credits online master's for article on Russian propaganda

It's #UNCMATC defense season