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You may have toyed with the idea of getting a master’s degree in the communication sector. It’s a tough job market out there, so any extra edge you could get on your resume would be a great thing, right?
Before you sign up for two years of school, it’s important to make sure that getting an MA in communications is the best move for you.
Reasons to Pursue a Masters in Communication
Some of the reasons why you may consider going for a Masters in Communication are as follows:
To acquire specific communications expertise
Many students pursue a master’s in communications, hoping it will give them a competitive advantage since a graduate degree can help you stand out among your peers by acquiring new skills and experiences.
However, there are other ways to acquire new expertise without going back to graduate school. Asking to take on projects outside your expertise, seeking out mentors, and even volunteering can also help you gain new skills.
Besides, make sure to look carefully at the curricular emphases of the programs you’re interested in.
To enhance your research and presentation skills
There are a couple of key skills an MA in communications is uniquely designed to help you gain, namely, research, writing, and presenting skills.
Most communications graduate programs will require you to complete some form of original research project.
Through which you will therefore learn how to develop a research question, investigate that question by collecting relevant data, and articulate your findings.
If your career will involve researching your industry’s practices or programs and sharing your findings, an MA in communications is the perfect experience.
To learn to write effectively for multiple audiences
In order to complete your thesis, you’re going to have to learn to write for both specialists and lay audiences.
Theses are written for other academics in a given field, but you’ll also learn to translate your research into nontechnical terms to apply for grants, awards, or even just to write home about what you’re working on.
Popular Masters in Communication Degrees
Communication courses are there to assist in building a unique skill set that will also open up a wide variety of employment opportunities in the future.
This program’s skills are so highly sought-after in today’s employment market, allowing students to choose from a number of career choices.
Some of the programs that are in high demand in today’s market include, but are not limited to, the following:
10 Best Universities for Masters in Communication
Below are the best universities for masters in communication.
1. University of Amsterdam
Becoming a student at the University of Amsterdam as well as any other Dutch university is relatively easy; the hard part is staying.
Most courses, such as the MSc in Law, Masters in Communication, and MSc in Medicine, are harder and have more requirements, such as admission exams, but everybody gets a chance.
2. University of Stanford
Stanford University’s acceptance rate hit an all-time low for the class of 2020, with 4.69% of applicants accepted into the prestigious California-based school.
That means Stanford is therefore the most selective college in the US, beating out all Ivy League institutions.
3. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism is one of the leading journalism schools in the United States.
Located in Berkeley, UC has a specific way to calculate the grade point average (GPA) it requires for admission.
California applicants must earn at least 3.0 GPA, and nonresidents must earn a minimum 3.4 GPA to meet this requirement.
4. University of Texas, Austin
The Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the country’s top communication schools. It provides a diverse range of programs in communication and media.
The University of Texas at Austin is a daring and ambitious leader, providing world-class education and exploration tools to more than 51,000 students.
The University is also recognized as one of the world’s leading universities, with diverse contributions to research, higher education, business, the arts, communication, and other fields. The average GPA at UT Austin is 3.83.
5. Michigan State University
Communication Studies is one of the departments and programs offered by the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA).
As a result, it has been included on the list of universities that provide master’s degrees in communication.
Despite being rated 83rd among national universities, Michigan State University has a 65.7% white undergraduate and graduate student population.
In addition, 6.83% are black or African American, and 5.16% are Asian. Two or More Races: 2.83%; Native American or Alaska Native: 0.232%; and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders: 0.108%.
6. University of South California (USC)
The University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism is organized into two schools: communication and journalism. It is one of the greatest universities for obtaining a master’s degree in communication.
While the University of Southern California is situated in Los Angeles, it is also a global university and an international education leader.
The University of Southern California (USC) is the state’s oldest private research university, and it is well-known for its prestigious creative disciplines, particularly film.
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Established in 1861, MIT has since played a key role in the development of modern technology and science and has been ranked among the top academic institutions in the world.
8. University of North Carolina
UNC-Chapel Hill is a global leader known for its innovative teaching and ground-breaking research.
Carolina offers a variety of courses and programs in communication to prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.
9. Northwestern University
Northwestern University School of Communication is one of Northwestern University’s professional schools, situated in Evanston, Illinois, USA.
The School of Communication offers undergraduate and graduate studies in a variety of communication, media, and arts-related subjects.
Journalism, radio/television/film, communication studies, performance studies, and other related fields are also likely to be represented in the Northwestern University School of Communication.
Northwestern University is well-known for its academics, research achievements, and overall program quality.
10. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication is a famous institution committed to the study of communication and its impact on society.
The Annenberg School of Communication, founded in 1958 by communication scholar and educator Everett Rogers, has always remained at the forefront of communication research, teaching, and public service.
The University of Pennsylvania, also known as Penn, is a famous Ivy League university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Penn was created in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States’ founding fathers. Penn is well-known for its illustrious history, academic prowess, and dedication to innovation.
