Whether you are helping an organization roll out a new product, lobbying policy makers, tailoring messages to promote health, finding ways to best communicate scientific concepts to a general audience, or building stronger relationships with stakeholders, Mason’s Communication MA reflects broad and evolving needs in communication.

Communication is the study of basic human social processes the creation and dissemination of meaning and information The major prepares students for graduate study or professional positions in such fields as interpersonal and organizational communication journalism media production and criticism political communication and public relations Students develop skills and knowledge that put them at the edge of a rapidly changing communication industry Majors learn to construct and evaluate messages across platforms web print audio and visual

As the environment for public and private communication becomes increasingly complex, organizations rely more and more heavily on thoughtful and effective communication professionals. To this end, Communication MA students may choose to specialize in strategic communication/public relations, health communication or science communication. They may also choose an individualized specialization in communication studies according to their interests. Across all specializations, students receive a strong foundation in communication theory and learn to design, execute, and interpret rigorous communication research. Students are challenged to apply communication knowledge to help solve problems and to address important social issues.

Step 1: Complete and submit the online Graduate Admissions application. George Mason University requires all graduate applicants to upload all possible required supplementary materials, such as unofficial transcripts, goals statement or writing sample, at the same time you submit your application. Online applications require a non-refundable $75 application processing fee.

• Start Your Graduate Application

Step 2: Within a few days of submitting your online application, you will receive an email with your Mason G number (G#). This is a tracking number provided to all applicants that allows us to match your supporting documentation to your completed application.

Step 3: Check your application status and requirements checklist in your application portal. Initial processing takes 3 to 5 business days from the date of submission. You can use your application log-in and password to access your information throughout the application process. Graduate Admissions may send updates or notify you of issues with your application through your admissions portal, so it is best to log in periodically to monitor your application status.

Step 4: For newly admitted students, refer to the CHSS New Graduate Student webpage for tips on confirming enrollment, submitting official transcripts, registering for class and more.

The fall graduate degree seeking application opens September 15.

Program Specific Requirements

College TranscriptsGoals StatementGREPortfolioRecommendation LettersResumeWriting Sample

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Additional Information

Admission to the graduate program in communication is competitive.  Meeting the minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission.

Goals Statement: Needs to be between 750-1000 words and uploaded to the online application. The goals statement should include the following information: Your future career goals and how an MA in Communication from Mason can help you achieve these goals.

Writing sample prompt:  In 1000-2000 words, respond to the following prompt:

What is a current problem related to strategic, health, or science communication that you might be interested in investigating? Why is this problem important? What would we need to know in order to address and help solve this problem? How would you apply your academic examination of the problem to future works, or if you were to design a study that investigates this problem, what would your study look like?

The writing sample is limited to 2000 words and must be uploaded to the online application.

Application Deadlines

Fall Deadline: March 01

All applicants are strongly advised to submit applications and all supporting documents by the program's posted deadline date.

Tuition fee-2 years-$58,000