Advance Your Career With an
Online Master’s in Communications

No GRE or GMAT scores are required to apply

More Than a Century of Communications Excellence

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.

Today, our online master’s in communications extends Newhouse’s reach, preparing a diverse network of communications professionals to develop pioneering ideas and play a role in shaping their industry’s future.

Why Choose Our Online Master's in Communications?

The Newhouse Advantage

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.1

“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

Join a Community of Passionate Media Professionals

If you’re ready to join our global Orange Newhouse Network, take the next step today.

Request Information

A 21st-Century Communications Curriculum

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 four 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
4
specializations
(4 courses each)
1
capstone

An Online Master’s You Can Complete in as Few as 15 Months

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

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.

Digital Communications Systems:

Study data, social media and asset management tools—and how to use them to solve communications challenges.

Explore our curriculum further.

Four Areas of Specialization

Elective courses allow students to specialize in a variety of media disciplines that align with their career goals.

Public Relations

Study public relations management, advertising, and campaign planning and execution. Create well-crafted communications to promote an organization’s message. Build the skills to pursue positions in corporate, government and nonprofit environments.

Courses include:

  • Public Relations Theory
  • Public Relations Management
  • Public Relations Campaign Planning and Execution
  • Advertising and Public Relations Research Design
Learn more about our public relations specialization.

Advertising

Strategize, manage and create advertising campaigns for integrated communications in the digital era. Our faculty of accomplished advertising practitioners will help you develop the professional expertise for advertising agencies, strategic marketing companies, corporate marketing departments, small businesses and nonprofit institutions.

Courses include:

  • Strategic Principles and Practices
  • Communications Planning
  • Digital Branding and Strategy
  • Advertising and Public Relations Research Design

Learn more about our advertising 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:

  • Web and Mobile Story Production
  • Data-Driven Journalism
  • Emerging Media Platforms
  • Applied Media Research

Learn more about our journalism innovation specialization.

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:

  • Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership
  • Advanced Social Media
  • Choice of One Whitman School of Management Course
  • Applied Media Research

Learn more about our media management specialization.

Be a Leader Who Drives Innovation

The field of communications is evolving. Equip yourself to play a role in its future with an online Master of Science in Communications from Newhouse.

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Admissions and Application Requirements

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:

  • an online application;
  • your resume and a 500-word personal statement;
  • transcripts from all institutions attended;
  • three letters of recommendation; and
  • an online video interview.

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.

Begin My Application

The Online Student Experience

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.

In-Person Immersions

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.

World-Class Faculty

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.

What Kind of Careers Can You Explore With a Master’s in Communications?

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.

What Positions Can M.S. in Communications Graduates Pursue?

  • Account Executive
  • Advertising Operations Manager
  • Assistant Editor
  • Content Editor
  • Director of Digital Media
  • Product Designer
  • Production Assistant
  • Social Brand Manager
Explore your career options further.

Ready To Drive the Future With an Online Master’s in Communications?

Request information today. An admissions counselor will reach out to you after you complete the form.

1 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.Return to footnote reference