Applied Communication Research (MS)

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Students in USC Annenberg’s Master of Communication Management Program can pursue a STEM specialization and earn the MS Applied Communication Research.

The STEM specialization recognizes the increasing value of quantitative and other empirical methods, built on rigorous research methodologies, for professionals in the communication field.

Students pursuing this specialization will build expertise in subjects such as research, analysis, and statistics applied to communication and media fields; their professional and management contexts; audiences in legacy and newer social media and algorithmic-driven social networks.

The degree is a specialization within the Master of Communication Management, and open only to students admitted to the Communication Management program. To be considered for the specialization, students enroll in CMGT 540 : Uses of Communication Research plus one Communication Management elective in their first semester. Upon completing at least one semester, students may petition to join the STEM specialization. Approval will be based on academic performance, positive faculty evaluations, academic integrity and student conduct.

Residence

Students may pursue the MS Applied Communication Research only on a full-time basis. Full time, the specialization can be completed in two academic years; an accelerated path can be completed in one calendar year plus one semester, with approval of program directors.

Foreign Language Requirement

There are no foreign language requirements for this degree specialization.

Course Requirements

The MS Applied Communication Research requires 32 units of approved graduate-level courses.

Required Courses

All students must take a required research methods course in their first semester (CMGT 540), a required conceptual foundation course in their second semester (CMGT 501), and a required graduating capstone course (CMGT 514).

CMGT 501 Communication Management Pro-Seminar Units: 4
CMGT 514 Analytical Tools for Communication Decisions Units: 4
CMGT 540 Uses of Communication Research Units: 4

Applied Communication Research Electives

Students must take at least 8 and no more than 12 units from the following selection of Applied Communication Research electives:

CMGT 507 Information Management: Analysis and Visualization Units: 4
CMGT 513 Communication Ethics for New Media and Technology Units: 4
CMGT 564 Methodological Fundamentals of Big Data in Communication Units: 4
CMGT 571 Artificial Intelligence and Communication Technologies Units: 4
CMGT 574 Streaming Media: Data and Strategies Units: 4
CMGT 583 Social Marketing and Content: Research and Analysis Units: 4
CMGT 587 Audience Analysis Units: 4
CMGT 597a Communication Research Practicum Units: 2
CMGT 597b Communication Research Practicum Units: 2
COMM 557 Data Science for Communication and Social Networks Units: 4

Remaining Course Work

Remaining course work may be taken from other CMGT electives. Up to 4 units may be taken at USC outside the program; these cognate courses must be approved by program directors, and may be selected from a variety of disciplines, depending upon specific academic and career interests.

Additional Requirements

All master’s degree candidates in the USC Annenberg School of Communication are required to complete the Managing Complexity in Diverse Organizations (MCDO) program during their enrollment at USC. MCDO is a non-credit, professional skills-building curriculum designed to prepare students to create, sustain and thrive within increasingly complex global work environments. The program is offered online by USC Annenberg every fall, spring and summer term. USC Annenberg faculty developed this immersive, eight-week, active learning program to equip learners with the skills to collaborate with, manage and lead across teams with diverse perspectives and expertise, while supporting resilient, high-performance professional environments. Learn more about MCDO on our website.