Health Communication Online Master's (HCOM) Program

Flexible Format

100% Online
Asynchronous and group-paced.
Learn from anywhere at anytime.

Quickly Advance Your Career

Complete in 2 years
Over 80% of graduates report new jobs and promotions.

Customize Your Curriculum

4 Certificates
Access to career services
and internship opportunities.

Attend an Information Session

Join us for a virtual information session as we walk you through the program, explain what makes us different from other opportunities in online education, and demonstrate how you can apply what you learn in HCOM to your future career. Multiple dates are available!

MS in Health Communication?

Join a Top-5 nationally ranked Communication department through an online master’s program with a 95% degree completion rate. You can learn from award-winning scholars in the field and network with other professionals in healthcare without compromising your full-time career or personal life. Our classes are asynchronous for convenience; group paced for community and connection. Learn more about this 32-credit degree program that can be completed in just 2 years.

We Make an Online Learning Experience Personal.

Online education is often considered impersonal, but the HCOM program puts the student experience at the highest priority. Students receive one-on-one guidance and mentoring from all professors throughout the program, participate in continuous discussion with other HCOM students, and build a relationship with an academic advisor who is available 24/7 to answer questions and provide support. Email or call Dr. Lauren Weiner (lgrill@illinois.edu; 224-484-0425) and find out what makes HCOM unique and tailored to each individual student's needs.

Is Health Communication right for me?

There can be an overwhelming number of choices when you're looking at healthcare degrees. From Masters in Public Health, to Masters in Health Administration, to Health information Management, to an MBA in Healthcare Management—it's hard to know which program is right for you.

The Masters in Health Communication is unique in that our coursework can be applied to hundreds of careers in healthcare. Flexible assignments allow you to study topics that are immediately relevant to your lives and professional goals. Our degree is also designed for working professionals, allowing you to complete your degree in less than two years without interrupting your career. You'll receive the quality of a top-10 nationally ranked University of Illinois education with the convenience of online and asynchronous learning. Our students are immediately part of a network of expert faculty, fellow students, alumni, and advisors who will support you as you grow or transition your career.

What are the requirements for admission?

The HCOM program is flexible, and our application requirements are as well.
While a bachelor's degree is required, your degree can be in any discipline.
For those with a GPA below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, GRE test scores are required.

How do I apply?

For Fall admission, applications are due by August 15.
For Spring admission, applications are due by January 1.
Visit the Graduate College's application page, review the information, and select the "Apply Now" button.

Where do students from this program get jobs?

Mayo Clinic
The American Medical Association
Blue Cross Blue Shield
The American Academy of Pediatrics
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
Leader and innovator in online education
AstraZeneca
Department of Veteran Affairs

Check out our certificate programs

Do you want to build your skills and expertise in Health Communication, but you're not ready to pursue a master's degree program at this time? We offer four 12-credit-hour certificate programs, which take on average, one year to complete. Choose your own courses from the HCOM curriculum and design a schedule that works for you. And all certificate credits can be transferred to the HCOM program should you choose to pursue a master's degree in the future. Learn more about our certificate programs:

General Health Communication (CHC)

Community and Health Promotion (CHP)

Patient Care Communication (CPC)

Community and Health Management (CHM)

Hear more from others

Aminata Bangoura, MS '20

"The professors, the course topics and my classmates all contributed to my experience in the HCOM program. Each professor will challenge you and give you a different perspective, which I really enjoyed. Every class was an eye-opening experience."

Charee Thompson, Professor

"Learning online provides unique opportunities to use online tools and resources that enhance learning. For example, research projects can come to life through visuals created and shared through online programs and discussion boards can help facilitate dialogue in different and thoughtful ways."

Knight Dixon, MS '14

"The HCOM program prepared me with the knowledge and skills to better understand my work. It gave me a unique understanding of the field, which has been a tremendous asset both personally and professionally."

Dr. Brian Quick, Professor

"Week after week I'm blown away by the amount of thought and application our students put into their posts. They apply course content to their own work environments in meaningful ways. I learn a lot from them and their experiences!"

Learn more about HCOM

Faculty and students talk about what sets the top-ranked Health
Communication Online Master's program at the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign apart from its competition.