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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.
Credit Hours*
Years to Complete
Part-time and Online Options
*Credit hours based on the MA. Certificate credits and more details can be found on the Graduate School bulletin.
Communication and Media Studies
Digital Communication StrategiesAs a graduate student in our program, you will choose either the Communication and Media Studies specialization or the Digital Communication Strategies specialization for an additional 12 hours of course work.
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 course work will also explore how to measure the effectiveness of communication messaging in advertising, public relations and journalism.
The digital communication strategies specialization offers topic-based courses, and you can tailor your course selections to meet your professional goals and interests. Specific titles will vary upon term and instructor. After completing this specialization, you will know how to develop an effective communication strategy using a variety of digital communication technologies.
To complete this specialization, choose four courses from the program requirements and course work overview below. Each course has variable topics that you may repeat under a different title, but you must complete courses in at least three areas to fulfill your requirement.
Courses in this specialization are structured as non-lecture proseminars. These intensive, focused seminars allow you to interact at a deep level with faculty and colleagues in your program. The discussion format allows you to simultaneously explore an area of research in depth and discover your interests.
After completing this specialization, you will have the theoretical and methodological foundation you’ll need for a position of intellectual leadership in your chosen communication profession or for doctoral studies. You’ll be able to discover your interests within a broad spectrum of communication concepts, theories and research methods.
Proseminars are organized under six important contemporary topics. Their exact content and title will vary, depending upon the term and instructor. To complete your specialization, you will choose four proseminars from the program requirements and course work overview below. You may repeat one proseminar under a different title, but you must complete courses in at least three areas to fulfill your requirement.
Students are required to take foundational core courses, select their specialization option and choose between either a thesis or non-thesis project during their master's program.
30 total credits including the following:
Visit the Marquette Bulletin for a complete list of course descriptions.
The following courses are required of all students:
COMM 6001 Communication Theory in Context
COMM 6002 Communication Research in Action
COMM 6250 Communication as Ethical Practice
Student must take 3 courses from one of the following options, plus one additional COMM class at the 6000 level. Each course has variable topics and may be repeated once.
All proseminar courses are three credit hours each.
COMM 6810 Digital Communication Strategies in Content
COMM 6815 Digital Communication Strategies in Metrics
COMM 6820 Digital Communication Strategies in Technologies
COMM 6825 Digital Communication Strategies in Leadership
All proseminar courses are three credit hours each.
COMM 6953 Proseminar in Health, Science & Environment
COMM 6954 Proseminar in Media
COMM 6955 Proseminar in Organizations
COMM 6956 Proseminar in Public Life
COMM 6957 Proseminar in Relationships
COMM 6958 Proseminar in Technology
Students are required to choose a specialization and have the option of completing a thesis program or a non-thesis program. All students are admitted to the thesis program (Option 1) but may transfer to the non-thesis program (Option 2) with the approval of the program director. Students must earn a grade-point average of at least 3.00 with no grades below a C.
| Option | Course Work Details |
|---|---|
THESIS PROGRAM |
Students must complete 24 hours of course work plus 6 credit hours of thesis work (a total of 30 credit hours). Students must also submit an approved thesis and are required to give an oral defense of their thesis. Course Work - 9 credits Thesis (6 credits) COMM Elective (3 credits) |
PROFESSIONAL PROJECT |
Non-thesis program students must complete 24 credit hours of course work, 3 credit hours of practicum and 3 credit hours of an approved professional project (a total of 30 credit hours). Course Work – 9 credits Professional Project (3 credits) Communication Practicum (3 credits) COMM Elective (3 credits) |
Marquette’s unique interdisciplinary program is one of the few in the nation that combine public relations fundamentals and communication theory with an advanced business education to prepare professionals for executive-level communication roles in an increasingly complex communication landscape.
This 30 credit-hour program combines business and economics course work in communication and advanced business courses to prepare you for an executive-level communication role. Many companies now have a chief communication officer (CCO) position, which is typically responsible for identity and reputation management, corporate social responsibility, financial communication and investor relations, executive communication, government relations, internal communication and more.
Learn more about Marquette's communication graduate programs.
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Students typically begin their studies in the fall of each academic year. This program has rolling admission, which means you may apply any time before the following dates:
These are the dates your application must be complete and all required documentation must be received in the Graduate School.
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:
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.
For a comprehensive listing of merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships) please visit the departmental financial aid webpage. 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.
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.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
Program Duration: 2 Years
Full-Time: Yes | Part-Time: Yes
Online and On-Campus Options: Yes
Diederich College of Communication
Program Course Work: 30 Credits
Tuition Cost Per Credit: $1,220.00
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