Communication (M.A.)
Choose Your Path to a Master's Degree in Communication
Location and Instruction
- Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus
- Flexible, In-Person or Remote Participation
- Core In-Person and Remote Classes + Online Electives
Student Types
✔️ Full-Time Graduate Students
✔️ Part-Time Working Professionals
✔️ Accelerated 4+1 Program Students
Communication track
The Communication major involves advanced study in strategic communication and society, media, and technology research from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives. The program introduces students to public and mass communication for application to academic and professional settings. Students engage in reviewing and discussing research and criticism while collecting and interpreting original research data.
All students in the Communication major are required to complete six credit hours total of Research & Thesis, one credit hour of Thesis Prospectus Practicum, and at least 36 credit hours total.
Reputation Management track
The Reputation Management major focuses on public relations management in a variety of sectors including corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors. This degree is designed for students interested in advanced studies on how to improve public perceptions of organizations and enhance the goodwill asset on the company balance sheet. Students who complete the Reputation Management major earn a graduate professional credential that prepares them for broader management responsibilities and enhances their career advancement.
All students in the Reputation Management major are required to complete three credit hours total of Project & Research, to take at least nine credit hours total of elective classes within a chosen specialty area, and to complete at least 36 credit hours total.
30-33 hrs
Total Graduate Credit Hours
3 hrs
Project and Report
(Reputation Management Major)
6 hrs
Research and Thesis
(Communcation Major)
Where are our graduates now?
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Jenna Davis, '20
Director of Development for JASON Learning; Charlotte, North Carolina
Madilynne Tanner, '22
Program Communications Coordinator at Virginia Department of Social Services; Richmond, Virginia
Andrew Knight, '20
Account Executive at The Hodges Partnership; Richmond, Virginia
Anjelica Smith, '15
Program Director, Voter Engagmeent at Democracy Works; New York City
Jessica Hotter, '18
Director of Licensing and Brand Development for Rally House
Lindsey Baumann, '15
Communications Manager for Archer Education; San Diego, California
Peter Bakke, '14
U.S. Army Information Operations Officer at 1st IO Command, West Point Graduate, Officer in U.S. Army
Jordan Wolf, '18
Senior Implementation Specialist for TravelPerk; Chicago, Illinois
Kate Adkins, '16 & '24
Associate Director of Social Media, Virginia Tech
Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- Advertising Account Executive
- Creative Director
- Media Buyer
- Outdoor Advertising Designer
- Copywriter
- Digital Advertising Planner
- Associate Director of Social Media
Curriculum
What You'll Study
You'll take graduate Communication courses and electives with a focus on your chosen specialty area while completing a substantial learning experience outside the classroom that includes the successful creation and presentation of a report project.
Communication Track Credit Hour Requirements
- Graduate-level: 30
- Research: 6 credit hours
Reputation Management Track Credit Hour Requirements
- Graduate-level: 33
- Project and Report: 3
Sample Classes
- Communication Theory
- Communication Research Methods
- Crisis and Issue Management
- Qualitative Methods in Communication
- Quantitative Methods in Communication
- Issues and Crisis Management
- Public Relations Theory and Practice
- Organizational Communication
- COMM 5994: Research & Thesis (3 credit hours)
Elective Courses
- Communication track: Six credit hours of electives in one disciplinary area, such as business or public health.
- Reputation Management track: 9 credit hours of electives in connected fields, such as leadership, business, or marketing
Requirements and Tuition
Requirements
- Minimum GPA 3.0 (4.0 Scale)
- Compatibility with faculty research interests
- TOEFL/ IELTS score required (if applicable)
Application Materials
- Grad school application
- Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Writing Sample
- Letter of Interest and Curriculum Vitae
Application Deadlines
- Priority Deadline: February 1 for consideration of funding (domestic and international applicants)
- International Applicant Final Deadline (no funding consideration): April 1
- Domestic Applicant Final Deadline (no funding consideration): May 31
Tuition
Opportunities for funded graduate assistantships are available for both the Communication and Reputation Management tracks have. These assistantships provide a GTA salary and payment toward tuition (tuition remission), but are only available for the residential option.
Schedule a Consultation with the Program Director
Cayce Myers, Graduate Director
Shanks Hall, Room 113
181 Turner St. NW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-7165
mcmyers@vt.edu