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There are currently nine schools in New Jersey that offer a total of 12 master’s in communication programs. Of these 12 programs, eight are campus-based programs and four are online master’s in communication programs. Students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in communication in New Jersey have a wide variety of specializations to choose from, ranging from interpersonal communication and public relations to organizational communication and strategic communication and leadership.
All the schools listed on this page are non-profit institutions of higher education that have received regional accreditation through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Campus-Based Master’s in Communication Programs in New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham Campus’ Department of Communication Studies, in Madison, offers a Master of Arts in Communication with subject areas in Cultural Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Public Relations. Students take core classes in the principles and practices of communication, group communication and leadership, research methods for communication, professional writing and editing, and presentation methods. Students then take classes according to their areas of interest, such as classes in communication and culture, social change through communication, narrative communication, crisis communication, strategic communication, communication technology, and public relations for the modern organization. Students also complete a capstone course, during which they apply their knowledge of communication theory to a practical project that has direct applications to their workplace or another organizational setting.
In Union, Kean University’s School of Communication, Media & Journalism offers a Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a Concentration in Organizational Communication that teaches students how to engage with different forms of organizational, interpersonal, and leadership communication, as well as communication for social change. Students in this program take core classes in organizational communication theory, organizational culture, and quantitative or interpretive research methods. They then choose from electives that cover concepts in interpersonal communication, public relations strategy, corporate communication management, communication in negotiation, gender and communication, and digital communication. Students must also either complete a 6-credit master’s thesis or a comprehensive examination and additional elective coursework.
Monmouth University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, located in West Long Branch, offers a Master of Arts in Corporate and Public Communication that teaches students how to apply public relations communications principles to organizational, advocacy, new media, political, and international communication initiatives. Students take core classes in communication theories in professional settings, research methods in communication, the foundations of communication, and communication, culture, and community. They then take electives in areas such as professional presentations, global communication, interpersonal communication, public relations, diversity management through communication, mass media in contemporary society, strategic digital communication, organizational communication, crisis management, organizational training, political communication, and global media and new technologies. Students are also required to complete a master’s thesis or an applied project on a topic within communication that interests them.
In Lawrenceville, Rider University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Arts in Business Communication that trains students to effectively handle crisis communication situations, write effective strategic communications for organizations, incorporate multimedia elements and other technologies into their communications, and use communication as a tool for leadership and coalition-building within an organization and or within a community. Students can select from classes in corporate and persuasive communication, strategic business writing, data collection and analysis, communication and organizational culture, effective group communication. They are also required to take several economics and/or finance courses, such as classes in accounting, economic analysis, e-commerce, and project management in business settings.
The School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University, located in New Brunswick, offers a Master of Communication and Media with eight different specializations options. Students in the program can choose to pursue their degree in Public Relations, Leadership Communication, Communication and Media Studies, Strategic Organizational Communication, Digital Media, Health Communication, Communication and Media Research, or Corporate and Social Impact. Rutgers’ Master of Communication and Media program emphasizes practical skills, focusing on critical thinking, problem solving, writing, and digital advancements in the field. Courses are offered on campus and online which gives students flexibility in how they pursue their studies. Each degree track requires a total of 36 credits, including five core courses and seven electives. Coursework varies by specialization, with topics ranging from organizational communication and public relations management to health informatics and social media.
Rutgers University also offers a Master of Health Communication and Information through its School of Communication and Information. This program prepares students to work at the intersection of communication, health care practice and policy, healthcare marketing and public relations, education and information management, and health care promotion and advocacy. Students take courses that cover strategies and planning for healthcare promotion, relationship management in health care maintenance, creating and optimizing organizational structures and information flow in health care contexts, developing and implementing healthcare-specific crisis communication plans, health care advocacy through communication, and managing information resources to promote healthcare access and quality. This program offers a combination of campus, online, and hybrid courses that are held in the evenings to allow working professionals to pursue their degree. Upon graduating, students are equipped with skills to work in government, health care marketing, non-profit work, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, and academic settings.
Seton Hall University’s College of Communication and the Arts, in South Orange, offers a Master of Arts in Communication with tracks in Digital Communication and Communication Technologies, Communication in Organizations, and Public Relations. Students in this program take core classes in organizational communication, communication research, and strategies and methods for corporate relations, after which they can select electives according to their interests in strategic communication, communication technology, organizational communication, and public relations. Such classes cover international business communication, public relations theory and principles, organizational culture, advanced corporate writing, international public relations, new media, leadership communication, integrated marketing communication, training and development, new media organizations and institutions, and advanced methods in visual communication. Students are also required to complete a master’s thesis with support from their faculty advisory and committee.
