Preparing Mississippi College students to be successful communicators with their words, skills, and lives.
Communication and Careers
Our online Communication graduate programs are designed to advance your career in public relations, media, and related fields. Our graduates pursue careers at a wide variety of public relations and marketing agencies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the communication and media industries are projected to grow over the next decade. In particular, public relations specialists roles are expected to grow at a rate nearly twice as fast in that same period.
Graduate Program Options
Each master’s program in communication can be completed in two years fully online, with some courses also available on our Clinton, Mississippi, campus.
Healthcare Communication
This Master of Science degree prepares students to create policies, direct hospital services and serve as communications spokesperson for entire healthcare organizations.
Integrated Communication
This Master of Science degree prepares students to use theoretically grounded, data-based decision-making to solve problems and innovate within a variety of professional settings.
Strategic Communication
This Master of Science program prepares students to address communication needs in the professional environment and provides the foundations to continue their education at the doctoral level.
Certificate in Public Relations
The certificate enables students to gain classroom based experience designed to assist in professional advancement and future graduate degree academic work.
Are You a Good Candidate for Graduate School?
You may be a good candidate for our graduate program if:
- You have solid command of the written word and will work to become an excellent writer
- You're disciplined with your time
- You're willing to take constructive feedback
- You're comfortable with online education technology and digital communication tools
- You have a plan on how a graduate degree will advance your career or scholarly ambitions
- You're willing to work hard to achieve your goals
Deadlines
Applications to Communication graduate programs are accepted on a rolling basis. However, the following deadlines have been set to give department faculty sufficient time to review applications prior to the start of each academic term:
- Fall Term: August 1
- Spring Term: January 1
- Summer Term: May 1
Students may begin in the fall, spring, or summer terms. Applicants should allow for 10 business days between submission of all required items and a decision regarding admission. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.
Application Process
Applicants to Communication graduate programs must submit the following items:
- A $35.00 non-refundable application fee. This fee must accompany the application.
- An official application for admission.
- One copy of official transcripts of all prior college-level academic work, including associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate. Applicants must also submit any course syllabi for any graduate-level work for which they wish to be considered for transfer credit. Official transcripts are those mailed from the college or university directly to the Dean of the Graduate School. Transcripts submitted by the applicant or other individuals or that are marked "issued to student" are not considered official and will not be accepted.
- A personal essay of 600-750 words expressing the applicant's purpose in seeking a graduate degree and explaining how their chosen graduate program will help the applicant further personal and/or professional goals.
- Two letters of recommendation on organizational letterhead. The first letter must be from a faculty member from the applicant's undergradiate (or prior graduate) education who can attest to the applicant's readiness for graduate school. (In the case that significant time has passed between the completion of the applicant's undergraduate degree and the applicant's application to a Communication graduate program, a letter from a working professional who can attest to the applicant's suitability for graduate-level work may be substituted.) The second letter must be from a professional supervisor or colleague. Letters from family members, immediate or otherwise, or personal friends who do not fit one of the two descriptions above will not be accepted.
