The online M.S. in Communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University incorporates today’s trends and technologies to enhance age-old media traditions and create innovative solutions and opportunities. The online M.S. in Communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University incorporates today’s trends and technologies to enhance age-old media traditions and create innovative solutions and opportunities. The online M.S. in Communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University incorporates today’s trends and technologies to enhance age-old media traditions and create innovative solutions and opportunities.
Since 1870, Syracuse University has been working to reimagine what’s possible—in education and in the world. With roots dating back 100 years to the Department of Journalism, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications has been proudly helping to drive the evolution of media.
In addition to 11 residential master’s degree programs, the Newhouse School offers online master’s programs that extend our reach, preparing a diverse network of communications professionals to develop pioneering ideas and play a role in shaping their industry’s future.
At Newhouse, we don’t believe in doing things the way they’ve always been done.
The way we communicate is evolving all the time, and every breakthrough changes the way we deliver and consume news, advertising and content. That means communications education needs to evolve too.
Our online Master of Science in Communications program incorporates today’s trends and technologies to enhance age-old media traditions and create innovative solutions and opportunities.
Upon graduation, you’ll join Newhouse’s more than 28,000-person alumni network, which includes some of the most powerful and successful communications professionals in the world.
50%
of students reported receiving raises within 12 months of completing the program.2
“Newhouse’s reputation as a leading school of communications attracted me to the program. Honestly, if I hadn’t been accepted to Syracuse [University], I probably wouldn’t have gotten my master’s because I wanted to go to the best communications program.”
Katiuska Fernandez, Class of 2017
Associate Director of Content Integration ESPN Plus
2017 Latino 30 Under 30 Recipient
If you’re ready to join the Newhouse Network, take the
next step today.
Ready to advance your career with Syracuse University? Take the next step today.
Our online master’s program includes five core courses to equip you with a foundation in digital communications practices. You can then select one of three specializations to align your studies with your area of interest.
To finish the program, you will attend two in-person immersions and complete the capstone, an independent project focused on digital communications innovation.
5
core courses
2
immersions
3
specializations
(4 courses each)
1
capstone
To succeed in the field of communications today, you need to know more than just how to work in a digital environment. You need to be digitally fluent. That means knowing how to leverage digital capabilities to enhance your message, communicate effectively across mediums and craft content that resonates with your target audience.
Our coursework—and our online platform—will equip you with that digital fluency.
Core courses cover a wide range of foundational communications topics.
Introduction to Digital Communications:
Evaluate the use and impact of digital communication technologies on culture, governance, ethics and diversity.
Multimedia Storytelling:
Write, design and produce short stories using digital media and the internet.
Social Media for Public Communicators:
Learn to use digital and social media platforms strategically.
Media Law:
Study topics like libel, privacy, fair trial, press and obscenity.
Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership in Communications (3 credits)
This course covers theories of excellence in public relations by looking at PR models, organizational culture and diversity and ethics in the field. A brief overview of communication theory is included. Theories form the foundation or professional practice.
Explore our curriculum further.
Elective courses allow students to specialize in a variety of media disciplines that align with their career goals.
Strategic Communication
Learn to craft communications and examine strategies for successful advertising campaigns that will get noticed by media outlets and journalists.
Courses include:
Learn more about our strategic communication specialization.
Journalism Innovation
Explore the digital innovations that are changing the nature of how journalists deliver and readers consume news. Gain skills in data analysis, newsgathering, editing and information visualization for social and digital media.
Courses include:
Media Management
Explore innovative ways to leverage new media tools like data analysis and market research while learning to lead diverse teams in a variety of fields. Coursework helps students to strengthen their digital skills and prepare for leadership roles.
Courses include:
The Newhouse School also offers 11 residential master’s degree programs that span a wide range of communications disciplines. Learn more about our residential programs.
The field of communications is evolving. Equip yourself to play a role
in its future with an online Master of Science in Communications
from the Newhouse School.
Ready to advance your career with Syracuse University? Take the next step today.
Communications master’s degrees at Newhouse require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to apply. Beyond that, we want students with diverse and wide-ranging experiences. For that reason, GRE/GMAT scores are not required for our online master’s in communications program. However, if you feel that your scores add to your application, please include them.
You must submit:
The fee to apply to the program is $75; however, some students may qualify for a fee waiver. If you’d like to waive the application fee or have questions about any application items, contact an admissions counselor at 844-797-2666 or admissions@communications.syr.edu.
The final deadline for the July 2025 cohort is May 8, 2025.
Our online communications program is designed to match the rigor of the on-campus program while allowing you to complete your studies on the go. Our class schedule is flexible and convenient for the working professional, and our online platform allows you to log on from anywhere.
Our program is delivered entirely online except for two in-person immersions. These weekend-long excursions—which take place on the Syracuse University campus and in select domestic and international cities—give you the opportunity to develop hands-on skills and meet peers, faculty and industry leaders in person.
Past immersion speakers have included BuzzFeed’s vice president of agency strategy, an NFL reporter at ESPN and correspondents from CNN and Bloomberg. In January 2020, students traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, ahead of the caucuses and had a chance to meet Syracuse University alumnus President Joe Biden ahead of one of his rallies. Explore the immersion experience.
Newhouse School faculty are renowned experts in their fields. Our professors are published authors, former journalists and social media experts who bring their rich and wide-ranging expertise to the classroom.
Faculty will work alongside you throughout the program to ensure you receive the academic attention and career guidance you need. Meet our faculty.
Earning a master’s degree in communications prepares you for a broad range of communications careers. Upon graduation, you’ll gain access to The Newhouse Network, an online alumni database containing more than 5,800 contacts in the communications industry that you can tap into for job leads, career advice, new hires or just fresh ideas.
Request information today. An admissions counselor will reach out to you after you complete the form.
Ready to advance your career with Syracuse University? Take the next step today.
1The self-reported information is from a survey with 102 respondents who have graduated from the online M.S. in Communications program since 2015. Fifty percent reported that they received an increase in compensation three, six or 12 months after graduation.arrow_upward
2 The self-reported information is from a survey with 102 respondents who have graduated from the online M.S. in Communications program since 2015. Fifty percent reported that they received an increase in compensation three, six or 12 months after graduation.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