William Paterson University’s Department of Communication, in Wayne, offers a Master of Arts in Professional Communication, which is a generalist program that prepares students for advanced professional roles in digital and social media, integrated marketing communication, corporate and strategic communication, and public relations. Students take required core courses in integrated communications, professional writing, and research, and can choose from electives in areas such as strategic public relations, global communication, social media communication, corporate social responsibilities, organizational communication, and the role of the press in national and international communities. Students must demonstrate their understanding of advanced communication topics and their ability to apply communication methods through a master’s project that also incorporate an internship if the student desires.
For students who live near New York and Pennsylvania, there are also programs in New York City and Philadelphia, respectively.
Online Master’s in Communication Programs in New Jersey
For students who live in the southern cities of New Jersey, such as Atlantic City or Vineland, online master’s in communication programs provide access to a graduate degree in the field of communication without the need to travel or relocate. Online programs are also a good option for students who cannot commute to campus on a weekly basis for classes due to personal or professional reasons. Currently, four schools in New Jersey offer master’s in communication programs online.
The New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark offers an online Master of Science in Professional and Technical Communication (MSPTC) program through its Department of Humanities which emphasizes research-driven problem-solving and the latest technological advancements in the field. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits, as well as design and maintain a digital portfolio of their work throughout the program. The curriculum is comprised of core courses in Advanced Professional and Technical Communication, Communication Theory and Research, Advanced Information Design, Elements of Visual Design, and Identity, Technology, and Communication, as well as an ePortfolio Capstone Seminar. A total of five electives are also required, with choices such as Proposal Writing, Professional and Technical Editing, Analyzing Social Media, Health Communications, Corporate Media and Communication, and Content Management and Information Architecture.
Georgian Court University in Lakewood offers a 100% online Master of Science in Communication & Digital Marketing through its School of Business & Digital Media. This program is designed to equip students with the creative communication skills and strategic business principles and approaches to address diverse and dynamic challenges in the communication industry. The program is comprised of a set curriculum of ten courses that cover key topics such as the principles and practices of integrated marketing communication, digital storytelling, digital brand strategy, media analytics and consumer research, campaign planning and management, media law and ethics, user-centric design, and special topics in digital marketing and communication. For their culminating experience, students synthesize what they have learned in their courses about integrated marketing communication, digital storytelling, audience analytics, user-centric design, and innovative thinking to build, present, and implement a digital communication campaign for a business partner.
Rider University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers an online Master of Arts in Business Communication program that is equivalent to the university’s campus-based M.A. in Business Communication program, with courses in areas such as persuasive corporate discourse, business presentation strategies, information gathering and analysis, group and team communication, organizational culture, e-commerce, and economic analysis. As with the campus-based program, online students of this program must complete a capstone project in business communication that utilizes numerous research and professional communication skills.
While Rutgers University’s Master of Communication and Media offers a wide range of online and hybrid courses, at this time, only three of its eight specializations can be completed entirely online. Students interested in pursuing the Digital Media, Leadership Communication, or Public Relations track entirely online can do so, with the option to attend some courses on campus if they wish. The Digital Media specialization emphasizes digital video production and social media management through courses in digital advocacy, media law and policy, and marketing communication design and critique; it is designed for journalists or other communication professionals interested in furthering their understanding of 21st century media and its role in modern society. The Leadership Communication specialization focuses on organizational culture, communication, and leadership, media and social change in a global environment, mediated communication, and persuasive advocacy. The Public Relations specialization features courses that cover key concepts in stakeholder communication and interorganizational communication, crisis communication, small group and interdepartmental communication, international public relations, and effective presentations. Like their campus-based peers, online students must complete five core courses and seven electives to graduate.
Directory of Master’s in Communication Programs in New Jersey
| Online Master's in Communication Programs that Accept Students from New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | Online Master of Arts in Communication with Concentrations in Public and Media Relations, Political Communication, Health Communication, Digital Communication, and Corporate and Non-Profit Communication | Program Website |
| University of Delaware | Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication with Optional Concentrations in Public Relations or Digital and Social Media | Program Website |
| Pace University | Online Master of Arts in Communications and Digital Media with Optional Concentrations in Digital Filmmaking and Media Production, and Social Media and Public Relations | Program Website |
| Syracuse University | Online Master of Science in Communications with Specializations in Strategic Communications, Journalism Innovation, and Media Management | Program Website |
| Georgetown University | Online Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations & Corporate Communications | Program Website |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online Master of Arts in Communication with Optional Concentrations in New Media & Marketing, and Public Relations | Program Website |
All Master’s in Communication Programs in New Jersey
Campus programs, 
Campus/Hybrid programs, 
Online programs (fully online to 2 campus visits per year), Hybrid-Online programs (3 to ~5 campus visits per year)
