MCM Degree Requirements

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

• Five core courses (12 credits)
• Eight elective courses (24 credits)

Choose from among seven specializations. You may transfer up to six credits of graduate coursework from another program if you meet the MCM graduate transfer requirements. We require all our students to earn 30 credits within the program. To request transfer credit, submit the Transfer Form to MCM 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.

We welcome all international MCM 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

These five courses fulfill the MCM Program Core requirements. All MCM students are required to take these courses (12 credits) regardless of their specialization.

• 17:194:508 ePortfolio* See our video on the ePortfolio course 
• 17:194:5XX Communication Ethics (548) or Digital Media Ethics (594)*
• 17:194:513 MCM Graduate Experience (0 credit/tuition course, 3 Hour Live Workshop)
• 17:194:5XX Communication Research (514) or Media Research (556)*
• 17:194:519 Capstone Seminar*

*If you’re specializing in Digital Media, take Digital Media Ethics and Media Research. All others would take Communication Ethics and Communication Research. The program also differentiates the Capstone course to allow students to work on papers or projects related to their specialization. Those students specializing in Communication and Media Research are not required to enroll in ePortfolio (508).

Course Sequencing:

• Enroll in 17:194:513 MCM Graduate Experience in your first MCM semester.
• Enroll in 17:194:508 ePortfolio in your first MCM year.
• Enroll in the Research class in the second semester of the first MCM year.
• Enroll in 17:194:519 Capstone Seminar in your last semester in the program before your expected graduation date.

MCM Specialization Core Courses:

The MCM program offers you the opportunity to focus your studies in areas of professional or research interests. There are seven areas of specialization and each specialization has two or three core courses and recommended electives.

MCM 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:

• Research Practicum: Work with faculty in executing cutting-edge research projects.
• Teaching Assistants: Work as assistants to a professor in a course related to your study.
• 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.