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Graduate

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s MA and PhD graduate programs train students to become leaders in the social scientific study of mass communication. Our mission is to prepare students for academic and professional careers in a global media environment.

MA in Mass Communication

The MA in mass communication is a research-based, academic program designed to prepare students to conduct scholarly research in the field of mass communication. Upon graduation, you are prepared to begin a career in communication policy or research, within communication industries, or as an educator at the community college level. You also have the option to fashion a sequence of courses to your MA degree to form the initial stages of doctoral study.

What You’ll Study

While our curriculum's interdisciplinary nature allows you to develop unique research projects tailored to your individual interests, most students center their study within several broad areas.

Advertising
Communication law and regulation
Health communication
History of mass communication
International mass communication
Journalism studies
Mass media structures, processes, and effects
Political communication
Public relations

Interested in earning your MA in Mass Communication?

Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and application requirements.

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PhD in Mass Communication

The Hubbard School PhD program is designed to prepare independent scholars for academic careers in teaching and research in mass communication and related fields. The typical career path for our PhD students is to take a tenure-track academic position at a university. Our PhD graduates have been placed at top-ranked universities in the U.S. and other countries, and pursued careers at high-profile non-profit organizations, major advertising, public relations and media organizations, research firms, large corporations, and as consultants.

What You’ll Study

You will build a solid foundation in the discipline through multifaceted exploration of the theories and methods that influence the shape and scope of mass communication research. You are strongly encouraged to develop your own theoretical and methodological approach to mass communication research and to interact and collaborate with our multidisciplinary faculty on cutting-edge research in mass communication in the global and multicultural context.

Advertising
Communication law and regulation
Health communication
History of mass communication
International mass communication
Journalism studies
Mass media structures, processes, and effects
Political communication
Public relations

Interested in earning your PhD in Mass Communication?

Learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, curriculum, and thesis guidelines.

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Professional Master's in Strategic Communication

Designed exclusively for working professionals in advertising, public relations, corporate or nonprofit communications, the Professional MA in Strategic Communication focuses on the study of communications strategy, planning, and evaluation, as well as persuasion and advertising theory. You’ll learn how to create and implement effective communication strategies while becoming a communicator who provides strategic insight to executives.

What You’ll Study

This program is designed for communications and marketing professionals who are working full-time. Our faculty and your fellow students understand the need for work/life balance. This degree is designed to be completed in two calendar years—period.

Advertising
Communication Case Studies
Communication Strategy
Digital Media Strategies
Integrated Media Strategies
Public Relations
Theory

Is This Your Turning Point?

Learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, curriculum, the cohort model and how to apply.

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MA in Health Communication

The MA in Health Communication program is designed around a curriculum of academic and professional skills courses from strategic communication, public health, and other relevant disciplines. It uniquely prepares you for careers in the healthcare domain that rely on the strategic use of health communication to improve people’s health. This ranges from designing health promotion materials to informing administrators, from research to policy development, from communicating with patient publics to non-patient publics, from marketing to public health settings.

What You’ll Study

Core courses will connect mass communication messaging to the field of public health. You also will choose electives that will further your understanding of public health and the social and behavioral sciences, as they relate to strategic health messaging.

Communication theory
Health communication case analysis
Managing communication teams
Message strategy and campaign planning
Research methods and implementation
Strategic communication law and ethics
Target audience messaging

Interested in earning your MA in Health Communication?

Learn more about the program, including courses, eligibility requirements, and sample career paths.

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MA/JD & PhD/JD in Mass Communication & Law

The University of Minnesota offers a unique opportunity to students who are interested in earning either an MA/JD in three years or a PhD/JD in five years. The HSJMC is regarded as one of the top graduate programs in mass communication and the University of Minnesota’s Law School is consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the nation. This program boasts attributes that other programs cannot: A top law school, a major media market, and a thriving graduate program in mass communication.

What You’ll Study

These innovative degree programs enable students to tailor their education to suit their future career goals. Combined programs allow you to apply your credits toward degree requirements in both schools. This will help you save time and tuition expense because you won't have to pursue separate degrees.

First Amendment
Libel law
Data privacy and collection
Freedom of Information (FOIA)
Intellectual Property

Interested in the Mass Communication & Law Program?

Learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, the enrollment process, and application instructions.

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