Curriculum

The program focuses on developing critical thinking, collaboration, ethical judgment, reasoning, persuasion, writing, and complex problem-solving. Students master an approach to solving problems and/or assessing opportunities that is research driven, analytical, and results in strategic insights from which communications solutions can be developed that achieve business objectives in the corporate, nonprofit, or government arenas.

Graduates will be able to:

• target and segment audiences and appreciate that the attitudes, emotions, and behavior of audiences are the foundation for understanding how to approach effective communications solutions;
• recognize and apply, in a relevant and integrated way, the full array of communications tools to reach an audience with impact, and propose a strategy for measurement;
• construct fact-based, logical, and persuasive arguments to defend their insight, analysis, and proposed solution, and express their thinking clearly, concisely, and compellingly, in writing and orally;
• create original and effective communications strategies and tactical plans to achieve the stated business objectives of organizations.

The full-time graduate program demands a serious commitment of time and energy. It is possible for students to hold a part-time position while completing the program, but missing class meetings is not advisable. The coursework is challenging, engaging, and exciting, and the demands can be intense. Successful students are adept at time management, able to sustain disciplined study habits throughout the term, and capable of thoughtfully covering a substantial amount of course material every week.

Courses take place during the day, evening and on specific Saturdays. Class meetings vary; some are two hours long, others three or four. Summer internships will depend on the individual needs of the firm where a student is interning. For their internships, students identify interests and research firms and opportunities. Columbia's extensive network of contacts in the field—and the industry's familiarity with the excellence of Columbia's graduates—provides students with a wide range of high-quality possibilities, from public relations or brand strategy agencies to corporate communications departments or major nonprofits.

“We are working with actual firms, actual companies. We test our skills in the real world environment. While searching for a graduate program—because I looked through many of them—I never found one that even came close to offering what the Columbia Communications Practice program offers.”Paul Plumerl, Jr.,
Class of 2011

Degree candidates are also strongly advised to take advantage of the seminars and workshops to further develop their skills and career advancement opportunities. Students should be prepared to spend 15-20 hours outside of class every week in order to complete assigned readings, work on projects, and participate in meetings with work groups.

Students can expect to graduate in four terms, progressing through the program in a single cohort. However, if a situation arises where a student must leave for the semester, under certain circumstances, it may be possible to resume the following year. In order to receive the master's degree in Communications Practice, students must complete all requirements of the degree in four terms (including a summer internship) with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better.

Examples of positions for which graduates of the Communications Practice program will be prepared:

• Research analyst
• Agency account executive
• Strategic Communications associate
• Marketing assistant
• Press associate
• Director of communications at a small non-profit
• Junior publicist
• Staff writer
• Brand assistant
• Marketing communications coordinator/assistant
• Project management assistant
• Media planner
• Integrated communications planner/coordinator
• Events planner/coordinator