Communication Graduate Programs

Earn a Master of Arts Degree in Communication 

A master's in Communication through Marquette's graduate program prepares students for intellectual, artistic, professional and ethical leadership in a complex technological and multicultural world. It uses a core of common knowledge, values, and communication skills to improve understanding of communication as a cultural and social process and to develop the skills necessary for success in constantly changing information environments.

Communication Graduate Programs Offered

 Select the Communication graduate programs below for more information. 

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Master of Arts in Communication Specializations

The Master of Arts in Communication offers the opportunity to choose from two specializations: Communication and Media Studies or Digital Communication Strategies. 

Communication and Media Studies

The Communication and Media Studies specialization focuses upon deeper skills of analysis and research in communication and prepares students for advanced roles in their careers or for doctoral studies. The digital communication strategies specialization focuses upon the planning and use of communication technologies and prepares students to work as leaders in their professional fields.

Students are encouraged to tailor the degree to their individual interests by choosing from the varied pro-seminars or topics courses offered in communication, or from courses offered in other Marquette graduate programs, including business, marketing, English, psychology, and political science.

For more information regarding Communication and Media Studies, including program requirements and course work overview, visit the Diederich College of Communication

 

Digital Communication Strategies

This specialization provides you with the conceptual foundation and practical training you’ll need to help organizations plan and execute effective digital communication strategies.  In addition to learning how to plan effective strategies and create digital content, your coursework will also explore how to measure the effectiveness of communication messaging in advertising, public relations, and journalism.

For more information regarding the Specialization in Digital Communication Strategies, including program requirements and course work, visit the Diederich College of Communication Department website.

Digital Storytelling Certificate

The certificate is for those who want to understand the theoretical foundation of storytelling, apply it to the various disciplines in communication, and learn the applied skills in multimedia technology to competitive in the converged job market. Students who complete the certificate will learn different types of storytelling, such as informational, persuasive, and historical, and different forms of storytelling, such as public affairs journalism, fundraising, advertising, public relations, entertainment, as well as family stories. Students also learn different means for doing storytelling through documentaries, blogs, websites, print media, etc. Woven into the program are ethical considerations regarding who tells the story.

Milwaukee offers a rich urban laboratory for communication study, with a wide array of advertising and public relations agencies, major corporations, consulting firms, broadcast stations, general interest and specialized newspapers and magazines, and online publications.

Visit the department web page for more detailed program information about the Digital Storytelling Certificate.

Gainful Employment information for certificate programs can be found online.

Master of Arts in Corporate Communication

In addition to our master of arts in communication, the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication offers a master of arts in corporate communication in conjunction with the Graduate School of Management.

To apply to the Corporate Communication graduate program, visit the Graduate School of Management.

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Ready to learn more about Marquette's Communications Graduate program? Request more information now or schedule a campus visit.

Graduate Program Recruiters

M.A. in Communication and the Certificate in Digital Storytelling

Mary Wacker

phone: (414) 288-0327

email: mary.wacker@marquette.edu

M.A. in Corporate Communication

Kim Huettl

phone: (414) 288-7667

email: 


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Application Deadlines

Students typically begin their studies in the fall of each academic year. Admission is on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply early.

This program has rolling admissions, which means you may apply any time before the following dates:

  • Fall term admissions- August 1 (June 1 for international applicants)
  • Spring term admissions- December 15 (October 15 for international applicants)

These are the dates your application must be complete and all required documentation must be received in the Graduate School by these dates.

However, applicants who wish to be considered for merit-based financial aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships) should be aware of the merit-based financial aid deadlines by which all applicant materials must be received by the Graduate School:

  • Fall (August) Term: February 15
  • Spring (January) Term: November 15
  • Summer (May) Term: April 15

Application Requirements

  • Copies of all colleges/universities except Marquette.1
  • Three letters of recommendation, specifically in letter format.
  • A brief statement of academic and professional goals.
  • For M.A. Applicants only: GRE scores (general test only). Waived for Marquette graduates with a major from the College of Communication, with an overall GPA of 3.250 and a major GPA of 3.500.
  • For international applicants only: TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency is required. A minimum score of 600 on the paper-based version, 250 on the computer-based version, or 100 on the Internet-based version is required.
  • Note: Applicants interested in the Master of Arts in Corporate Communication  apply through Marquette's Graduate School of Management.

1 Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

Financial Aid

For a comprehensive listing of merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships) please visit the departmental financial aid web page. Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses as well.

Trinity Fellows Program

Students interested in the Communication Master's program may want to consider applying for the Trinity Fellows Program as well. Trinity Fellows is a graduate fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice. Trinity Fellows participate in a 21-month study/ work program while earning a master's degree. Those who have completed a full-time service program (minimum 10 months), and/or have worked for 2+ years in the nonprofit sector are eligible to apply. Details and instructions to apply are found on the Trinity Fellows website.