Contents
There are currently seven schools in New Jersey that offer a total of nine master’s in communication programs. Of these nine programs, seven are campus-based programs and two 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 Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
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 on the principles and practices of communication, group communication and leadership, research methods for communication, professional writing and editing, presentation methods, and corporate communication. Students then take classes according to their areas of interest, such as classes in communication and culture, social change through communication, international communication and culture, globalized 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 and practice to a professional 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, international business communication, media advertising, 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.
| 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 |
| Syracuse University | Online Master of Science in Communications with Specializations in Strategic Communications, Journalism Innovation, and Media Management | 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 |
| 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 |
| Wake Forest University | Online Master of Communications | Program Website |
Monmouth University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, located in West Long Branch, offers a Master of Arts in Communication with concentrations in Interactive Digital Media, and Strategic Public Relations and Social Media. Students of the Interactive Digital Media concentration take core courses in multimedia message construction, interactive media theory, business analytics and research, and interactive digital media strategies. Students of the Public Relations and Social Media concentration take core courses in professional communication theories and research methods, public relations principles, integrated digital marketing, and advanced digital public relations strategies. From there, students of both concentrations can take electives in areas such as professional presentations, global communication, interpersonal communication, interactive storytelling, 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. While students of the Strategic Public Relations and Social Media concentration can complete a master’s thesis or an applied professional project for their final graduation requirement, students of the Interactive Digital Media concentration must create a prototype for an interactive media product or service.
The School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University, located in New Brunswick, offers a Master of Communication and Media with seven different specializations options: Public Relations; Communication and Media Studies; Strategic Organizational and Leadership Communication; Digital Media; Health Communication; Communication and Media Research; and Corporate Purpose and Social Impact. Courses are offered on campus and online, which gives students flexibility in how they pursue their studies (the Digital Media specialization is also offered fully online; for more details, see the online section below. 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 organizational leadership, digital advocacy, globalized media and social change, patient-provider communication, social media tactics and analytics, innovative digital media, and social marketing for public health. Students also have the option to fulfill an internship or study abroad experience for course credit, with advisor approval.
Rutgers University also offers a Master of Information – Health Information through its School of Communication and Information. This program prepares students to interpret, organize, and disseminate health information to relevant stakeholders, design tools and systems that address health information challenges, and collaborate with health care professionals and allied health professionals to improve health information services and resources. Concentration options for this program include Archives and Preservation; Data Science; Health Information; Interaction Design and Informatics; School Librarianship; and Technology, Information, and Management. Students pursue a hybrid course of study that combines on-campus and online 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 Human Development, Culture, and Media, in South Orange, offers a Master of Arts in Communication with tracks in Digital Media, Organizational Communication, and Public Relations (PR). Students in this program take core classes that cover communication research methods and their applications in professional contexts ranging from journalism to marketing and organizational communication. From there, students take four track-specific courses. For the Digital Media track, students take courses in new media in organizational communication, the internet and communication, digital communication theory and practice, and communication ethics. Students of the Organizational Communication track take courses that cover organizational communication principles, training and development, change leadership and organizational culture, and leading organizational diversity. Finally, the Public Relations track consists of courses in public relations research and writing, global media perspectives, PR theories and principles, and practical applications of strategic PR planning. Beyond their track-specific courses, students take three electives of their choosing in areas such as communication technology, international business communication, integrated marketing communication, and visual communication. To graduate, students are required to complete a master’s thesis or project with support from their faculty advisory and committee.
William Paterson University’s Department of Communication, in Wayne, offers a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), with focus areas in Strategic Marketing Communication, Social Media Strategy, and Corporate Communication Management. Students take a set curriculum of courses in integrated marketing communication, organizational communication, brand strategy, corporate social responsibility and advocacy, digital content development, global strategic communication, crisis communication and reputation management, social media communication, and research for strategic communication. Students must demonstrate their understanding of and ability to apply advanced IMC theory, principles, and practices through a master’s capstone project. The capstone project can incorporate an internship or fellowship, if students apply for and receive advisor approval.
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, two schools in New Jersey offer master’s in communication programs online.
Georgian Court University in Lakewood offers a 100% online Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication through its School of Business & Digital Media. This program is designed to equip students with the creative communication skills and strategic media methodologies to tackle diverse challenges in the communication industry. The program is comprised of a set curriculum of ten courses that cover key topics such as integrated marketing communication principles and practices, digital storytelling, brand identity and communication, digital marketing, media analytics, creativity and innovation, 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 to build, present, and implement a digital communication campaign for a business partner.
While Rutgers University’s Master of Communication and Media offers a wide range of online and hybrid courses, at this time, only one of its eight specializations can be completed entirely online, specifically the Digital Media specialization. This specialization emphasizes digital media innovation and effective media management through courses in digital media production, digital journalism, digital advocacy and persuasion, media globalization, new media law, communication technologies, children and the media, organizational leadership, and critiquing marketing communication. Students of this program receive advanced training to work in journalism, video design and editing, and social media management.
For residents of New Jersey who do not live within commuting distance of a campus-based master’s in communication program, and who wish to explore specializations other than the ones offered by Georgian Court University and Rutgers University, out-of-state master’s in communication programs may be a good option. There are numerous online master’s in communication programs throughout the nation that accept students from New Jersey. Some of these online programs may require on-campus intensives, or otherwise require students to visit campus or a satellite location to complete workshop activities, exams, or final thesis and/or project defenses before faculty. In addition, not all out-of-state schools are authorized to accept students from New Jersey. For more information about online master’s degree programs in communication, including details on campus visit requirements and geographical admissions restrictions, please reference our Online Master’s in Communication Programs resource page.
Directory of 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)
