Corporate & Organizational Communication
The Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication is designed to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and experiential learning opportunities required to succeed in a dynamic field.
Part-Time
Incorporating the case method, research into the latest communication trends, interactive learning formats, and experiential learning opportunities, this program addresses complex communication challenges—providing students with a distinct advantage in today’s competitive marketplace. The curriculum also reflects the transformational impact of social technologies on the communication patterns of employees, customers, investors, and other audiences. Your instructors have real-world communication experience in the private and nonprofit sectors—they have practiced what they teach.
Unique Features
- Six concentrations that align with in-demand skills needed in this profession
- A variety of experiential learning opportunities, from co-ops to consulting projects, and a capstone project for professionals
- Transfer credit is offered for up to 20% of total tuition if you have an APR, CMP, SCMP, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or HubSpot Academy certification
- Design an ePortfolio to create a personal and professional brand and synthesize learning across the curriculum
- Faculty bring real-world experience to the in-person and online classroom
Featured Concentrations
Public and Media Relations
The PR concentration features a virtual public relations firm enabling you to work on assignments for a real-world client using the HubSpot marketing platform. Read our Q&A with concentration lead Ed Powers and watch the video below for more information!
Cross-Cultural Communication
The cross-cultural communication concentration offers practical tools to successfully navigate cultural fields of interest, and gain skills to develop a cultural audit.
Read our blog post from Professor Patty Goodman about insights on cross-cultural awareness in the workplace.
Social Media
Select from courses in interactive marketing, digital branding, SEO, online customer behavior, digital marketing analytics, and social media strategy. Offered both online and on-location.
More Details
Transfer Credit Opportunities for Certifications from Professional Associations
About the transfer credit opportunities:
Why consider a Northeastern master’s degree in corporate and organizational communication? We recognize the knowledge and competencies you have demonstrated by earning the following certifications – APR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CMP, SCMP, PHR, SPHR, or HubSpot Academy Certification. As a result, credentials holders have the unique opportunity to accelerate through our program by applying their credentials in exchange for transfer credit.
- Successful applications with the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR):
- Will receive 9 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 20% saving in tuition
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 12 courses, rather than 15
- Will enjoy the convenience of a totally online, interactive curriculum
- Successful applicants with their SHRM-CP or PHR:
- Will receive 3 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 6% savings in tuition
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 14 courses, rather than 15
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following course: HRM 6015 Introduction to Human Resources Management
- Successful applicants with their SHRM-SCP or SPHR:
- Will receive 6 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 13% savings in tuition
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 13 courses, rather than 15
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following courses: HRM 6015 Introduction to Human Resources Management and HRM 6005 Creating a High-Performance Organization
- Successful applicants with these 5 HubSpot Academy certifications – Inbound, Social Media, Inbound Marketing, Content Marketing, and Email Marketing:
- Will receive 4 quarter hours of transfer credit, a 9% savings in tuition for a master’s degree – online or on-ground at our Boston campus
- Will accelerate through the degree program with one less course to complete
- Select a more advanced course aligned with the student’s career objectives
- Successful applicants who are Communication Management Professionals (CMP):
- Will receive 3 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 6% savings in tuition
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 14 courses, rather than 15
- Will enjoy the convenience of a totally online, interactive curriculum
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following course: CMN 6000 Introduction to Organizational Communication
- Successful applicants who are Senior Communication Management Professionals (SCMP):
- Will receive 6 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 13% savings in tuition
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 13 courses, rather than 15
- Will enjoy the convenience of a totally online, interactive curriculum
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following courses: CMN 6000 Introduction to Organizational Communication and CMN 6010 Strategic Communication Management
- Successful applicants for a master's degree program in the Project Management concentration with their PMP from Project Management Institute (PMI):
- Will receive 3 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 7% savings in tuition
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 14 courses, rather than 15
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following course: PJM 6000 Project Management Practices
Program Objectives
- Design a strategic approach to a wide range of communication challenges based on stakeholder analysis and a systematic planning methodology.
