Founded in 1987, the Master of Communication and Information Studies (MCIS) degree program provides students with knowledge and background that will enhance students' 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 provide students for doctoral level study in Communication and Media Studies following earning the MCIS degree.

MCIS 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 a variety of employment, educational, cultural, and national backgrounds with a wide variety of goals: Recent graduates of bachelor programs seeking advanced knowledge; experienced professionals seeking career advancement or career change; students bound for Ph.d. programs in Communication or Media Studies.

Focus areas of study in MCIS 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, nonprofit organizations among others. 

Mediated Communication - study of new communication technology in context and society in general including mobile communication, group and decision-making technologies, online communication,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, 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, 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.

Click here for a PDF version of the MCIS Brochure.