M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
M.S. in Communication Management
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, Florida, offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Management through its School of Communication within the College of Arts and Sciences. This 36-credit hour program is uniquely designed to prepare students for leadership positions across various communication-driven fields, including public relations firms, advertising agencies, media outlets, and production companies. It goes beyond traditional communication studies by integrating principles of media management, strategy, metrics, and economics, alongside essential business and communication ethics and legal issues. The program is flexible, offering both thesis and non-thesis options, and provides five distinct concentrations, allowing students to tailor their degree to specific career aspirations.
Curriculum: The 36-credit hour curriculum for the M.S. in Communication Management at UNF provides a blend of core communication principles and specialized management knowledge. The program includes a common core of required courses (15 credits) that cover foundational topics in communication theory, strategy, and management. Students then select 3 elective credits from within the School of Communication. The distinguishing feature of the program is its interdisciplinary nature, allowing students to choose 12 credit hours from one of five outside concentrations: Business, Public Health, Leadership, Nonprofit Management, and Public Management. The program culminates with 6 credit hours dedicated to either an academic communication management-related thesis or an applied communication management-related research project, undertaken under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Communication Management at UNF emphasizes both academic and applied research. The program's design requires students to engage in significant research, either through a traditional academic thesis or a professional, applied research project. This focus ensures graduates develop strong research methodologies, data analysis skills, and the ability to critically evaluate communication strategies and their effectiveness. Faculty research interests in the School of Communication are diverse, including areas like political communication (e.g., social media, political ads), crisis communication, strategic/organizational communication, and the uses and implications of social media in various contexts. This breadth of expertise supports students in pursuing research topics relevant to their interests and career goals.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Communication Management program at UNF is highly committed to fostering strong connections with the communications industry. The School of Communication actively facilitates industry engagement through several initiatives. Annually, it hosts "Media Week," an event designed to allow students to network directly with top communication managers and gain valuable career advice. In February, the school organizes an "Internship + Job Fair" that features communication companies from the regional area, providing direct access to potential employers. Additionally, the program offers a mentor program, pairing students with experienced communication managers in advertising, public relations, journalism, and production, ensuring practical insights and professional guidance for career advancement.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Communication Management at UNF inherently incorporates a global perspective by preparing students for leadership roles in an interconnected world where communication transcends geographical boundaries. While not exclusively focused on international communication, the program's emphasis on media management, strategy, and ethics is applicable to global organizations and multicultural audiences. The inclusion of concentrations like Public Health or Leadership can further expose students to communication challenges and strategies within diverse communities, some of which may have global dimensions. Graduates are equipped to navigate complex communication landscapes that increasingly involve international stakeholders, cross-cultural understanding, and the impact of global media trends.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Management from the University of North Florida (UNF) is a 36-credit hour program designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles across diverse communication-driven industries. Housed within the School of Communication, this program goes beyond foundational communication theory to integrate media management, strategic planning, metrics, and ethical and legal considerations.
Communications Director/Manager: Leads and oversees all internal and external communication efforts for an organization, including public relations, corporate communications, media relations, and crisis communication strategy. This role is crucial in shaping public perception and organizational messaging.
Public Relations Manager/Specialist: Manages an organization's public image and reputation. This involves crafting media releases, developing social media strategies, managing media relations, planning events, and engaging with stakeholders to maintain a positive public perception.
Marketing Communications Manager: Develops, implements, and executes strategic marketing communication plans for products, services, or brands. This role involves integrating various communication channels (advertising, PR, digital media) to reach target audiences and drive marketing objectives.
Social Media Manager/Strategist: Oversees an organization's social media presence, developing content strategies, managing campaigns, analyzing engagement metrics, and leveraging social platforms to build brand awareness, foster community, and support business goals.
Brand Strategist: Researches target audiences and market trends to develop comprehensive brand strategies. They work to define a brand's identity, messaging, and positioning to resonate with consumers and build trust and loyalty.
Corporate Communications Specialist: Focuses on an organization's internal and external communications, ensuring consistent messaging, managing employee communications, drafting executive communications, and handling stakeholder relations for large corporations.
Media Relations Manager: Serves as the primary point of contact for media inquiries, pitches stories to journalists, organizes press conferences, and cultivates relationships with media outlets to secure positive coverage and manage news cycles.
Nonprofit Communications Director/Manager: Leads communication and marketing efforts specifically for non-profit organizations, focusing on fundraising campaigns, public awareness, donor relations, and advocacy to support the organization's mission.
Content Strategist/Manager: Develops and oversees the creation, publication, and governance of useful, usable content across various platforms (websites, blogs, videos, social media) to achieve specific business or communication objectives.
Account Supervisor/Manager (Agency Setting): In advertising or public relations agencies, this role serves as the primary liaison between the agency and its clients. They manage client relationships, oversee project teams, develop communication strategies, and ensure client objectives are met.