- Craft and deliver messages—with a heavy emphasis on digital media—that can influence the attitudes and behaviors of internal and external audiences in a wide range of organizational scenarios.
- Measure and assess the impact of communication methods and channels to help achieve organizational performance objectives.
- Apply key course concepts and communication skills gained through the curriculum to real-world projects.
Career Outlook
According to the Burning Glass Labor Insight database, the value of a graduate degree in organizational communication is very clear: 37% of hiring employers prefer or require candidates for many communication roles to have a graduate degree. Additionally, there are over 345,000 open job listings related to corporate and organizational communications.
Student Portfolios
Curious to see the work of MS in Corporate and Organizational Communication students? Click below to view two recent student portfolios that include their learning journey and how the program impacted their professional growth:
Testimonials
Carl Zangerl, Program Director
Kathleen A., Program Graduate
Jillian Porazzo, Program Graduate
Sarah Riggs, Program Graduate
Rebekah S., reflection of Developing Cultural Awareness course
Looking for something different?
Program Costs
Requirements
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
- Professional resumé
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
- English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, or NU Global Exam scores
Admissions Dates
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend following the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term.
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: September 14, 2020) | July 13, 2020 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: September 14, 2020) | August 10, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: September 14, 2020) | September 4, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: October 26, 2020) | October 16, 2020 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: January 11, 2021) | November 2, 2020 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: January 11, 2021) | December 7, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: January 11, 2021) | January 1, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: February 22, 2021) | February 12, 2021 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: April 12, 2021) | February 8, 2021 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: April 12, 2021) | March 8, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: April 12, 2021) | April 2, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: May 24, 2021) | May 14, 2021 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | May 10, 2021 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | June 7, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | July 2, 2021 |
General Requirements
Required Courses
Note: Introduction to Organizational Communication (CMN 6000) is required for students who do not have any professional experience in communication. Students with professional communication experience should begin the program with Strategic Communication Management (CMN 6010):
Complete two of the following:
Capstone
Elective Courses
Note: Students who take Introduction to Organizational Communication (CMN 6000) are only required to take two courses in this section.
Complete at least two courses:
Concentrations
Choose one from the following:
Required Courses
HRM Concentration Electives
Note: Students who take HRM 6015 select three elective courses; students waived from HRM 6015 select four elective courses:
Required Courses
Public and Media Relations Electives
Complete two of the following:
Required Courses
Leadership Electives
Complete three of the following:
Required Courses
Note: Students with project management experience are not required to take PJM 5900:
Project Management Elective
Note: Students who take PJM 5900 are not required to take a course in this section.
Complete one of the following:
Required Course
Electives
Complete 12-16 quarter hours from the following:
Required Courses
Complete 9 quarter hours from one of the following:
Social Justice Track
International Track
Please note: This curriculum is for marketing purposes only and is subject to change. Official curriculum can be found within the course catalog.
Experiential learning opportunities include:
A choice of two 12-week experiential learning capstone courses:
- An online "co-op at work" experience in which you can design a project initiative in your own workplace
- An opportunity to engage in a virtual consulting project with a sponsor in the private or nonprofit sectors and that is overseen by a faculty member
Two elective courses: A "traditional" Northeastern co-op placement for full-time students in the Boston area and an International field study course involving interdisciplinary teams collaborating on trans-national projects. Students also have the option to work virtually on six-week projects through Northeastern's Experiential Network on a not-for-credit basis.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 255,000 alumni and 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nongovernmental organizations. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional locations further foster a lifelong, global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our Communications & Journalism alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
-
Where They Work
- Boston Globe Media
- Fidelity Investments
- Harvard University
- TechTarget
- MIT
-
What They Do
- Media and Communication
- Marketing
- Business Development
- Education
- Art and Design
-
What They're Skilled At
- Social Media
- Editing
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Public Speaking
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.