Communications and Media Management M.C.M.M.

Become a leader in the field of communications and media

The technology we all use to share information continues to evolve at a rapid pace. CSU's Master of Communications and Media Management program delivers a powerful learning experience for professionals seeking to advance into a leadership role or pursue new career opportunities.

To manage communication effectively, you must understand how to critically select, enhance, and integrate the ideal mix of media to define and connect with specific audiences. This program prepares you to:

• Understand the use, diffusion, and impacts of new communication technologies.
• Strategically manage both traditional and digital communication tools.
• Write and deliver content using digital media, including text, photos, audio, video, and websites.
• Plan, implement, and oversee effective organizational communication plans.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of technology, communication strategies, and media projects.

Learn to operate more ethically and take a data-driven approach

Courses in this program focus on ethical decision-making as a media manager. Ethical concerns in digital media and communication include the protection of employee and customer privacy, surveillance issues, data protection, and the use of blocking and email screening programs within organizations.

Creating successful digital communication strategies also requires measuring and understanding data (i.e. data analytics). You will learn:

• How real-time feedback is utilized by major media companies to track trends.
• How to understand analytics for all major media categories.
• How to make sense of the implications and opportunities behind the numbers.
• How to present and utilize data to influence decision-making.
• How to incorporate data visualization to enhance your messages.

Build a professional network as you collaborate in the online classroom

This program emphasizes collaborative learning. You will have many opportunities to network and problem-solve with your peers. CSU strives to create a rich, supportive online learning experience by providing students with access to training resources such as LinkedIn Learning, task-specific research, statistics programs, and databases.

Customize your program of study

This master’s program gives you the flexibility to choose technical and in-depth study topics that relate to your interests and career goals. Topics include:

• Corporate communication
• Digital video editing
• Public relations
• Digital photography
• Advertising and marketing communication
• Writing for specialized magazines
• Web design and management
• Media ethics

Advance your career in virtually any industry

Whether you choose to work in marketing, PR, government, nonprofit, or a corporate environment, all organizations need qualified professionals to implement strategic, versatile communication plans. As a graduate of this program, you will be uniquely positioned to take on the responsibility of managing campaigns, people, technology, and budgets.

Students must successfully complete 30 credits of required and elective coursework to earn this degree.

Required Core Courses

The following core courses require synchronous attendance. The courses include guest speakers, case studies, and group work through synchronous lectures on Zoom. Attendance is expected one evening per week, per course, from 6:00 - 8:50 p.m. Mountain Time. See course description for important details.

Year 1

• JTC 560 – Managing Communication Systems (3 cr.)
• JTC 571 – Digital Media Research and Evaluation Methods (3 cr.)
• JTC 526 – Digital Media Writing and Production (3 cr.)

Year 2

• JTC 640 – Technologies of Public Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 573 – Strategic Digital Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 545 – Organizational Media Production (3 cr.)

Note: If desired, students may take both JTC 526 and JTC 545 in one summer.

Elective Courses

Select four courses from the following:

• JTC 505 – Advanced Professional Writing (3 cr.)
• JTC 511 – Corporate Media Ethics and Issues (3 cr.)
• JTC 517 – Advanced Information Graphics (3 cr.)
• JTC 522 – Media Communication Innovation (3 cr.)
• JTC 536 – Organizational and Commercial Photography (3 cr.)
• JTC 540 – Digital Video Editing (3 cr.)
• JTC 550 – Public Relations (3 cr.)
• JTC 555 – Advertising and Marketing Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 569 – Advising Student Media for K-12 Educators (3 cr.)
• JTC 572 – Corporate Web Design and Management (3 cr.)

The rapid rate of technological change in media technology has created a need for ongoing learning and the acquisition of new multimedia knowledge and management skills.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of media and communication occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2014 to 2024, which will result in about 27,400 new jobs. Demand for media and communication occupations should stem from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information through a variety of different platforms."

Careers in communications span many industries

Communication experts are needed in virtually every organization and every industry, including:

• Banking and finance
• Education
• Entertainment and mass media
• Federal, state, and local government
• Healthcare and human services
• Marketing and advertising
• Nonprofit/NGO
• Real estate and commercial development
• Retail and ecommerce
• Travel, tourism, and hospitality

Examples of job roles communications experts may seek include:

• Communications manager or director
• Media producer
• Multimedia production manager
• Manager or director of public relations
• Digital promotions manager
• Community/social media manager

How long will the program take to complete?

If a student takes two courses each semester and one course each summer, the 30-credit M.C.M.M. degree can be completed in two years.

Is there flexibility in the order and pacing of coursework?

Students may choose to begin the program by enrolling in the elective course options prior to taking the core courses. However, students are strongly encouraged to take the six core classes in the order outlined in the curriculum. Students wishing to take fewer classes or to pause their program of study should consult with their advisor.

What are the admission requirements?

You must have completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 prior to enrolling in the M.C.M.M. program. The GRE is not required for admission. You must also provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a transcript of all completed undergraduate coursework during the application process.

When is the deadline to apply for admission?

For full consideration, you must submit all application materials by the applicable deadline:

• Fall semester: July 19
• Spring semester: November 15
• Summer semester: April 1

Am I required to complete a portfolio as part of my degree?

There is no portfolio requirement for the media communications degree. However, students are encouraged to save a professional portfolio of their creative work, and successful case studies they've developed, for future professional use. You will see examples of how other managers and media producers present their professional work online with examples of differing styles and content that highlights media management.

What is the balance of theory and application within M.C.M.M.?

The Master of Communications and Media Management is first and foremost an applied graduate program. The core courses in the curriculum will provide theories and proven practices related to media management that can be applied every day on the job. The primary focus will be to use these theories as a part of informed practice in each student's chosen career area.

Does this program accept transfer credits?

Transfer credits will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis as to their relevancy to the program and their comparability to similar core and elective courses in the program of study. However, unless the transfer courses utilized a practical case-study approach (often used in many M.B.A.-type degree programs), they will likely not be found to be equivalent.

How much will this degree cost to complete?

Current tuition for this program is $751 per credit. At this rate, the total tuition cost for 30 credits is $22,530 paid over two years. There is also a required technology fee of $32 per semester. These costs may increase year to year, but CSU has held graduate tuition increases to less than 10 percent per year over the past decade. Financial aid is available.

What are the professional benefits of completing this degree program?

One primary goal of using the case study model is that students will acquire key media management insights with the completion of each case and gain useful management knowledge each week in the course. The portfolios developed as an option in the program can be used as a means of demonstrating key lessons learned about day-to-day management in a wide variety of media and communication operations in private industry, nonprofit organizations, and in government.

As a student enrolled in CSU's online Master of Communications and Media Management program, you will receive a degree from a regionally accredited, renowned research institution while taking courses at times that fit your busy life. Additionally, you can expect:

• A Practical Curriculum: Research-based course content translates media and communications concepts into real-world workable solutions — a skill set designed to transform team members into team leaders. With a focus on management, you will become familiar with a variety of tools and platforms, so you can match the ideal mix of media types and channels to the specific communication problem at hand.
• A Customized Skill Set: Gain specialized knowledge in areas you are most interested in by selecting electives that appeal to your career goals. Gain skills in digital video editing, digital photography, advertising, web design and management, and more.

Learn more about CSU's rankings and accolades.

Application Deadlines