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Master of Arts in Media and Strategic Communication

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Academics / Departments & Programs / Communication / Academics / Master of Media and Strategic Communication

Master of Media and Strategic Communication

Degree Overview

Are you interested in applied communications careers like advertising, public relations, and multimedia journalism? The MMSC’s unique combination of training in both communication strategy and media-making practice can help you achieve a competitive edge.

No media production experience? No problem! The program begins with an 8-week “Basics of Media Production” course to get you up to speed.

Significant media experience but you’re not sure how to use it? Great! In the MMSC you’ll harness your creativity by building strategies to reach your audience, craft messages for different platforms, and evaluate their effectiveness. Gain the skills you need to communicate with power and integrity in an ever-changing world. Join us!

The MMSC is currently offered on-campus and is accepting applications for fall starts on a rolling basis.

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Program Distinctives

Set your own pace - Take courses both online and in the classroom, at a pace that fits your schedule. You can earn your master's degree from Calvin in as little as one year.
Ask important questions - Your classes are taught by committed Christian professors who will challenge you to think through tough questions about ethics in communication careers. You'll learn to advocate for the people, communities, and businesses you serve.
Gain real-world experience - You’ll apply what you’re learning through participation in Skylight, our student-run creative media agency, working with experienced professionals to create strategies and content for real clients.

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Degree Information

Graduate Degree
  • Courses
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  • Other Details

    Frequently asked questions

    Tuition, program costs, and financial aid

    What is the cost of the program?
    Students accepted into the program will be charged a fee per credit hour for a total of 32 credit hours. The fee for the 2022–2023 academic year is $660/credit.

    Can I apply for financial aid?
    Yes. All U.S. graduate students are eligible for up to $20,500 in federal loan aid. Students seeking loan aid must complete the FAFSA form and are encouraged to consult with a Calvin financial aid officer before starting the program.

    Are scholarships available?
    At this time, there are no scholarships available for this program.

    Can I get a discount if I live in-state?
    No, the cost of the program is the same for all students regardless of where a student resides.

    What is the typical cost of course materials?
    Costs vary, but students can expect to spend an average of $50–$100 per course on textbooks.

    Will I need to pay a student service or wellness fee?
    Yes, the service fee is $103 per semester.

    Scheduling and requirements

    Who can apply for this program?
    Students may apply to the program after completing a four-year degree at an accredited academic institution. A cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate education is required for admittance to the program.

    When is my application due?
    Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

    How long do I have to complete the program?
    The program may be completed full-time in one year or part-time in as little as two years. All students are required to complete the program within a maximum of four years from enrollment.

    How many credit hours are required?
    This is a 32 credit hour program.

    What courses do I need to take?
    Please refer to the "Courses" tab above for required courses and descriptions.

    When do classes take place?
    At this time, all in-person courses will be offered in the evening.

    How many credit hours do I need to take to be considered full-time?
    Students taking 9–14 hours per semester are considered full-time.

    How long does it take to complete the program if I attend full-time?
    A full-time student can complete the program in one year.

    Can I be a part-time student?
    Absolutely. Our goal is to make this program accessible and convenient for all students. Each student will be assigned an advisor who will work with them to design the best schedule to address both the program requirements and the student’s unique needs.

    How long will it take to complete the program if I go part-time?
    In the spring of 2022, term-length will shift from 16-weeks per term to 8-weeks. This change will allow part-time students to take two courses per semester. At that pace, part-time students will be able to complete the program within two years. Students beginning before the spring of 2022, may take up to 3 years to complete the program.

    What type of schedule do the courses follow? How many weeks for each course?
    Beginning in spring 2022, our courses will follow an 8-week intensive schedule, other than COMM 530, which follows the traditional 16 week semester schedule.

    How can I make sure I am signing up for the right courses at the right time?
    Each student will be assigned an advisor who will work with them to design the best schedule to address both the program requirements and their unique needs.

  • Admission

    Who can apply?

    Students can apply after finishing a four-year degree at an accredited academic institution. You'll also need a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate education for admission.

    Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

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    Admission Requirements

    1. Complete the online application
    2. Submit current resumé Include as part of online application, or after application submission from your application status page.
    3. Submit two professional recommendations Provide contact information for recommenders as part of online application. Recommenders will submit recommendations directly to Calvin.
    4. Optional: Submit a demo reel, portfolio, or work sample Include links or files as part of online application, or after application submission from your application status page.
    5. Submit the following additional deliverables by email, or mail to Calvin University admissions (see contact information below):
      • Official transcripts from each college or university attended
      • Email to mmsc@calvin.edu Mail Calvin University Admissions, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
    6. See additional requirements for international students

    Request Information

    If you're not ready to apply, let us know you're interested and we'll keep you in the loop.

    I'm Interested

    You're also encouraged to email us if you want to discuss this program further. We look forward to meeting you soon. Email mmsc@calvin.edu

  • Careers

    Use your degree to thrive as a(n):

    • Advertising executive/planner
    • Advertising, promotions, and marketing manager
    • Content manager
    • Digital marketing manager
    • Editor
    • Film and video editors and camera operator
    • Multimedia journalist and more
    • Public relations specialist
    • Social media manager
  • Courses

    Program Requirements

    (32-34 total credit hours)

    • COMM 500: Basics of Media Production (1 credit hour)
    • COMM 501: Media Production Studio (2-4 credit hours)
    • COMM 510: Storytelling Across Media Platforms (3 credit hours)
    • COMM 511: Audience Research & Analytics (4 credit hours)
    • COMM 512: Communication Ethics (2 credit hours)
    • COMM 513: Communication Law (2 credit hours)
    • COMM 520: Advanced Public Relations (3 credit hours)
    • COMM 521: Advanced Advertising (3 credit hours)
    • COMM 522: Multimedia Journalism (3 credit hours)
    • COMM 539: Master's Project Proposal (1 credit hours)
    • COMM 540: Master's Project (2 credit hours)
    • COMM 550: Skylight Media Agency (3 credit hours)
    • COMM 551: Slylight Production Studio (2 credit hours)

Cutting-edge facilities

At Calvin, you'll have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities—everything from extensive digital editing suites to production studios to several theaters. Learn more »

Video production facility
A film camera pointing at the stage

Take the next step

Ready to learn more about how Calvin's master of arts in media and strategic communication can hone your skills and expand your career options? Let us know—we'll be in touch!

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