MHCI Degree Requirements

Attention
The Master of Health Communication and Information program is no longer accepting applications. If you are interested in health specialization, please visit our health communication concentration within the Master of Communication and Media program.

The MHCI program is self-paced and consists of 36 credits:

  • Five core courses (15 credits)
  • Two research courses (6 credits)
  • Five elective courses (15 credits)

You may transfer up to six credits of graduate coursework from another program if you meet the MHCI graduate transfer requirements. We require all our students to earn 30 credits within the program. To request transfer credit, submit the Transfer Form to MHCI Director Richard Dool.

Most students finish the program in 18-24 months although some complete it within 15 months. There are no language or mathematics requirements.

International Students

We welcome all international MHCI students and strongly encourage you to attend an orientation session before or early in your first semester of study. Visit Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for advice and specific details on:

  • U.S. immigration regulations and compliance
  • Immigration application processing
  • Orientation
  • Cross-cultural programming
  • Advocacy
  • Outreach
  • International advisers
  • Rules concerning employment and internships

MHCI Program Core Courses

These five courses fulfill the MHCI Program Core requirements. All MHCI students are required to take these courses (15 credits):

  • Health Communication
  • Mediated Health Communication
  • Health Communication Campaigns
  • Health Sciences Information
  • Interpersonal Facets of Health Communication

These two courses fulfill the MHCI Program research requirement (6 credits)

  • Community Engaged Research
  • 17:194:519 Capstone

These are a sampling of MHCI electives of which five must be taken (15 credits):

  • Patient Provider Communication
  • Persuasion and Advocacy
  • Organizational Communication
  • Information and Communication Project Management 
  • Information and Community Engagement
  • Communicating Emotion
  • Communication and Society
  • Family Communication
  • Non-Profit Leadership & Communication
  • Communication Ethics
  • Conflict Management
  • Negotiation and Communication
  • Cross Cultural Communication
  • Health Literacy: Patients, Organizations and Societies
  • Science and Health Journalism
  • Social Responsibility and Community Wellness
  • Internship Experiences

Course Sequencing:

  • Enroll in the Research class in the second semester of the first MHCI year.
  • Enroll in 17:194:519 Capstone Seminar in your last MHCI semester

Experiential Learning Option

MHCI students have the option to take up to six credits of supervised experiential learning. Grades are assigned based on student self-evaluation and supervisor evaluation done by the practitioner or faculty member. You may complete this requirement in your local area or through online opportunities. Options include:

  • Internship in businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and/or Rutgers units/departments. You cannot intern at your place of employment.

(150 hours for 3 credits)

  • Practicum: Work with faculty in executing cutting-edge research projects.
  • Fellowship: You can apply and may be selected as Fellows in the Johnson & Johnson Fellowship program. Six of the credits earned in this program may be applied to degree requirements. Fellows have tuition paid and receive a stipend.
  • Projects: Unique projects related to your profession or for a selected organization.