Master of Arts in Communication

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1-202-452-8711. You may also set up a one-on-one advising appointment with the advisor.

Interested in teaching? We need people with a Ph.D. in Communication or a Master's degree in Communication and significant job experience. Contact Erika Falk to add your resume to our database.

HOPKINS EXCELLENCE:
Johns Hopkins University offers a serious and practical Master of Arts in Communication. The Hopkins reputation is known world-wide for excellence in education. Hopkins graduates from the MA in Communication carry this reputation 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 our students' educational and networking potential. 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 electives engage students by having them tackle real-life communication issues, develop usable communication skills, and build 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 create a persuasive message? How do you test a message to see if it will work? In our core curriculum, Hopkins students learn to conduct and read primary research so as to design the most effective communication campaigns and messages.

Combining the science and practice of communication gives our Master of Arts in Communication 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 so students can take classes at a full- or part-time pace. We offer classes in the evenings so students do not need to break stride in their professional careers; some courses are offered online and on Saturday. 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.

LOCATION:
The Master's degree in Communication is housed at the DC Center 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.

Graduate Degree Programs:

Master of Arts in Communication

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 degrees in about 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 department at the Carey School of Business. 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 an MA in Communication. In addition, they may identify a concentration in one or occasionally two of the below fields. A concentration requires at least four courses in an area. Students may take electives in any area regardless of concentration. A single course cannot count toward two concentrations. Students who want to earn two concentrations must take eight electives. Students do not need to specify a concentration. Concentrations are not currently available for students taking courses soley online.

Concentration in Public and Media Relations

The concentration in public relations covers everything from pitching to planning, budgeting, and executing a comprehensive communication campaign. Courses include public relations, media relations, crisis and issue communication, and editorial and op-ed writing. 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 issue 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 how to develop and evaluate an effective public information campaign, what demands are placed on communication specialists during a crisis, and how to incorporate behavior-change messages into entertainment. Courses include social marketing, health psychology, emergency and risk communication, and strategic communication program management. Health communication professionals must develop, deliver, and evaluate modern health communication programs. 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 information sharing 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

The concentration in corporate and non-profit communication examines all of the important components of communication in an organizational context. 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.