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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MCCS GRADUATE PROGRAMS
What programs are offered?
We offer two programs:
  • Graduate Certificate in Strategic Public Relations and Integrated Communication: This program consists of five courses.
  • Master of Science in Communications Management: After completing the certificate requirements, master’s candidates take an additional 15 hours of electives and complete a six-credit thesis or directed research project.
    • Eligible students in this program earn both the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Public Relations and Integrated Communication and the Master of Science in Communications Management.
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What is the overall focus of the programs?
Both programs focus on both internal and external organizational communication, including employee communication, public relations and integrated communication. Both of these programs seek to help students gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to research, plan, implement and evaluate communications activities designed to achieve organizational goals.
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For whom are the programs intended?
Our graduate programs have been designed for both career-oriented individuals who want to advance in their chosen fields and for graduate students interested in advancing to doctoral studies.
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How can a student specialize in a particular area within the graduate programs?
Students are expected to learn how to manage and appropriately integrate a variety of communication functions. Therefore, they are expected to be generalists in all facets of organizational communication and public relations by the time they graduate. Many students will come into the program with some degree of expertise in certain areas and will want to focus their graduate education on, what will be for them, "new" areas of communication. With this in mind, the master’s degree program is designed to allow students flexibility in customizing their degree program. Students should work with the program director to identify the best combination of courses to meet their specific needs.
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What is special about these programs?
  • It is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals.
  • It is the only one of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region.  In fact, there are only a few worldwide with this emphasis on strategic public relations and integrated communications.
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Can the programs be completed part-time?
Yes. However, there is a time limitation. All requirements for a certificate or master’s degree must be completed within a seven-year period.
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Frequently asked questions about MCCS graduate programs