MA in Communication
The Master of Arts in Communication program provides a powerful opportunity to hone or perfect your communication skills. With a cutting-edge curriculum that integrates writing, research, technology, and strategy—taught by expert faculty with real-world experience—this program prepares students to advance in their careers or transition to new fields. Our alumni are managers, directors, vice presidents, presidents, and other leaders in government agencies, associations, nonprofits, and corporations. Students can opt to pursue a specialized area of concentration, including Applied Research for Communication, Corporate and Nonprofit Communication, Digital Communication, Health Communication, Political Communication, and Public and Media Relations, and will have access to our exclusive job opportunities network and career services center.
Admissions Criteria for all Advanced Academic Programs
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- Statement of Purpose: Explain why you are interested in earning the Master of Arts in Communication and how it will help your career or other goals. Double space your essay and limit it to 500 words or less (place the word count at the end of the document).
- Writing Sample: Please go to the online application to download instructions for your writing sample.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
Program Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Course - Required: | ||
AS.480.600 | Research & Writing Methods | 3 |
Core Courses - Customizable | ||
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Foundations of Digital Media | ||
Changing Behavior through Communication | ||
Theory of Mass Communication Practices | ||
Persuasion | ||
Practicum | ||
Electives (select six electives) | 18 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
Concentrations
Students are not required to specify a concentration. Students who want a concentration may identify one, or occasionally two, of the fields listed below. A single course cannot count toward two concentrations. Students may take electives in any area regardless of concentration. To earn a concentration, students may have to take in-person and online courses. Although it is possible for online students to earn a concentration, there is no guarantee enough courses will be available online for all concentrations. Concentrations appear on transcripts but not diplomas.
Public and Media Relations
The concentration in public relations and media covers everything from pitching and planning, to budgeting and executing a comprehensive communication campaign. Private companies, nonprofit organizations, and federal agencies all employ communication strategies and need employees knowledgeable in theory and practice. Students must complete at least three of the following electives:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.480.603 | Communication in Practice | 3 |
AS.480.613 | Communication Ethics in Action | 3 |
AS.480.622 | Branding by Motion Picture | 3 |
AS.480.629 | Public Relations in the Age of Digital Influence | 3 |
AS.480.634 | Journalism & Publishing in the Digital Age | 3 |
AS.480.635 | Communication.org:Not-for-Profits in the Digital Age | 3 |
AS.480.637 | Using Social and Digital Media | 3 |
AS.480.638 | Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | 3 |
AS.480.642 | Corporate Social Responsibility Campaigns | 3 |
AS.480.643 | Branding and Advertising | 3 |
AS.480.645 | Health Literacy, Language and Culture | 3 |
AS.480.653 | Communicating for Social Change | 3 |
AS.480.654 | Strategic Communication Program Management | 3 |
AS.480.657 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
AS.480.658 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
AS.480.659 | Risk and Crisis Communication | 3 |
AS.480.660 | Media Relations | 3 |
AS.480.661 | International Public Relations and Public Diplomacy | 3 |
AS.480.662 | Opinion Writing | 3 |
AS.480.663 | Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
AS.480.665 | Speech Writing | 3 |
AS.480.668 | Understanding Markets and Audiences | 3 |
AS.480.685 | Argument & Public Address | 3 |
Political Communication
The concentration in political communication addresses issues from campaign strategies to running a press office to influencing public policy. Whether people are governing, running for office, or pushing for policy change, communication lies at the heart of politics.
Students must complete at least three of the following electives:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.480.603 | Communication in Practice | 3 |
AS.480.613 | Communication Ethics in Action | 3 |
AS.480.622 | Branding by Motion Picture | 3 |
AS.480.632 | Digital Political Strategy | 3 |
AS.480.637 | Using Social and Digital Media | 3 |
AS.480.638 | Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | 3 |
AS.480.645 | Health Literacy, Language and Culture | 3 |
AS.480.658 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
AS.480.659 | Risk and Crisis Communication | 3 |
AS.480.661 | International Public Relations and Public Diplomacy | 3 |
AS.480.662 | Opinion Writing | 3 |
AS.480.665 | Speech Writing | 3 |
AS.480.668 | Understanding Markets and Audiences | 3 |
AS.480.675 | Public Policy Management & Advocacy | 3 |
AS.480.685 | Argument & Public Address | 3 |
Health Communication
The concentration in health communication covers how to develop and evaluate effective public information campaigns, how to manage the demands placed on communication specialists during a crisis, and how to incorporate behavior change messages into a variety of channels and genres, such as entertainment. Health communication professionals must develop, deliver, and evaluate modern health communication programs. This concentration explores what has been done, what works, and why.
