Master of Arts in Public Communication

With public communications growing at a faster rate than any other occupation, there is a great demand for professionals trained to confront today’s social challenges. Public communication graduates are highly sought-after in the athletic, corporate, health and public affairs/political arenas.

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Public Communication?

SU’s graduate program in public communication equips you with the skills to analyze, design and implement innovative and diverse solutions to contemporary social challenges. You will be prepared for work in public communication sectors in one of four disciplinary interest areas:

Athletic
Corporate
Health
Public affairs and political

Through a combination of research-and industry-focused mentoring, real-life engagement, in-depth scholarly discussions and practical training, this M.A. program prepares the next generation of communication professionals and scholars to enter the post-pandemic world as both thoughtful scholars and innovative industry leaders.

Why Choose a Master’s in Public Communication at Salisbury University?

Drawing upon the knowledge and experience of award-winning faculty and scholars, SU’s Master of Arts in Public Communication Program allows you to customize your academic pathway to degree completion. Our small class sizes allow for one-on-one mentorship with faculty experts, who are passionate about helping you reach your career goals.

Through a rigorous examination of the philosophical and theoretical foundations of communication theory, you will gain proficiency and insight in the digital persuasion skills necessary to design strategic campaigns, produce multimedia products, manage social networks, understand audience motivations, and shape public engagements and behaviors. You will learn to conduct media research, examine legal issues that impact the industry, study organizational behavior, employ analytics to understand digital engagement and glean audience insights into various communication fields.

With the guidance of a graduate director, you can customize a program that reflects your professional goals.

Application Deadlines
- Fall deadline: June 1
- Spring deadline: October 1
Accelerated Program
What is an Accelerated Graduate Program?

An accelerated bachelor's to master's program is an articulated curriculum combining an existing undergraduate program and an existing master's program, both at Salisbury University.

Who can apply for the accelerated master’s option in Public Communication ?
- Undergraduate Communication majors and minors in their junior year (having completed 60-89 credits)
- Transfer Communication majors and minors who have completed at least 12 credit hours at Salisbury University
- Undergraduate major and minors students with a cumulative SU GPA of 3.0
Program Details:
- Up to nine units of graduate work (with a grade of B or better) can be counted toward the undergraduate degree and later applied to the master's degree.
- The credits to be double counted will be applicable to the graduate program after the student receives the bachelor's degree and matriculates into the graduate program.
- Nine credits of graduate-level courses (500-level and above) are the maximum number of credits to be double counted.
- The nine credits to be double counted must be formally approved by the department chair and the graduate program director to fulfill degree requirements in both the undergraduate and master’s programs.
- Once approved for the accelerated master’s program, students must be continuously enrolled at Salisbury University during their undergraduate and graduate careers. Undergraduate students must enroll in both fall and spring semesters and graduate students must follow the defined 1-year master’s curriculum.
- To stay enrolled in the accelerated master’s program, students must m aintain a 3.0 undergraduate GPA as well as a 3.00 GPA or better in their master’s coursework.
- Students can only earn one master’s degree through an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program.
- The accelerated master’s designation will be canceled if the student withdraws from the graduate program before completing the master's degree.
What jobs can I get with an MA in Public Communication?

Politics:
- Communications Director
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Press Secretary/Spokesperson
- Campaign Manager
Healthcare:
- Senior Strategic Communication Specialist
- Community Relations Director/Spokesperson
- Communications Analyst
- Risk Communications Manager
Athletics:
- Sports Information Director
- Team Media Relations Liaison
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Media Administrator
Corporate and Non-Profit:
- Executive Director of Public Relations
- Event Planner/Event Coordinator
- Marketing and Fundraising Director
- Corporate Spokesperson
Questions? Contact the Communication Department’s Graduate Director at CommunicationDepartment@salisbury.edu.

Public Communication Master’s Tracks & Admission Requirements

Our master’s in public communication offers four unique tracks to help you gain expertise in the area where you want to make a difference.

For details on admission, program policies as well as the requirements for each of the Master’s in Public Communication Program’s tracks, visit the University catalog:

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Public Communication Faculty with Real-World Experience

Our faculty are active scholars in their fields who foster students’ abilities to think critically, and communicate creatively and effectively.

Learn More About Our Master’s in Public Communication

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this an online program?
Since this is a hands-on program, most of our classes are in-person during times that suit a working student’s life. Access to our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities allows you to avoid purchasing expensive equipment and resources to earn your graduate degree.

Do I need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
No. GRE scores are helpful but not required.

How large are your graduate cohorts?
We keep each graduate cohort small to allow for individual mentoring and to allow you to customize a program to suit your needs.

Can I work toward a master’s degree while completing my undergraduate degree?
Yes. The Communication Department offers an accelerated master’s program for the MA in Public Communication. This allows Communication majors and minors to take up to nine credit hours of our graduate courses their senior year that count for both their undergraduate degree and their MA in Public Communication degree. The accelerated master’s program provides the opportunity to complete a Master of Arts in Public Communication degree in one calendar year. To learn more about the accelerated master’s program visit the section on this page.

Are there scholarships or Fellowships available?
Salisbury University offers competitive fellowships, graduate assistantships, and local, state, national, and international scholarships. Visit the Office of Graduate Studies for a list of these.

How much does it cost?
The Office of Graduate Studies provides updated Tuition and Fee Schedules to assist students in planning their graduate career finances.

Can I focus my studies on a particular type of industry?
Students choose one of four of these concentrations: Corporate, Political, Athletic, and Health Communication. Students customize their academic experience with the help of the Graduate Director based on each student’s career objectives.

How do I apply?
Simply click the “Request Information” button on this website. Deadlines for admission are 1 June for a Summer or Fall start and 1 October to join our Spring cohort.
Our Department and Faculty
Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships enhance student educational objectives by providing practicum-based experiences, including the development and application of teaching, conducting research and other skills, while advancing the mission of the University.

Learn More about Graduate Assistantships