MA in Communication
The Master of Arts in Communication program provides a powerful opportunity to hone or perfect 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. Program 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. They will also have access to the program's exclusive job opportunities network and career services center.
Admissions Criteria for All Advanced Academic Programs
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the materials and credentials required for all programs, the MA in Communication program requires:
- Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose: Please provide a statement, up to one page in length, describing your personal background and/or a part of your life experience that has shaped you or your goals. Feel free to elaborate on personal challenges and opportunities that have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins.
- Writing Sample: Please go to the online application to download instructions for your writing sample.
Program Requirements
Students in the MA in Communication program must complete:
- One required core course
- Three customizable core courses
- Six elective courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course - Required: | 3 | |
| Research & Writing Methods | ||
| 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 | |
| Choose from any of the offered AS.480.xxx courses | ||
| The approved cross-listed course offering(s) may be taken for elective credit: | ||
| Problem Solving and Innovation | ||
| 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 and media relations 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Communication Ethics in Action | ||
| Introduction to Storytelling | ||
| Public Affairs Communication | ||
| Public Relations in the Age of Digital Influence | ||
| Digital Political Strategy | ||
| Journalism & Publishing in the Digital Age | ||
| Communication.org:Not-for-Profits in the Digital Age | ||
| Web Writing and Content Strategy | ||
| Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | ||
| Advanced Social Media Management | ||
| Corporate Social Responsibility Campaigns | ||
| Communicating for Social Change | ||
| Strategic Communication Program Management | ||
| Censorship, Freedoms, and Communication Regulation | ||
| Introduction to Public Relations | ||
| Public Relations Writing | ||
| Risk and Crisis Communication | ||
| Media Relations | ||
| Speech Writing | ||
| Understanding Markets and Audiences | ||
| Public Policy Management & Advocacy | ||
| Intercultural Communication |
Political Communication
The concentration in political communication addresses issues from campaign strategies to writing speeches 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Qualitative Research | ||
| Communication Ethics in Action | ||
| Introduction to Storytelling | ||
| Public Affairs Communication | ||
| Digital Political Strategy | ||
| Journalism & Publishing in the Digital Age | ||
| Using Social and Digital Media | ||
| Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | ||
| Communicating for Social Change | ||
| Strategic Communication Program Management | ||
| Censorship, Freedoms, and Communication Regulation | ||
| Risk and Crisis Communication | ||
| Media Relations | ||
| Opinion Writing | ||
| Speech Writing | ||
| Understanding Markets and Audiences | ||
| Public Policy Management & Advocacy |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Applied Qualitative Research | ||
| Communication Ethics in Action | ||
| Introduction to Storytelling | ||
| Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Health Literacy, Language and Culture | ||
| Managerial Communication | ||
| Censorship, Freedoms, and Communication Regulation | ||
| Risk and Crisis Communication | ||
| Media Relations | ||
| Opinion Writing | ||
| Understanding Markets and Audiences | ||
| Public Policy Management & Advocacy | ||
| Health Psychology & Behavior Change | ||
| Entertainment-Education |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Ethics in Action | ||
| Introduction to Storytelling | ||
| Public Affairs Communication | ||
| Public Relations in the Age of Digital Influence | ||
| Digital Political Strategy | ||
| Journalism & Publishing in the Digital Age | ||
| Communication.org:Not-for-Profits in the Digital Age | ||
| Web Writing and Content Strategy | ||
| Using Social and Digital Media | ||
| Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | ||
| Advanced Social Media Management | ||
| Censorship, Freedoms, and Communication Regulation | ||
| Media Relations | ||
| Integrated Marketing Communication | ||
| Understanding Markets and Audiences | ||
| Public Policy Management & Advocacy | ||
| Nonfiction Filmmaking | ||
| Entertainment-Education |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Applied Qualitative Research | ||
| Communication Ethics in Action | ||
| Introduction to Storytelling | ||
| Public Affairs Communication | ||
| Public Relations in the Age of Digital Influence | ||
| Communication.org:Not-for-Profits in the Digital Age | ||
| Web Writing and Content Strategy | ||
| Using Social and Digital Media | ||
| Utilizing Images: Media Literacy In Practice | ||
| Advanced Social Media Management | ||
| Corporate Social Responsibility Campaigns | ||
| Branding and Advertising | ||
| Managerial Communication | ||
| Communicating for Social Change | ||
| Strategic Communication Program Management | ||
| Censorship, Freedoms, and Communication Regulation | ||
| Introduction to Public Relations | ||
| Public Relations Writing | ||
| Risk and Crisis Communication | ||
| Media Relations | ||
| Integrated Marketing Communication | ||
| Understanding Markets and Audiences | ||
| Intercultural Communication |
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 communication research 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 | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Practicum |
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