Admission Guidelines
More information on what you will need in order to apply for the Master of Mass Communication program.
Classes
Students take 36 hours of coursework, which includes a practicum with an advertising or public relations agency or some other approved organization.
As a student, you will take courses in research methods, strategic communication, media law, management, and new technologies.
You will also take a number of electives either in the journalism school or other USC colleges, which allows you to tailor your degree toward your career goal.
Practicums
A practicum is an internship-like experience that combines field experience and academic activities. The practicum is a core requirement for the MMC program, and students typically take part in this experience after completing other course work. Students work a total of 300 hours (or 20 hours a week for 15 weeks) at a professional organization during their practicum.
Some places where students have done their practicums in the past include the United Nations Department of Public Information in New York, WOLO-TV and WIS-TV in Columbia, the Media Relations Office of Auburn Athletics at Auburn University, NBC News in Charlotte, BMW Manufacturing, Palmetto Health Foundation, Cohn & Wolfe, Liz Lapidus Public Relations in Atlanta, and more.
Careers
Some students turn their practicums into full-time jobs after graduation, while others take the skills and knowledge gained during their practicum to pursue a different path.
Our MMC students have been highly successful in finding meaningful work after finishing our program. For example, recent graduates have gone on to work with organizations such as APCO Worldwide, United Way, the American Red Cross, the Tampa Bay Rays, Fox Sports in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, WCBS-TV in Charleston, the San Francisco Chronicle, USC Athletics, Fleishman Hillard, and more.
Specific jobs students have gained after graduating with their MMC include Social Media Community Manager for Main Street Hub in Austin, TX, Communications Director for a Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives, Digital Lead Advertising Account Executive for The McClatchy Company, Carolina News Producer for WIS-TV, Employee Engagement Manager for MGM Resorts International, and many others.
Degree Requirements
Our students complete 12 courses for a total of 36 hours*, divided into three parts. To complete the M.M.C. program students will also complete a practicum and written exams.
M.M.C. Required Courses (21 hours):
- Research Methods in Mass Communication
- Media Law
- Issues in Mass Communication Management
- Strategic Communication Principles
- Strategic Communication Strategies
- Strategic Communication Campaigns
- Practicum in Mass Communication Management (working with an organization or agency in their chosen field.)
Other recommended electives (15 hours) such as:
- Organizational Communication
- Marketing Management
- PR Management
- Crisis Communications
- Public Relations Theory
- International Mass Communications
- New Technologies and the Mass Media
- Seminar in Health, Science, and Media
- Ethics: Public Relations and Public Policy
- Public Opinion and Persuasion
- Other courses as approved
*At least 18 hours should be 700 level courses
Written Examination
A four-hour written exam based on the core classes.