Students must complete at least three of the following electives:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.480.603 | Communication in Practice | 3 |
AS.480.613 | Communication Ethics in Action | 3 |
AS.480.622 | Branding by Motion Picture | 3 |
AS.480.638 | Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | 3 |
AS.480.640 | Health Communication | 3 |
AS.480.645 | Health Literacy, Language and Culture | 3 |
AS.480.653 | Communicating for Social Change | 3 |
AS.480.654 | Strategic Communication Program Management | 3 |
AS.480.659 | Risk and Crisis Communication | 3 |
AS.480.668 | Understanding Markets and Audiences | 3 |
AS.480.682 | Health Psychology & Behavior Change | 3 |
AS.480.686 | Behavior Change and Education through Entertainment | 3 |
AS.480.687 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
Digital Communication
The concentration in digital communication examines the strategic use of digital technologies for communication professionals. This concentration addresses how to use the Web and social media to reach out to diverse public groups and how to incorporate digital with traditional communication campaigns. Digital communication tools are an important part of the modern communication workplace.
Students must complete at least three of the following electives:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.480.603 | Communication in Practice | 3 |
AS.480.622 | Branding by Motion Picture | 3 |
AS.480.629 | Public Relations in the Age of Digital Influence | 3 |
AS.480.632 | Digital Political Strategy | 3 |
AS.480.633 | Interactive Marketing and Advertising | 3 |
AS.480.634 | Journalism & Publishing in the Digital Age | 3 |
AS.480.635 | Communication.org:Not-for-Profits in the Digital Age | 3 |
AS.480.636 | Web Writing and Content Strategy | 3 |
AS.480.637 | Using Social and Digital Media | 3 |
AS.480.638 | Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | 3 |
AS.480.639 | Advanced Social Media Management | 3 |
AS.480.645 | Health Literacy, Language and Culture | 3 |
AS.480.668 | Understanding Markets and Audiences | 3 |
Corporate and Nonprofit Communication
The concentration in corporate and nonprofit communication examines all of the important components of communication in an organizational context. Students study how managers communicate with staff members effectively across the organization, how businesses and nonprofits communicate with the media, and how advertisers and marketers persuade potential consumers and donors. Successful organizations have solid internal and external communication strategies. Students must complete at least three of the following electives:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.480.603 | Communication in Practice | 3 |
AS.480.605 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
AS.480.613 | Communication Ethics in Action | 3 |
AS.480.622 | Branding by Motion Picture | 3 |
AS.480.633 | Interactive Marketing and Advertising | 3 |
AS.480.635 | Communication.org:Not-for-Profits in the Digital Age | 3 |
AS.480.637 | Using Social and Digital Media | 3 |
AS.480.638 | Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | 3 |
AS.480.642 | Corporate Social Responsibility Campaigns | 3 |
AS.480.643 | Branding and Advertising | 3 |
AS.480.645 | Health Literacy, Language and Culture | 3 |
AS.480.646 | Managerial Communication | 3 |
AS.480.653 | Communicating for Social Change | 3 |
AS.480.654 | Strategic Communication Program Management | 3 |
AS.480.657 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
AS.480.659 | Risk and Crisis Communication | 3 |
AS.480.660 | Media Relations | 3 |
AS.480.663 | Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
AS.480.665 | Speech Writing | 3 |
AS.480.668 | Understanding Markets and Audiences | 3 |
AS.480.675 | Public Policy Management & Advocacy | 3 |
AS.480.687 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
Applied Research in COMMUNICATION
The concentration in applied research prepares students to: assess the research needs of a communication effort; design theory-based formative, process, and summative evaluation studies; execute quantitative and qualitative methods; analyze data using thematic, descriptive, and inferential approaches; and use results to plan and refine communication efforts. Students must complete at least three of the following electives:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Applied Qualitative Research | ||
Communication Ethics in Action | ||
Understanding Markets and Audiences | ||
Practicum | ||
Thesis |
Learning Outcomes
The Master of Arts in Communication aims to ensure that graduates can:
- Explain social science communication theories and their role in developing effective messaging
- Evaluate and summarize scientific communication research
- Assess the effectiveness of communication messaging in diverse settings
- Develop effective content that mirrors real-world communication needs