Communication in all its forms is at the center of our personal lives and professional careers. Whether it’s interpersonal or mediated communication, professional communicators need to know how to develop creative and impactful messaging to successfully engage their audiences.

Technology has changed everything about the field of communication. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are the first places people go to get breaking news. Retargeting ads, geofencing, and native advertising are influencing how to reach and connect with audiences. Add in the proliferation of big data and marketing coordinators, brand managers, and marketing executives now have access to information that impacts real-time decision-making around creative messaging, audience tracking, and the impact of an organization’s marketing investment.

The best communication master's programs know how to prepare you to leverage the latest in tech in the dynamic and ever-changing field of communication.

RIT's communication master's degree hosts an innovative curriculum that is grounded in today’s social sciences and humanities concepts and applications. You’ll engage with our diverse and dynamic faculty of accomplished communication researchers and practitioners, who will teach you how to research a communication challenge, create compelling messages, and analyze media content and audience engagement.

Communication, MS degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
COMM-702    Communication Theories    3
COMM-703    Research Methods in Communication    3
COMM-714    Strategic Communication    3
COMM-720    Thesis Preparation Seminar    0
     
Communication Electives
6
     
Professional Core
9
Choose one of the following:    
6
   COMM-800       Communication Thesis/Project     
   COMM-801    
   Comprehensive Exam, plus two additional courses*
 
Total Semester Credit Hours    
30
* Courses may be professional core courses, communication electives, or a combination of both.

Professional Core courses are chosen by students based on their professional interests. In consultation with their academic advisor, students will choose from graduate courses offered across the university to round out their coursework.

Communication electives
COMM-605    Social Media Analytics and Research
COMM-606    Digital Storytelling
COMM-709    Digital Advertising
COMM-710    Visual Communication
COMM-715    Communication Design Principles
COMM-716    Communication and Identity
COMM-717    Artificial Intelligence and Communication

Jobs in Communications

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in communication fields are expected to grow by seven percent over the next ten years. Communications professionals with graduate degrees earn an average salary of $86,433.

Types of jobs in communication vary depending on what kind of work interests you most. Graduates of RIT’s communication master’s degree hold positions as:

• Marketing Specialist
• Communication Coordinator
• Account Coordinator
• Communication Assistant
• Digital Marketing and Communication Analyst
• Social Media Manager
• Digital Marketing Specialist
• Customer Sales Director
• Marketing Analyst
• Technical Writer

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS program in communication, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
• Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
• Submit a writing portfolio consisting of at least three writing samples, such as academic papers written for class, work-related brochures and pamphlets, or newspaper or magazine articles.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.

Scholarships of up to 30 percent of tuition are awarded to qualified applicants. The program also offers several graduate assistantships each year as well.

Tuiton fee-$55,000 for 1 year