Semester Options 

Admission is offered on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students can complete an M.C.M. degree in 18 to 24 months.

Study Options

Courses in the program are offered on campus, online, blended, and on weekends. This provides students the flexibility to complete a degree while also working. Over 60 percent of M.C.M. students work full time.

Degree Requirements

The M.C.M. program requires the successful completion of a minimum of 36 credits. This includes completion of a five-course core (15 credits) and seven elective courses (21 credits). 

For full-time students, the degree typically requires three semesters of study; 12 credits per semester is the maximum course load. The program is frequently pursued on a part-time basis. Most part-time students enroll in two to three courses per semester, which can be managed while working full time.

Students may transfer up to 6 credits of graduate coursework toward the degree when the credits were earned within the past five years; the coursework translates directly to the student's development and preparation in the M.C.M program; and if the student achieved a grade of B or above in the coursework. A syllabus for each course the student requests to transfer, along with a transfer form, must be forwarded to the program director for consideration.

In all cases, every student must earn at least 30 credits within the M.C.M. program, and a total of 36 credits must be applied to earn the degree, including transfer credits.

There are no language or mathematics requirements for this degree.

Specializations

The M.C.M. program offers seven specializations to allow students to focus on a specific area of study:

• Communication and media research
• Communication and media studies
• Digital media
• Health communication
• Leadership communication
• Public relations
• Strategic organizational communication

International Students

If you are an international student you should visit the Rutgers Global-International Student/Scholar Services website, https://global.rutgers.edu/international-scholars-students, which provides details about rules and processes on obtaining and maintaining visa status; provides required forms; offers information about orientation an international advisers; outlines rules concerning employment and internships for international students; and much more.

All international M.C.M. students ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend an orientation session before their first semester of study, or as soon thereafter as possible.

Curriculum 

M.C.M. students complete 36 credits to earn the degree. The program can be paced according to the student's schedule, with enrollment in 3-12 credits per semester. Once admitted to the M.C.M. program, students can focus on one of the seven specialization or combine specializations to focus on multiple areas of interest.

All core and elective courses in the seven specializations are taught either online and/or on campus in the evening between 6:20-9:00 p.m. on weeknights, and some are offered on weekends. Some electives are cross-listed with courses in the master of information program or the doctoral program in the school.

The office of the M.C.M. program is located in the School of Communication and Information Building, 4 Huntington Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1071.