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Graduate Mass Communication Program

The Master of Science degree in Mass Communication is designed for students who want to obtain a background in general communication skills while concentrating in one of two areas: applied communication research or communication studies. These concentrations prepare students either for a variety of positions in media-related professions or for further advanced study.

The Master of Science degree requirements include both professional and academic courses. Professionally oriented courses help students develop specific marketable skills. The academic courses help them understand communication theory, research, and law. Each of these areas provides an important managerial background in a media-related profession. The concentrations enable students to become familiar with the nature and functions of specific communication industries. Students also develop a broad knowledge of the history and structure of media as well as the ability to assess and think critically about future trends that may influence their careers.

For complete course descriptions, see the COM bulletin.

Study Abroad: London Internship Program

Graduate students in Public Relations, Advertising, Mass Communication and Journalism, or the joint-degree program with International Relations, can opt to finish earlier by taking their third semester in London. Careful planning from the beginning is required.

The London Internship Program provides 16 elective credits. Courses include International Media and Comparative Political Systems during the first half of the summer and an internship and generally International Marketing Communication during the second half. Each is a 4-credit course.

Graduate Internships

Taking a graduate internship in any of the major areas of concentration is recommended as it provides valuable experience and networking opportunities. Registering for COM CM 809: Graduate Internship may allow you to receive course credit for an internship you secure.

Applied Communication Research Concentration

The concentration in applied communication research prepares students to assess client needs and solve client problems using polls, surveys, focus groups, and other research strategies. The skills learned in this concentration prepare the student for a position as a research analyst or research manager in such fields as advertising/marketing, public relations, political campaigning, health communication, and international communication. It combines a command of applied research designs, techniques, and writing skills with a background in one or more major professional fields. This area of occupational specialization offers many lucrative entry-level opportunities and excellent opportunities for advancement. The concentration also provides a research and theory background for those preparing for more advanced study in communication.

Curriculum

Applied Communication Research students will complete 7 required courses (listed below) and 5 electives.

  • COM CM 704 Contemporary Mass Media
  • COM CM 707 Writing for Media Professionals
    Or
    COM CM 705 Writing for International Students
  • COM CM 710 Communication Theory
  • COM CM 722 Communication Research
  • COM CM 723 Advanced Communication Research (COM CM 722)
  • COM CM 724 Sampling Design and Measurement Techniques (consent of instructor)
  • COM CM 824 Technical Writing for Communication Research (COM CM 722 and CM 723 and CM 724)
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Communication Studies Concentration

Download the concentration sheet for a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication.

The concentration in communication studies is recommended for those who wish to develop their command of general communication strategies and skills - written, oral, and computer-mediated - but who do not want to prepare specifically for the fields of advertising, public relations, or applied research.

General communication strategies and skills are applicable to a variety of professional roles in a number of settings. Individuals who are proficient in these strategies and skills serve as managers in various kinds of organizations, such as nonprofit groups, government agencies, publishing houses, and other commercial, educational, or industrial settings. The concentration also provides a suitable background for those who wish to go on for a more advanced degree in communication. For those wishing a strong foundation in computer-mediated communication, selections from the last four courses listed below are especially recommended.

Curriculum

A degree Communication Studies requires that students take 6 required courses (listed below), 5 electives and 1 course from the list of concentration electives:

  • COM CM 704 Contemporary Mass Media
  • COM CM 707 Writing for Media Professionals
    Or
    COM CM 705 Writing for International Students
  • COM CM 710 Communication Theory
  • COM CM 713 Law of Communication
  • COM CM 714 Oral Presentations
  • COM CM 750 Advanced Writing for Media Professionals (COM CM 707)

Concentration Electives:

  • COM CM 508 Video Production for Marketing Communication
  • COM CM 510 Computers in Communication
  • COM CM 514 New Communication Technologies
  • COM CM 519 Interactive Marketing Communication
    (COM CM 708 or CM 730)
  • COM CM 523 Design and Interactive Experiences (COM CM 510)
  • COM CM 534 Communication Strategies in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
  • COM CM 555 Writing for Multimedia (COM CM 707)
  • COM CM 701 Principles and Practices of Public Relations
  • COM CM 706 Organizational Communication
  • COM CM 708 Principles and Practices of Advertising
  • COM CM 730 Marketing Communication
  • COM CM 809 Graduate Internship
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JD/MS Dual Degree in Mass Communication

The Department of Mass Communication, Advertising &Public Relations and the Boston University Law School provide a dual-degree program. Students who recognize the added benefits of special training in the technological, marketing and legal changes that are occurring so rapidly today find this a great opportunity to earn a Law Degree and a Master's degree in Mass Communication in about three-and-a-half years, taking all the required courses from both institutions. If you want to do this unique and challenging program, you must be accepted by our College and by the Law School. Details on course requirements and how to apply are in our College catalog. Should you have further questions, you may contact Professor Barton Carter, who is a lawyer, Chairman of our department, and a member of the Law faculty. Rather appropriately, his e-mail address is comlaw@bu.edu.

Because of the fast-paced change in law due to the impact of new communications technologies and media, there are ever-growing opportunities for jobs in law firms and in the communications industry that put you in high demand due to your unique training in this dual degree program.

The growth of new communication technologies has created a need for lawyers with special training in the technological, marketing, and legal changes brought about by a wide spectrum of new media. Recognizing the dramatic impact of these changes, the School of Law and the College of Communication at Boston University offer a dual-degree program that allows the student to acquire a law degree and a master's degree in mass communication (normally a three-year plus a year-and-a-half sequence) in an accelerated program of seven semesters.

It is expected that many graduates of the program will work as in-house counsel for the new communication technologies companies. Others will serve with government agencies concerned with communications law, or with law firms practicing in that field. This program also provides a solid grounding for future journalists who wish to report on legal affairs.

Curriculum

Each student in the dual-degree program takes eight courses in the College of Communication. The four courses listed below are required and must be augmented by four elective courses.

  • COM CM 514 New Communication Technologies
  • COM CM 704 Contemporary Mass Media
  • COM CM 707 Writing for Media Professionals
  • COM CM 510 Computers in Communication
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Joint Degree in International Relations & International Communication

Our department also works in conjunction with the Department of International Relations to provide a similarly rigorous joint degree in International Relations and International Communication. Students generally plan to take core, required courses from both programs, resulting in eight from each side over a four-semester period. Some students opt to do part of the program by participating in the COM-sponsored Summer London Internship Program, which provides 16 credits and extremely valuable foreign experiences with British and other guest lecturers, and work experience in a British-run firm in the latter half of the summer. The degree program is administered by the International Relations Department, and applications should be directed to that Department (617-353-2696), not the College of Communication. Should you have further questions about this program, you may contact IR Graduate Program Administrator Michael Williams irgrad@bu.edu.

Because so many companies in the various fields of communication and in most other industries now have global partnerships, interests and audiences,opting for this joint degree make you much more versatile and valuable than your counterparts who focus in only one of these two often inter-related disciplines. Having language skills, cultural sensitivities, historical and political acumen and a well-honed ability to understand international and transnational organizations, events and issues are valuable assets in our increasingly interconnected global society. This rigorous program helps you achieve all that and more, and trains you for that unknown future that awaits us all.

For more information, see the Department of International Relations.

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