Communication Studies is a discipline that provides theory, techniques and tools for analyzing, managing and improving communication in every arena of professional and personal interaction.
Students can earn a Master of Arts (MA) in Communication Studies at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. At the graduate level, Communication Studies is a field that examines the process of human communication, including the creation, delivery and receiving of both verbal and non-verbal messages.
The field of Communication Studies cuts across socioeconomic, political and cultural contexts, dealing with how meaning is generated in interpersonal, private, public and mass communication settings. The master’s program in Communication Studies is a multi-disciplinary area of practice that blends several interrelated disciplines, such as mass communication, health communication, intercultural communication, political communication, communication and rhetorical theory, scientific communication, gender studies and interpersonal communication.
The master’s in Communication Studies degree is very versatile and can be applied in many fields from business, sales, healthcare administration and government to law, education, social services, media, technology and many others. The advanced skills graduate students learn are valuable to any employer.
Developing high-level communication competencies in face-to-face interactions, group and team settings, large groups, electronic communication and public messaging is essential to professional success in virtually any career field.
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At Marshall University, Communication Studies graduate students learn to leverage communication theory to analyze, manage and effectively communicate information in personal and professional interactions. Graduate Communication Studies students also focus on how to develop theory-driven communication strategies for nonprofits, corporations and government agencies.
The master’s program in Communications is led by an award-winning faculty in the Department of Communication Studies. Professors, who come from a variety of top programs across the United States, ensure that students learn about the application of Communication Studies in real-world scenarios. Master’s students can immediately apply what they learn across a wide range of positions as public relations specialists, educators, advertisers, fundraisers, health communication specialists, lobbyists, political consultants, community affairs managers, market researchers, writers and editors, journalists and other communication professionals.
Communication Studies faculty members are dedicated to involving students in research projects and community engagement. The department has a strong reputation for excellent instruction, intensive advising and strong mentoring. Small class sizes ensure graduate students not only receive more one-on-one attention from faculty but also come together as a supportive community of learners.
Graduates of Marshall University’s Master of Arts in Communication Studies program are equipped with versatile skills applicable across various industries. Approximately 95% of recent graduates have secured excellent professional positions in fields such as law, government, consulting, healthcare administration, education, higher education administration, corporate communication, business development, and more.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. Approximately 109,500 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.
- Median Salary: $69,780 per year
- Job Growth: Projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average
- Overview: Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for the organizations they represent. They craft media releases and develop social media programs to shape public perception and increase awareness.
- Median Salary: $161,030 per year
- Job Growth: Projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average
- Overview: Marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services. They work with art directors, sales agents, and financial staff members.
- Median Salary: $72,910 per year
- Job Growth: Projected to grow 7.9% from 2023 to 2033
- Overview: Human resources specialists recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers. They often handle tasks related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.
- Median Salary: $100,750 per year
- Job Growth: Projected to grow 7.2% from 2023 to 2033
- Overview: Program managers coordinate and oversee programs within organizations, ensuring they align with the company’s objectives and deliver value.
Applicants should follow the admissions process described in the Graduate Catalog, or at the Graduate Admissions website.
In addition, to be unconditionally admitted to the Communication Studies department, an applicant must have:
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate university work.
- A written statement of educational and professional goals addressing how the Communication Studies M.A. program will help achieve those goals. (500 words)
International students and applicants who have earned a degree from a non-English institution must provide proof of English proficiency as follows: minimum of 80 on TOEFL IBT (or 550 paper-based); IELTS 6.5.
Provisional Admission
The Communication Studies program may admit applicants provisionally who have an undergraduate degree GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 on a 4.0 scale. Students admitted provisionally must attain a 3.0 GPA their first semester in the program or be academically dismissed.
Students admitted provisionally will not be eligible for a teaching assistantship their first semester in the program.