Master of Arts in Media and Public Communication
With a Concentration in Strategic Communication
The M.A. in Media and Public Communication is a 48-credit degree program, which equips
students with essential theoretical and practical skills in preparation for a variety of
professional and research careers in media and communication.
Students will examine the production, representation, reception, use and dissemination of
media and communication within changing global cultural, political and economic contexts. The
program emphasizes the role of media and communication in bridge building and social justice
across diverse audiences.
Students choose one of two areas of concentration: Strategic Communication or Media and
Globalization. Depending on students’ personal goals and interests, they can opt to complete a
master’s thesis or a professional internship as their capstone experience.
Strategic Communication
Strategic communication encompasses skills and activities that are traditionally associated
with the fields of public relations, advertising, brand management, and marketing
communications. The program emphasizes ethical communication and focuses on the
nonprofit sector, as well as on international and intercultural issues within strategic
communication.
Through coursework, students participate in community-focused learning projects and partner
with nonprofit organizations to develop creative and strategic communication campaigns.
Through courses in strategic planning and messaging, health communication, branding,
multicultural communication, research methods and visual storytelling, students integrate
theoretical concepts with the professional skills needed for successful careers in both nonprofit
and corporate settings.
Potential careers
Students are prepared for dynamic and innovative career paths in an increasingly multiplatform and multicultural media environment, and will gain a solid theoretical and practical
foundation for pursuing advanced degrees and conducting independent research projects in
academic or professional settings.
Public Relations
Health Communication
Social and Digital Media
Public Information
Event Planning
Public Affairs
Government Communication
International and Intercultural Strategic
Communication
Degree Requirements:
Minimum Number of Credit hours required for the degree: 48
If students enroll full time, eight credit hours per quarter (fall, winter, spring), they can complete
the M.A. in program in two years.
*Please note: graduate students who are balancing school with work and family schedules
should plan ahead to insure they are able to complete their required courses. Some courses
are offered every other year and students should plan accordingly.
**Students are to register for the zero credit hour course titled MFJS Assessment during the
final year of their program. All students are required to complete the assessment requirements
before they graduate
Required Courses (16 credits):
Core Course Requirements
MFJS 4160 Media Theories
4 credits
MFJS 4300 Freedom of Expression Issues
4 credits
MFJS 4560 Methods in Communication Research
4 credits
Choose one of the following courses
MFJS 4020 Emergent Digital Cultures
4 credits
MFJS 4055 Media and Cultural Studies
4 credits
MFJS 4250 Critical Visual Studies
4 credits
MFJS 4650 Global Media and Communication
4 credits
MFJS 4654 Intercultural Communication
4 credits
Concentration Courses (16 credits):
Course Requirements
MFJS 4050 Foundations of Strategic
Communication
4 credits
Choose three of the following courses
MFJS 4060 Strategic Messaging
4 credits
MFJS 4065 Public Diplomacy and Nation Branding
4 credits
MFJS 4070 Seminar in Strategic Communication
4 credits
MFJS 4080 Global and Multicultural Campaigns
4 credits
MFJS 4165 Global and Development Health Communication
4 credits
MFJS 4175 Multicultural Health Communication
4 credits
Electives (8-12 credits):
MFJS Electives (additional 8-12 credits)
Internship or Thesis (4-8 credits):
MFJS 4980 Internship
MFJS 4995 Independent Research
4 credits
4-8 credits