Communication Master of Science Degree
Blend research and communication skills to prepare for careers in media, strategy, or doctoral studies.
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Research Areas
Overview for Communication MS
Why Pursue a Master of Science in Communication at RIT?
Future-Focused Curriculum: Develop expertise in rapidly evolving key areas of communication including use of artificial intelligence, social media, and visual communication.
Career Readiness: Attain the skills necessary to secure a rewarding position in the field of communication.
Hands-On Experience: Gain real-world career experience that sets you apart from the competition by participating in an optional co-op.
Communication in all its forms is at the center of our personal lives and professional careers. Whether it’s interpersonal or mediated communication, professional communicators need to know how to develop creative and impactful messaging to successfully engage their audiences.
Technology has changed everything about the field of communication. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are the first places people go to get breaking news. Retargeting ads, geofencing, and native advertising are influencing how to reach and connect with audiences. Add in the proliferation of big data and marketing coordinators, brand managers, and marketing executives now have access to information that impacts real-time decision-making around creative messaging, audience tracking, and the impact of an organization’s marketing investment.
The best master of science in communication will prepare you to leverage the latest in tech in the dynamic and ever-changing field of communication.
RIT's MS in communication hosts an innovative curriculum that is grounded in today’s social sciences and humanities concepts and applications. You’ll engage with our diverse and dynamic faculty of accomplished communication researchers and practitioners, who will teach you how to research a communication challenge, create compelling messages, and analyze media content and audience engagement.
RIT’s Master of Science in Communication
With communication courses spanning artificial intelligence, digital storytelling, digital advertising, social media analytics, and strategic communication, RIT’s communication master’s prepares you to excel in the ever-changing fields of communication, public relations, marketing, and branding. You’ll learn how to leverage technology to reach and engage audiences, craft compelling messages that stand out, analyze media content, and understand how analytics and big data drive smart decision-making. You’ll become an effective content, brand, or marketing manager; social media strategist; or PR/communication officer who can deliver the results an organization is looking for. If pursuing a doctoral degree is a future career aspiration, RIT’s program will help you grow into an accomplished researcher as you develop an in-depth understanding of the communication field.
Why Get Your Master's Degree in Communication from RIT?
RIT is known for creativity and innovation. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked RIT 50th on the list of “Most Innovative Schools” for 2021. What does this mean for you as a communication professional?
It means unprecedented access to vast resources in technology and innovation that can only be found at RIT. Diverse and dynamic faculty, comprised of accomplished communication researchers and practitioners, adds depth and real-world insight to your courses. Access to classes from across the university allows you to differentiate yourself by pairing your communication master’s degree with elective courses in marketing, analytics, information technology, new media, management, design thinking, data analytics, and more. Smart classrooms, makerspaces, and an entrepreneurial ecosystem are designed for you to connect, share, and develop your ideas. All of this is designed for you to have an outstanding academic experience through hands-on learning and real-world application of knowledge. You’ll graduate with a degree and the experience needed to stand out in a competitive job market.
Careers in Communication
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in communication fields are expected to grow by seven percent over the next ten years. Communications professionals with graduate degrees earn an average salary of $86,433.
Types of jobs in communication vary depending on what kind of work interests you most. Graduates of RIT’s master’s degree in communications hold positions as:
- Marketing Specialist
- Communication Coordinator
- Account Coordinator
- Communication Assistant
- Digital Marketing and Communication Analyst
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Customer Sales Director
- Marketing Analyst
- Technical Writer
Relevant, Future-Focused Research
The communication MS offers research opportunities in timely, urgent areas affecting today’s communication and marketing professionals, including the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, social media, visual communication, health communication, and civic engagement.
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Discover how graduate study at RIT can help further your career objectives.
Virtual Admissions Webinars | September 17 - October 9
Virtual Academic Sessions | October 21 - October 30
On-Campus Open House | November 20
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Account Executive (for marketing, communication, or advertising firm) | Campaign Manager | Content Producer |
| Communication Manager | Customer Sales Director | Digital Marketing and Communication Analyst |
| Digital Marketing Manager | Director of Development | Internal Communication Director |
| Marketing Analyst | Marketing Director | Organizational/Internal Communication Manager |
| Political Communication Strategist | Social Media Strategist | Senior Copywriter |
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. A liberal arts co-op provides hands-on experience that enables you to apply your knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between course work and real-world applications.
Cooperative education is strongly encouraged for graduate students in the communication master’s degree.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Jess Francis '12
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan – Institute for Social Research
Read More about Jess Francis '12 -
Thaarika Charumathy Seetharaman '18
One thing I greatly appreciated about my graduate studies experience in the Communication MS at RIT is the close, family-like atmosphere in the program. Students and faculty alike represented...
Read More about Thaarika Charumathy Seetharaman '18 -
Mike Horning '06
Associate Professor of Multimedia Journalism, Virginia Tech School of Communication
Read More about Mike Horning '06 -
Lauren DePoint '18
Market Research Analyst, Harris Insights and Analytics
Read More about Lauren DePoint '18 -
Congxi Wang '18
Graduate Student, Wagner School of Public Service at New York University (NYU)
Read More about Congxi Wang '18 -
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Communication MS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
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Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑time | Fall or Spring | Fall - February 15 priority deadline, rolling thereafter; Spring - rolling | No |
| Part‑time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Communication MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Writing samples are optional.
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
Duolingo (DET): 130
IELTS: 6.5
PTE Academic: 60
TOEFL: 88
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
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