Master of Arts in Communication

The Communication MA degree program is under revision, and will not be admitting new students until 2026. All information regarding the program on this site should be considered archival until further notice.
  • " I'm a better professional and citizen because of the knowledge and conversations I shared with my peers and professors. " - Simran, Senior Marketing Manager (Class of 2018)
  • "I love that the graduate program provided me a safe space to explore and research my topic of interest on extremism – a heavy topic to tackle as a Muslim! My professors' support, encouragement, at times holding me up when I got discouraged, got me to successfully complete my thesis." - Maha, Ed.D., Adjunct Professor (Class of 2012)
  • "Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV truly makes you feel wanted. Enjoy the time that you have and everything will fall right into place." - Roy, Lead Program Coordinator in Public Affairs (Class of 2021)
  • "The Professors... The Curriculum... The Classmates and The Environment... I had a great experience studying for my master's degree here." - Daracharas, Public Relation Officer (Class of 2015)
  • "To be able to work with a great group of people who love the subject makes this program the best." - Brady, Marketing Communications (Class of 2020)
  • "Completing my degree was one of the best things I've ever done - the best gift I could give to myself is that of continuing knowledge. " - Valerie, Director of Marketing and Communications (Class of 2013)
  • "I owe my entire career and success to my CSUEB mentors who encouraged and pushed me as a student. " - Kenneth, FDA Communications Specialist (Class of 2013)
  • "BA degree in Mass Comm is the beach, while MA in Comm is the deep sea. " - Kwesi, Adjunct Professor (Class of 2011)
  • "Learning & applying different theories in the workforce is something you don't expect, but when you realize you use the information every day, you are proud. Getting an MA from CSUEB is one of my greatest achievements!" - Sanjna, Teacher (Class of 2013)
  • "This program was incredibly stimulating, inspiring, and it grounded me with the tools I need to thrive as a person and succeed in my job. Everything that I learned, I still directly apply to my job every single day. " - Ishita, Global Research Director (Class of 2011)
  • "The MA Communication Program helped me find my voice and identity within the world of technology & media." - Shane, Sr. Program Manager of Operational Risk Management (Class of 2015)
  • "Very accomplished faculty. Learn from the best!" - Chitra, Adjunct Professor (Class of 2015)

The Communication MA degree program is undergoing revision. We will be unable to accept program applications until 2025.

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ARCHIVED DESCRIPTION

The Master of Arts degree in Communication is a dynamic, flexible program in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Sudents join an energetic community of active scholars engaged in a wide range of research interests. You will learn foundational approaches to theory, criticism, research, and ethics in communication that prepare students for the public and professional spheres, on local, national, and international levels. With a faculty advisor, you will construct a program of interest to you with a solid foundation in communication theory and research.

In addition to dedicated professors recognized as leaders in the field and an impressive well-accomplished alumni community, there are several incentives to apply:

  • No GRE required
  • Evening classes to accommodate work schedules
  • Special consideration granted for relevant professional experience
  • Undergraduate degrees in related fields are acceptable preparation
  • Completion options adaptable to your goals
  • Small class sizes, a supportive community, more contact with professors and classmates
  • Flexible time to completion
  • For graduates of our own BA in Communication program, a streamlined application process

We welcome and encourage students of all undergraduate backgrounds to consider pursuing our Master’s degree in Communication. Students from many different academic backgrounds have succeeded in the program, including Art, Theater, History, Sociology, Anthropology, English, Multimedia Arts, Social Work, Hospitality, and more.

The program consists of 31 units (8 classes) including core courses, graduate elective seminars, and independent study courses. The culminating experience is a thesis, project, or comprehensive exam. Your experience will include specialized seminars on a variety of phenomena and areas of study including:

  • Social Media
  • Cultural Studies
  • Afrofuturism
  • Strategic Communication
  • Media Studies
  • Celebrity and Fandom
  • Media Meme Studies
  • Rhetoric
  • Organizational Communication
  • Political Communication
  • Content and Audience analysis
  • Viral Communication
     

Application Deadlines

New students are admitted in Fall and Spring semesters. Application deadlines are:

Starting Semester

Application Submission Period

Notification Date

Fall

Early review, Oct. 1 to Feb. 25

March 25

Fall

Regular review, Feb. 26 to May 1

June 1

Spring

Aug. 1 to Nov. 1 (no early review)

December 1

Missed the deadline? Not sure if it's the right program for you? You can still take a class through . Just attend the first class and you can be added with the instructor's permission for the semester without having to submit a formal application. Credit for the class can transferred towards your degree upon successful application and admission to the program. More information here

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