M.A. in Communication
Choose Your Path to a Master's Degree in Communication
Location and Instruction
- Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus
- Flexible, In-Person
- Core In-Person Classes |Online, Asynchronous Electives Available
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.
36 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?
Sarah Field, Class of 2010
Communications Director, ICF Next
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Jenna Davis, Class of 2020
Director of Development for JASON Learning; Charlotte, North Carolina
Madilynne Tanner, Class of 2022
"Completing my master’s degree in reputation management offered an incredible opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and skillset. Because of this program, I felt better set up to succeed in my career. It taught me to think deeper and more strategically, offer creative and effective solutions, and set high expectations for myself in my career and the field of public relations as a whole. I am forever grateful for my time at Virginia Tech and my ability to gain a master’s degree in a field that is growing even more vital. — Madilynne Tanner, Program Communications Coordinator at Virginia Department of Social Services; Richmond, Virginia
Andrew Knight, Class of 2020
"Attending the SCOM graduate program was incredibly valuable for my career and professional growth. First--it taught me how to be a better writer, summarize research and see if the PhD. route is the best option for my path, all while preparing me to be successful outside academia. I loved getting to teach public speaking and still use the skills I learned managing a classroom in my role managing PR at a big agency. The program is a no-brainer to boost your career or help you become a professor. " — Andrew Knight, Account Executive at The Hodges Partnership; Richmond, Virginia
Anjelica Smith, Class of 2015
Program Director, Voter Engagmeent at Democracy Works; New York City
Jessica Hotter, Class of 2018
Director of Licensing and Brand Development for Rally House
Lindsey Baumann, Class of 2015
Communications Manager for Archer Education; San Diego, California
Peter Bakke, Class of 2014
U.S. Army Information Operations Officer at 1st IO Command, West Point Graduate, Officer in U.S. Army
Jordan Wolf, Class of 2018
Senior Implementation Specialist for TravelPerk; Chicago, Illinois
Kate Adkins, Class of 2024
"The Reputation Management program allowed me to apply what I was learning in the classroom to my professional career in real time. That real-time connection between learning and practice not only accelerated my professional growth but also drove meaningful results for my organization. This program bridges theory and practice in a way that equips you to make strategic contributions to your organization right away." — Kate Adkins, Associate Director of Social Media, Virginia Tech
Sample of Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- Director of Communications
- 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
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Bio ItemTodd Bennett , bio
181 Turner Street NW (130 Shanks Hall), Blacksburg, VA 24061, (540) 231-8445 | toddbennett@vt.edu
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Bio ItemClaire Hall Boor , bio
235 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, claire86@vt.edu
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Bio ItemMartin Cassady , bio
145 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner St NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061 | martindc@vt.edu
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Bio ItemDorothy Skiles Conner , bio
235 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner St NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, djs21@vt.edu
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Bio ItemMegan Duncan , bio
148 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, meganduncan@vt.edu
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Bio ItemCarlos Evia Puerto , bio
013 Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Building, 200 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-2373 | cevia@vt.edu
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Bio ItemAdrienne Holz , bio
108 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-1671 | holz@vt.edu
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Bio ItemBuddy Howell , bio
141 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-7163 | hbuddy4@vt.edu
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Bio ItemDawn Jefferies , bio
149 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-8538 | djefferies@vt.edu
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Bio ItemDale M. Jenkins , bio
143 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-9829 | dajenki2@vt.edu
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Bio ItemEvan Johnson , bio
181 Turner Street NW (146 Shanks Hall), Blacksburg, VA 24061, (540) 231-5009 | evanjohnson@vt.edu
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Bio ItemJim A. Kuypers , bio
115 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-3154 | kuypers@vt.edu
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Bio ItemNneka Logan , bio
107 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-1749 | nlogan@vt.edu
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Bio ItemKacy McAllister , bio
233 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-4877 | kacy@vt.edu
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Bio ItemNatalia Mielczarek , bio
144 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, nmiel@vt.edu
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Bio ItemCayce Myers , bio
103 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-7165 | mcmyers@vt.edu
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Bio ItemLaura Purcell , bio
253 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, laurap@vt.edu
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Bio ItemBrandi Quesenberry , bio
130C Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, brandiq@vt.edu
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Bio ItemRobin Reed , bio
151 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-0282 | rrobin7@vt.edu
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Bio ItemSyrenthia Robinson , bio
109 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-9827 | sjrob@vt.edu
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Bio ItemBill Roth , bio
151 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-5020 | billroth@vt.edu
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Bio ItemHannah Shinault Deuyour , bio
130A Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-9831 | hannah84@vt.edu
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Bio ItemStephanie Smith , bio
105 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street, NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-7137| stephs11@vt.edu
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Bio ItemZack Sowder , bio
155 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, zsowder@vt.edu
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Bio ItemWilliam Paul Spaulding , bio
151 Moss Arts Center, 190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-8763 | wpspaul@vt.edu
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Bio ItemSusan Stinson , bio
233 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, susan.stinson@vt.edu
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Bio ItemJohn C. Tedesco , bio
130E1 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-7166 | tedesco@vt.edu
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Bio ItemKatie Thomas , bio
253 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-3089 | katiethomas@vt.edu
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Bio ItemAngela Widgeon , bio
147 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner St NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061 | widgeon@vt.edu
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Bio ItemChelsea Woods , bio
110 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, clwoods@vt.edu
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Bio ItemJared M. Woolly , bio
142 Shanks Hall, 181 Turner Street NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, jmwoolly@vt.edu
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Bio ItemMatthew Zimmerman , bio
181 Turner Street NW (113 Shanks Hall), Blacksburg, VA 24061, Matthewz310@vt.edu
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Bio ItemJustin Combs , bio
181 Turner Street NW (106 Shanks Hall), Blacksburg, VA 24061, (540) 231-8467 | juscombs@vt.edu
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