Master of Arts in Communication
The Communication MA degree program is undergoing revision. We will be unable to accept program applications until 2025.
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ARCHIVED DESCRIPTION
The Master of Arts degree in Communication is a dynamic, flexible program in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Sudents join an energetic community of active scholars engaged in a wide range of research interests. You will learn foundational approaches to theory, criticism, research, and ethics in communication that prepare students for the public and professional spheres, on local, national, and international levels. With a faculty advisor, you will construct a program of interest to you with a solid foundation in communication theory and research.
In addition to dedicated professors recognized as leaders in the field and an impressive well-accomplished alumni community, there are several incentives to apply:
- No GRE required
- Evening classes to accommodate work schedules
- Special consideration granted for relevant professional experience
- Undergraduate degrees in related fields are acceptable preparation
- Completion options adaptable to your goals
- Small class sizes, a supportive community, more contact with professors and classmates
- Flexible time to completion
- For graduates of our own BA in Communication program, a streamlined application process
We welcome and encourage students of all undergraduate backgrounds to consider pursuing our Master’s degree in Communication. Students from many different academic backgrounds have succeeded in the program, including Art, Theater, History, Sociology, Anthropology, English, Multimedia Arts, Social Work, Hospitality, and more.
The program consists of 31 units (8 classes) including core courses, graduate elective seminars, and independent study courses. The culminating experience is a thesis, project, or comprehensive exam. Your experience will include specialized seminars on a variety of phenomena and areas of study including:
- Social Media
- Cultural Studies
- Afrofuturism
- Strategic Communication
- Media Studies
- Celebrity and Fandom
- Media Meme Studies
- Rhetoric
- Organizational Communication
- Political Communication
- Content and Audience analysis
- Viral Communication
Application Deadlines
New students are admitted in Fall and Spring semesters. Application deadlines are:
Starting Semester |
Application Submission Period |
Notification Date |
Fall |
Early review, Oct. 1 to Feb. 25 |
March 25 |
Fall |
Regular review, Feb. 26 to May 1 |
June 1 |
Spring |
Aug. 1 to Nov. 1 (no early review) |
December 1 |
Missed the deadline? Not sure if it's the right program for you? You can still take a class through . Just attend the first class and you can be added with the instructor's permission for the semester without having to submit a formal application. Credit for the class can transferred towards your degree upon successful application and admission to the program. More information here