
Master in Communication and Advocacy
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Students enroll in the Communication and Advocacy program because it equips them with the knowledge tools they need to effect positive change in the world. Students learn how to advocate, not only for themselves, but also for social and political change, marginalized communities, and other individuals or groups in need throughout the world. With its small cohort approach, the program benefits from the perspectives of both domestic and international students.
Why Communication and Advocacy at JMU?
The program offers a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students to be skilled and ethical advocates in the face of rapidly changing 21st-century issues, contexts, and communication technologies. The program offers advanced research and training in communication and advocacy with concentrated coursework in environmental communication, health communication, and strategic communication. The program is ideal for students pursuing academic careers as well as professionals seeking to advance at work.
Our M.A. program in Communication and Advocacy provides you with the skills to be a voice for change in the world.
Whether it is through interpersonal advocacy as an ombudsperson in the workplace or as a patient advocate in a hospital, working at the community level as an outreach program coordinator with elderly populations, or advocating at the national and global levels as a public relations manager for an environmental nonprofit, our graduates are prepared to be an advocate for change.
Gallery
Curriculum
The Program
Our program offers the benefits of both a general communication master’s program and a specialized program. In addition to a strong foundation in Communication Studies, this program offers three concentrations:
Concentrations
Health Communication
Graduate students interested in specializing in advocacy in the context of health communication will complete course work across a wide range of health care situations.
Students graduating with a concentration in Health Communication will be prepared to work in a variety of nonprofit, government, and corporate settings constructing and evaluating health-related messages and campaigns, educating audiences using culturally appropriate messages designed to reach diverse groups, and advocating for patients and clients in a variety of health care contexts.
Environmental Communication
Graduate students interested in specializing in environmental communication will complete course work focusing on the multifaceted nature of environmental advocacy, key forums through which competing local to international interests are identified, contested, and managed, as well as how various levels of risk are framed, challenged, and negotiated.
Students graduating with a concentration in Environmental Communication will be prepared to work in a variety of nonprofit, government and corporate settings constructing and evaluating environmental campaigns, facilitating organizational and group decision making about issues related to environmental practices, communicate effectively with varied stakeholders with conflicting interests, and educate and motivate diverse audiences regarding environmental interests.
Strategic Communication
Graduate students interested in specializing in strategic communication will complete course work focused on the research-driven, analytical approach utilized by contemporary advocates to address communication challenges and opportunities in the public and private sectors.
Students with a concentration in Strategic Communication will be prepared to work in a variety of corporate, governmental, and nonprofit settings, constructing and evaluating communication campaigns, facilitating organizational and group decision making, engaging effectively with interested stakeholders, and educating and motivating diverse audiences.
The M.A. is a 36-credit hour program that includes:
- 18 hours of core course work in advocacy studies, theory and applied contexts, and communication research methods.
- Nine hours of concentrated study in advocacy topics salient in both academic and professional contexts, such as environmental, health, and strategic communication.
- Nine hours dedicated to a major project option of thesis or internship credit designed to facilitate specific vocational and academic qualifications in the field. Includes three hours of elective course work.
or
- Nine hours of elective course work related to the comprehensive examination.
The core spans applied theory and contexts as well as research methods and tools. It is designed to prepare students to examine, assess, critique, and develop systematic communication advocacy practices across a wide range of areas. The depth and practicum requirements allow students to develop competencies in specific areas of advocacy studies.
Course Offerings
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Our faculty members
- Are dedicated, experienced teachers,
- Are award-winning leaders in their field, and
- Bring professional experience in communication and advocacy to the classroom.
Our typical student
- Wants to make a difference in the world through advocacy,
- Loves learning and is excited to be able to attend at least one conference per year through our travel grants,
- Wants a successful career in non-profits, strategic communication, NGOs, health or environmental advocacy,
- Or may want to pursue a Ph.D. after their Master's.
Admissions
Program Outcome
This program prepares students to be competitive in nationally recognized doctoral programs.
The study of communication and advocacy creates knowledge and awareness that assist our local, national, and international change makers. For students who want to pursue a Ph.D. program, a Master's in Communication and Advocacy prepares them by developing their research skills through coursework and self-directed projects, experience presenting at academic conferences, and through pedagogical training and hands on teaching experiences. Graduates of our program are well prepared for the challenges of doctoral studies.
Scholarships and Funding
Many students enrolled in this program are offered a Graduate Assistantship that signficantly reduces the cost of tuition and pays a stipend that is sufficient to cover the cost of housing, meals and other expenses.
Career Opportunities
Careers in Advocacy
Advocates speak for the interests of individuals and groups and assist in all phases of communication development toward the fulfillment of interpersonal and organizational goals. Skilled advocates adopt diverse communication strategies that assist clients in articulating interests and desired outcomes; develop plans for implementing change, and design effective messages for target audiences.
The unique combination of theoretical rigor, research training, and focus on practical advocacy skills situates the communication professional as competitive in the professional marketplace. Graduates are prepared for a variety of positions.
Careers in communication, in advocacy organizations, and in consulting firms
- Communication Specialist,
- Public Relations Manager,
- Advocacy Coordinator and Project Manager,
- Director of Advocacy and Research,
- Project Manager,
- Program/Campaign Manager,
- Advocacy and Strategic Communication Specialist,
- Advocacy Consultant,
- Outreach Coordinator,
- Community Ombudsperson.
- Media relations,
- Research and program development,
- Community outreach/relations, and
- Education.
Because students are trained broadly in the communication competencies of advocacy, they are prepared for a variety of positions in any number of advocacy-related organizations ranging from nonprofit companies to large international non-governmental agencies (NGOs).
English Language Requirements
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