Suffolk University

Programme overview

The program is a 36-credit Master of Arts in Communication with an Integrated Marketing Communication concentration. It blends core communication, public relations and advertising study with three graduate-level marketing courses delivered through the Sawyer Business School. Coursework emphasizes case studies, client projects, internships and other experiential learning to connect theory with practical campaign work.

What you'll study

You will learn to conduct market research and gather consumer insights, craft messaging and content for integrated campaigns, create ad copy, and apply social media analytics and other technologies to plan and influence target audiences. The curriculum covers marketing communication research methods (field observations, focus groups, surveys, consumer data analysis), advertising, public relations, content creation and crisis communication, plus Sawyer Business School topics such as digital marketing, international marketing and consumer behavior.

• Program total: 36 credits
• Structure: Core Requirements 3 credits (1 course); Electives 6 credits (2 courses); Concentration Requirements 15 credits (5 courses); Concentration Electives 12 credits (4–6 courses)
• Includes experiential elements: in-class client projects, internships, Social Media Lab work

Entry requirements

Required application materials include a completed application and $50 fee (fee waived for campus visitors), a resume, unofficial transcripts of all post-secondary work (official transcripts and proof of degree conferral required prior to first class if admitted), a goal statement, and two letters of recommendation. International applicants must submit official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE-Academic scores. Published application deadlines vary by term for international and domestic applicants, with rolling admission afterwards.

Career prospects

Graduates move into roles across advertising, public relations, corporate and nonprofit marketing, crisis communication and awareness marketing. Reported job titles and employers among recent alumni include Content Developer/Social Media Strategist (Crown Connections, LLC), Communication & Digital Content Strategist (Massachusetts General Hospital), Product Marketing Manager (ZoomInfo), Marketing Specialist (Harvard University), Social Media Account Manager (Move and Care), Video Production Assistant (Wave Collective), Account Manager (Boston Web Marketing), Assistant Director of Client Engagement, Executive Education (Chadwick Martin Bailey), Associate Researcher (Junior Achievement of Northern New England), Marketing & Project Specialist (MIT), Marketing and Communications Coordinator (Rhode Island Medical Society), and Operations Manager (SMU Cox School of Business). Internship placements have included cultural organizations, agencies, healthcare firms and businesses such as Handel + Haydn Society, José Mateo Ballet Theater, Medidata Solutions, Aveyo and Avocado Foods.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Graduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based awards of up to $18,000 at admission; no separate scholarship application is required. The program also points to additional career and professional-development services through the Center for Career Equity, Development & Success and the university Career Center.