Master of Arts in Communication

HOPKINS EXCELLENCE:
Johns Hopkins University offers a serious and practical Master of Arts in Communication in Contemporary Society. The Hopkins name is known world-wide for excellence in education, one built on our long-standing commitment to quality. Hopkins graduates from the MA in Communication program carry this reputation for excellence with them throughout their personal and professional lives.

Communication classes in our master’s program are small to provide maximum, meaningful interaction with distinguished faculty. Classes average 12 students. This enhances the educational and networking potential for our students. We provide a cutting-edge curriculum that integrates digital technology with innovative strategic communication and strong writing skills. Take a look at our course descriptions and faculty members to get a sense of how our strong course offerings and elite faculty can take your career to the next level.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS MEET SOCIAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION:
The Hopkins MA in Communication combines practical and applied knowledge with the theory and science of communication. Professional classes engage students, tackling real-life communication issues, developing usable communication skills, and building a strong portfolio. Industry experts bring real-world lessons, experience, and context to the classroom.

Students also learn from Hopkins scholars how the science of communication informs practice. What makes communication effective? How do you write a persuasive message? Social scientists have answered these questions, and Hopkins students learn to apply these answers to everyday work situations. Combining the science and practice of communication gives our graduates a competitive advantage in the workplace, regardless of whether they work for private industry, government, or non-profit organizations.

FLEXIBILITY:
The communication program is designed to be flexible for full- and part-time students. Communication courses are offered in the evening, Saturday, and online so students do not need to break stride in their professional careers. Students take classes at their own pace. Those who work full time can take one or two communication courses a semester; those who don't can take up to four. We offer courses year round (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Admission to the MA in Communication is also offered year round. Students do not need to wait until Fall semester to start classes, and no GRE scores are required for admission.

LOCATION:
The Master's Degree in Communication is housed at the DC campus of The Johns Hopkins University. The JHU Washington Center is walking distance from the DuPont Circle metro stop, and reduced rate garage parking is available to students during classes.

NETWORK:
Our students are our greatest asset. Most communication master’s students are full-time working communication professionals. They come to Hopkins to get an elite education, and as a result, they comprise an important network of the region's most enterprising and aspiring professionals. Hopkins alumni from the communication program work in the press offices of federal agencies, in the public relations and marketing departments of major corporations, and as communication directors for non-profit organizations. Students and alumni get access to our exclusive job opportunities listserv and the Johns Hopkins Virtual Career Network.

DEGREE:
Ten courses, including a master's thesis, are required to complete the Master's Degree in Communication. Students must write and successfully defend a thesis to earn the degree. The thesis requirement enables the student to develop an area of expertise that they can leverage in their career. Students who work full time can finish their degree in about two years.

Graduate Degree Programs:

Master of Arts in Communication in Contemporary Society

Ten courses, including a master's thesis, are required to complete the MA in Communication. Full-time students can complete their coursework in a little over one year. Students enrolled part time can earn their degree in under two years or take up to five years if they wish. Students who work full time can take a maximum of two courses per semester. Course requirements for MA in Communication.

Master of Arts in Communication/MBA

Students who pursue the joint degree will take classes in the Communication department at the School of Arts and Sciences and in the MBA program at the School of Professional Studies Business and Education. Twenty-two courses, including a master's thesis, are required to complete the degree. Students who work full time can take a maximum of two courses per semester. Course requirements for MA/MBA.

Concentrations and Areas of Emphasis:

All students earn a Masters of Arts (MA) in Communication in Contemporary Society. In addition, they may identify a concentration in one or, occasionally, two areas. Students need not select a concentration and can pursue a broad curriculum that draws from all areas. A concentration requires at least four of the courses in an area. Each course can only count toward one concentration.

Concentration in Public and Media Relations

The concentration in public relations covers everything from advertising to social marketing to planning, budgeting, and executing a comprehensive communication campaign. Courses include: public relations, media relations, crisis and issue communication, and ethnic marketing. Private companies, non-profit organizations, and political aspirants all employ communication strategies and need employees knowledgeable in theory and practice.

Concentration in Political Communication

The concentration in political communication addresses issues from campaign strategies to running a press office to influencing public policy. Courses include public affairs, campaign communication, crisis and issues communication, and speech writing. Whether it's governing, running for office, or pushing for policy change, communication is at the heart of politics.

Concentration in Health Communication

The concentration in health communication considers what characterizes an effective public information campaign, what demands are placed on communications specialists during an emergency, and how drug companies promote drugs. Courses include health psychology and persuasion, crisis and issue communication, and strategic communication program management. Health communication professionals must develop, deliver, and evaluate modern health communications. This concentration explains what has been done, what works, and why.

Concentration in Digital Technologies

The concentration in digital technologies examines digital communication in the context of corporate, political, and cultural communication. This concentration addresses how to use the web to reach out to diverse publics, how decentralized sharing of information has changed the way we communicate, and how to incorporate digital with traditional communication campaigns. Courses include: internet strategies, public relations in the digital age, and not-for-profits in the digital age.

Concentration in Corporate and Non-Profit Communication

A solid communication strategy, both internally and externally, is important to a successful organization. Students will study how managers communicate with staff, how businesses and nonprofits communicate with the media, and how to advertise and market to potential consumers and donors. This concentration in corporate and non-profit communication examines all of the important components of communication in an organizational context.