The master of communication and information studies (M.C.I.S.) program is offered by the Department of Communication, one of three departments within the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies (SCILS). The program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, and the Department of Library and Information Science.

Founded in 1987, the M.C.I.S. degree provides students with knowledge and background that will enhance their future and current careers in a broad range of professions such as management, corporate communication, health communication, human resource management, consulting, media technology management, survey and opinion research, and information management among others.

Additionally, the program is designed to prepare students for doctoral level study in communication and media studies after earning the M.C.I.S. degree.

M.C.I.S. faculty emphasize original research, cutting-edge theory, and knowledge and skills necessary to understand and manage complex communication, information, and media processes inherent to the information age.

The program draws diverse groups of students with an assortment of employment, educational, cultural, and national backgrounds with a wide variety of goals: recent graduates of bachelor's degree programs seeking advanced knowledge; experienced professionals seeking career advancement or career change; and students bound for Ph.D. programs in communication or media studies.

Focus areas of study in the M.C.I.S. program include:

Organizational Communication - study of organizational processes and interaction including organizational change, networks, interorganizational relationships, decision making, leadership, intercultural organizational relationships, mediated communication in workplace organizations, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit organizations among others.

Mediated Communication - study of new communication technology in context and society in general including mobile communication, group decision-making technologies, virtual teams, online communication, social and policy issues related to communication technology use, and adoption and use of technologies.

Health Communication - study of persuasive health campaigns, doctor-patient communication, interpersonal health interaction, and health organizations are included.

Knowledge Management - study of how people and organizations find and use information including digital libraries, organizational impact of new technology, and evaluation of information services.

Media Studies - study of the practice of media studies and the impact of media on society, politics and media, history and media, media and representation, and media technologies among others.

Social Interaction - study of the social interaction of people engaged in relationships in families, couples, and at work among others. Focus is on interpersonal dynamics, interaction style, and language among other topics.

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