Girard School of Business
Winston School of Education and Social Policy
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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.
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Our communication graduate program prepares students 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 degree prepares students to be versatile, skilled, and strategic communicators 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 students from the time they 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 students’ technical, creative, professional, and strategic communication skills.
With fellowship opportunities on campus and at external sites, students can receive tuition discounts, boost their resumes, build their portfolios, and expand their 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 for students to earn 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.
Students graduate with robust resumes and portfolios. 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. The master’s degree will help graduates be qualified for more jobs and to ideally advance more quickly in their chosen field.
Employers’ need for skilled professional communicators is high. 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%.
Applicants must have a degree in a liberal arts, art, or humanities discipline, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Applicants will 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. Applicants with under a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA should address any unique circumstances in their statement of purpose that will show preparedness for graduate-level work.
There is no fee to apply, 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.”
― Lisa Perks, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Communication and Media
Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at graduate@merrimack.edu.
Communication fellowships can reduce your tuition by 50 percent or more. Scholarships can provide additional support to limit your expenses and debt burden.
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