Be the difference in health care.
Communication is crucial in all areas of healthcare. Covering patient care, public health, marketing, management, and research, the MS in Health Communication prepares working professionals to advance their careers and become leaders in one of today’s most in-demand fields.
The top 5 nationally-ranked Health Communication Online Master’s program at Illinois puts the student experience at our highest priority. Students receive one-on-one guidance and mentoring from all professors throughout the program, participate in discussions with other HCOM students, and build a relationship with an academic advisor who is available 24/7.
Connect with Dr. Lauren Weiner and find out what makes HCOM a unique program, tailored to each individual student’s needs.
Learn more about HCOM
Register for a free virtual information session on Zoom to learn more about the HCOM Program. We’ll explain what makes our program unique and demonstrate how you can immediately apply what you learn to your career. Multiple dates are available.
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 HCOM program 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 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. When you apply, you'll need to supply:
- A current resume
- Scanned transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose/Personal statement
- TOEFL scores (for international applicants)
No GRE is required. While we recommend a 3.0 GPA, it is not required to apply to the program.
When and how do I apply?
Apply any time before August 21 for fall and January 1 for spring. Applications are accepted on a year-round basis. After the start of each semester, any submitted applications will be automatically reviewed for the next admissions cycle.
Visit the Graduate College's application page, review the information, and select the "Apply Now" button.
Where do students get jobs?
HCOM program alumni work at a lot of top employers, including:
- 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
Customize your path with a certificate
Want a top-tier graduate experience in a condensed format? Our four 12-credit certificates offer the same expert faculty and flexible learning as the master's program—and all credits can transfer toward the full degree.
Our certificate programs take on average, a year to complete. You can choose your own courses from the HCOM curriculum and design a schedule that works for you.
Learn more about HCOM certificates at the Health Communication website.
General Health Communication (CHC)
The CHC is the most customizable, flexible certificate program. It’s ideal for students who want to learn more about the Health Communication field as a whole or who would like to try HCOM as a non-degree seeking student before switching to the Masters’ degree.
Patient Care Communication (CPC)
The CPC is an ideal choice for students who are looking for more expertise in the interpersonal aspects of healthcare, including providers with direct patient contact, at-home caregivers, social workers, pharmacists, or any other professionals who provide one-on-one care to others.
Communication and Health Promotion (CHP)
The CHP is an ideal choice for students with marketing and PR, public health, crisis communication, and health campaign experience (or for those who would like more experience in this arena). Courses teach you to tailor your messages to specific audiences through various channels of media.
Communication and Health Management (CHM)
The CHM is an ideal choice for students in administrative or managerial roles in health care. Courses will help you better understand optimization of organizational systems, how to recognize and repair organizational communication at every level of the healthcare field.
Julie Ann Vera
"Before accepting my job at Mayo Clinic last year, I interviewed with four large health organizations and was offered two management-level positions. I simply would not have had these opportunities without HCOM. I apply what I learned every day! HCOM opened my eyes to how many ways health communication professionals can help both patients and providers experience better outcomes."
Natalie Osayande
"This program has not only broadened my knowledge but also equipped me with the tools to make a positive impact in the healthcare industry. The curriculum was thoughtfully designed, and the dedicated professors and their real-world expertise enriched my understanding and skills in this field. I highly recommend the HCOM program - it was a truly transformative experience!"
Vincent Villalobos
"This program provides amazing work-life balance! HCOM professors encourage creativity in developing strategic initiatives and are best-in-class, which made my first online educational experience worth the time and effort."
Arielle Schultz
“HCOM helped me launch my career into an entirely new realm of healthcare. Almost one year exactly after graduating with my degree, I completely changed fields, and I could not be more grateful for the program that prepared me for this new role. The professors were amazing, the classroom conversations were engaging and thought provoking, and the educational materials were relevant not only to my work knowledge but also to my personal life.”