Master of Science in Communication
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Key Information
Campus location
Rochester, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
USD 41,424 / per year
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
Introduction
Communication and the technologies for message creation and dissemination are at the center of dramatic economic, social, and cultural changes occurring as a result of technological development and global connectedness. The master of science degree in communication and media technologies is an advanced interdisciplinary program combining liberal arts courses in communication with course work in an applied or professional program. Students will become adept at the analysis of communication problems, the development of solutions, and the creation of messages as a result of their combined training in the social sciences, humanities, and applied technologies.
Communication courses rooted in the humanities and social sciences provide students with the opportunity to gain a broad, historical understanding of issues in communication, including the ethical, legal, and social dimensions. Additional courses give students advanced guidance in the creation of written and visual message content. Courses in applied technologies or professional programs provide opportunities for implementation and application. The required thesis combines knowledge, practice, original research, and application under the guidance of a graduate advisement committee.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 5% of tuition all the way up to full tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
RIT awards more than $30 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Our median scholarship amount is around 30% of tuition or $13,000. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op: cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study: graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available each year, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
Curriculum
The degree requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate course work. The program consists of five required courses, three communication electives, three applied professional or technical courses, and either a thesis, project, or a comprehensive exam.
Graduate committee
Full-time students create a graduate advisement committee by the end of their first semester of study. The committee is comprised of at least one faculty member from the department of communication and one faculty member from outside the department. The outside member should have a terminal degree. The committee advises and guides the student's elective course selection and course sequencing. With the guidance and approval of the graduate advising committee, students design and conduct a thesis or project appropriate to their course of study and their career goals.
Thesis/Project
A thesis or project is an option for all students in the program. The topic should complement the student's academic graduate interests and scholarly training. Topic selection and methods for implementing the thesis/project occur in consultation with the student's graduate advisement committee.
Comprehensive examinations
Comprehensive examinations may be taken in lieu of a thesis or project. Students are eligible to take these examinations after all course work has been completed. The graduate committee chooses the exam committee members from two areas: theory and methods. The student selects a specialty area within the communication elective courses with the consent of the faculty member who taught the course, and that faculty member will administer and grade the exam question(s). Specialization areas include the following: electronic, visual, international, strategic, and education. Exams take place at two times: intersession and in June. If students fail any portion of the exam, they receive one opportunity for a rewrite.
Communication and Media Technologies, MS degree, typical course sequence
- COMM-700 Survey of Media Technologies
- COMM-702 Communication Theories
- COMM-703 Research Methods in Communication
- COMM-704 Media Law and Ethics
- COMM-720 Thesis Preparation Seminar
- Communication Electives
- Professional Core
Choose one of the following:
- COMM-800 Communication Thesis/Project
- COMM-801 Comprehensive Exam, plus two additional courses*
*Courses may be professional core courses, communication electives, or a combination of both.
Career Opportunities
Industries
- Internet and Software
- Health Care
- Food and Beverage
- Non-Profit
- Transportation and Logistics
- Higher Education
Typical Job Titles
- Marketing Specialist
- Marketing Manager
- Communications Coordinator
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Account Coordinator
- Customer Sales Director
- Communication Assistant
- Marketing Analyst
- Digital Marketing and Communications Analyst
- Technical Writer
Students are prepared to pursue careers as communication experts in commerce, industry, education, entertainment, and government, as well as for graduate work toward a doctoral degree.
English Language Requirements
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