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Our master’s degree in communication nurtures the digital and strategic communication skills that will make you an asset in a variety of organizations, from large for-profit media companies to mission-driven non-profits.
Learn about the Merrimack College community, application process, financial aid, your program's curriculum, professional opportunities, fellowships and more!
Our communication master’s program provides you with the skills to work in professional communications, from digital media content creation and campaign design to public relations and crisis communications, as well as related fields. Coursework emphasizes strategic communication and digital media.
Our master’s in communication degree prepares you to be a versatile, skilled and strategic communicator through a variety of platforms. Employers are looking for these skills. According to the 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in public relations, marketing, and advertising is projected to grow faster than average in the next 10 years.
Merrimack College’s MA in Communication features dedicated faculty and staff who are available to help you from the time you consider enrolling all the way through the finish line of graduation. Our faculty and staff include social media expert Kilhoe “Miranda” Na, emerging media scholar Melissa “Mish” Zimdars, health communication specialist Andrew Tollison, and professional fellowship advisor Samantha Bruno. We’re here to nurture your technical, creative, professional and strategic communication skills.
With a dozen fellowship opportunities on campus, you can receive full- or half-tuition discounts, boost your resume, build your portfolio and expand your networks all at once. These competitive awards provide supervised work experience that put communication principles into practice. Dean scholarships and alumni scholarships are also available offering a high-quality degree for excellent value.
Merrimack’s Master of Arts in Communication degree offers a solid foundation in communication theories that shape communication analysis and strategy. Additionally, coursework incorporates various platforms, technologies, and tools to execute a communication strategy.
You will graduate with a robust resume and portfolio. We offer the following resources and opportunities:
Our graduates are well-equipped for careers in public relations, nonprofit management, advertising, event planning, multimedia production, marketing, social media marketing/management, development, corporate communication, and community relations, among others. Our graduate degree in communications will help you qualify for more jobs and advance more quickly in your chosen field.
Master’s in communications jobs are on the rise as employers seek out skilled professional communicators. According to the 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in public relations, marketing, and advertising is projected to grow 6-7%, which is faster than average in the next 10 years. Fundraising managers are expected to grow at 9%, a rate much faster than average. Social and community service managers expect even greater growth, at 17%.
You must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. We require that you submit a recommendation letter from a professor or professional outside of the Merrimack Communication and Media department, a writing sample from a previous course or work project (research paper, opinion piece, newsletter article, press release, market analysis paper, etc.), a statement of purpose, and an undergraduate transcript. If you have under a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA, please address any unique circumstances in your statement of purpose that will show your preparedness for graduate-level work.
There is no fee to apply to the MA in communication and there is no GRE requirement. However, we encourage you to submit test scores if you feel they will support or enhance your academic background.
“Our department prepared the Masters in Communication program very carefully, by looking at market analysis, assessing student interest, and analyzing job market data. We are proud to launch this program that offers students a solid foundation in communication theory while enhancing their crucial skills in strategic communication and digital media.”
Check out this exciting episode of Grad Chat, where we shine a spotlight on Connor Powell, a standout alumna who successfully earned a Master of Arts in Communication. Post-graduation, Connor kicked off his career with the Boston Bruins. In this interview, he shares insights into how his program and fellowship experience equipped him for his current role, what it was like to be in the world of professional sports and how Merrimack is a supportive community fostered by amazing professors and intimate class sizes.
Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at graduate@merrimack.edu.
Communication fellowships can reduce your tuition by 50 or 100 percent. Scholarships can provide additional support to limit your expenses and debt burden.
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The Student Government Association’s Academic Affairs Committee (SGA) worked with faculty and the Office of the Provost to include American Sign Language (ASL) as part of the College’s foreign language requirement starting in spring 2024.
