Master of Arts in Communication

The Diederich College of Communication’s Master of Arts program equips you to make a difference in your own life and in society as a whole. Your graduate adviser helps you tailor your course of study and works with you throughout your program.

You'll complete a 9-credit Common Core, plus credits in your area of specialization and electives. Students can take electives in various areas in communication or take courses from other graduate programs at Marquette. Thesis track students complete 30 hours total; professional track students complete 36 hours total.

Choice of Specializations

  • Communication Professions and Society
  • Digital Communication Strategies

Learn more about earning a Master of Arts degree in Communication

Master of Arts in Corporate Communication

The Graduate School of Management, offers an interdisciplinary MA in Corporate Communication that combines public relations fundamentals, communication theory and advanced business education. Our multi-discipline curriculum prepares you for executive-level functions and the training to handle complex communication issues. You can get all the details of our unique program on the Graduate School of Management's website.

 

Interdisciplinary and Joint-Degree Opportunities

Interdisciplinary Ph.D.

This doctorate program gives you the chance to create an academic program that cuts across traditional disciplines. Instead of being supported by one department, school or college, your program is administered by a faculty committee.View guidelines for Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program


Joint M.A. Communication and Political Science or International Affairs

Study politics and communication. Earn two degrees.

The College of Communication and the Department of Political Science offer a joint study program leading to a master's degree in Communication and a master's degree in Political Science or International Affairs.

You can earn both degrees in less time than pursuing them separately because you count nine credits in each program toward the requirements of the other program. The joint program reduces total credit hours for the two degrees by 18 hours.

You must submit separate applications, including two sets of required documentation, to the Graduate School for admission to both programs. Acceptance to one program does not guarantee acceptance to the other.

Typically, joint degree students complete the core communication courses and substitute political science or international affairs courses for specialization courses or electives. Consult with the associate dean for Graduate Studies and Research for specifics.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the M.A. program, graduates are able to:

  • Apply research-based, theory-informed knowledge to the identification and solution of real-life issues in the field and understands the ethical implications of communication research.
  • Integrate knowledge from theory, methods, and ethics from the discipline of communications to their particular specialization area.

After completing the certificate program, graduates are able to:

  • Express ideas through narrative storytelling using digital media that are appropriate for different forms of content within the various professions in communication.
  • Articulate the relationship between narrative structure and meaning of the message for the professional fields of communication.