MA in Communication Program Details

Join our Master's in Communication graduate program! Work closely with top professors to dive deep into communication principles that will prepare you for exciting careers or to develop cutting-edge research skills and deep theoretical insights to prepare you for a competitive Ph.D. program. Whether you’re aiming for a Ph.D. or roles in business, media, non-profit work, marketing, or higher-ed administration, this program gives you the tools you need to shape the future you want. Apply now! 

Mission statement

The mission of the Master's in Communication is to provide a quality education that will assist students in developing an advanced understanding of communication theory, research and practice and to prepare them for further graduate study and/or professional work. Toward this end, faculty will pursue two inter-related educational objectives: 

  1. ​Develop graduate students' understanding of and independent thinking about the knowledge base, scholarly activities, and critical practices of the communication discipline.
  2. Enable graduate students to apply and disseminate their knowledge of communication theory and research in ways that reflect the values of diverse perspectives and emphasize the ethical implications of communication.​

Logo for top 10 CIOS or Communication Institute for Online Scholarship award.According to the Communication Institute for Online Scholarship—a company that maintains a vast database of research articles, books and scholarly journals - the Communication program at CMU has been identified as a Top Ten program for research among more than 700 programs in the US and Canada due to its commitment to research article productivity in the field’s journal literature. The areas that have been recognized are debate, diplomacy, and the Indian -SubContinent.

Graduate program highlights

We offer the Master's in Communication for individuals interested in pursuing a graduate degree in communication. This program is particularly relevant for:

  • Students pursuing a doctoral degree and/or career in higher education/academic administration.
  • Secondary speech teachers are interested in building upon their knowledge about communication processes.
  • Individuals seeking an enhanced understanding and application of communication theory and research.
  • Professionals are interested in improving their comprehension of organizational and interpersonal communication.

Individuals interested in exploring communication in both scope and depth to enhance their careers in business, government, non-profit sector, or as a step on the road to a doctoral program are invited to apply to our Master's in Communication.

Admission requirements

Ready to join our Master’s in Communication graduate program? To apply, you'll need a strong academic background, including a bachelor’s degree in Communication or a related field. We look for relevant coursework and a passion for advancing the field of communication.

Admission requirement snapshot

  • GPA: 2.7+ (and 3.0 in last 15 hours in communication courses)
  • Official transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • GRE: N/A
  • Application Deadline: February 15 (for Fall start date)
  • International Students not from English Proficiency Exempted Countries require a minimum TOEFL score of 100 (or a comparable IELTS score).

Assistantships and funding scores

Students accepted into our Master’s in Communication graduate program are welcome to apply for one of our competitive graduate teaching assistantships.

  • Graduate teaching assistants teach two standalone sections of COM 101 each semester.
  • In return, they then receive a stipend and 20 credits of tuition remittance a year.
  • Applications for COM teaching assistantships are due March 1. 

Explore additional University-wide scholarships and funding opportunities here.

Discover student employment opportunities here.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can my application fee be waived?

  • Unfortunately, because the application fee is a university-wide fee, SCJM cannot waive this fee.

2. Do I need an adviser prior to applying to the program?

  • No, we do not require students to have an adviser prior to applying to our program.

3. What countries are TOEFL exempt?

  • A complete list of TOEFL countries can be found here.

4. Do you accept Duolingo English testing?

  • No, we do not accept Duolingo. Please submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.

Additional resources