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Communication and Media

About Communication and Media at CSUSB

At Cal State San Bernardino, the master of arts in communication and media is a flexible, two-year program that empowers you to explore the intersections of communication, media and culture — and to tailor your studies to your interests and career goals.

You can focus your coursework in areas such as:

  • Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
  • Strategic Communication and Public Relations
  • Digital/Media Studies and Production
  • Instructional and Health Communication
  • Communication for Social Justice

Small, hands-on classes and individual faculty mentoring ensure you receive personalized guidance throughout your studies. Most courses are offered in the evenings, making this program ideal for working professionals.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be prepared to succeed as an ethical and effective communication professional, educator, or scholar in today’s media-driven world.

Careers in Communication and Media

Communication and Media students

With an M.A. in communication and media from CSUSB, you’ll be ready to thrive in a wide range of industries — from corporate communication and marketing to media production and digital strategy.

Common career paths include:

  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Marketing Manager
  • Digital Marketer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Brand Strategist
  • Media Relations Specialist
  • Graphic Designer
  • Sound Engineer
  • Digital Media Coordinator
  • Digital Advertising Specialist
  • Chief Marketing Officer
  • Writer or Editor
  • Film and Video Editor
  • Digital Editor

This versatile degree gives you the creative, analytical and strategic skills to adapt and lead in the ever-evolving world of communication and media.

Sample Courses

Media Sex and Violence

Critical and empirical examination of the practices and consequences of portraying human aggression and sexuality in the media including television, movies, music recordings, print materials, video games, and the Internet.

Communication Law and Policy

An overview of the laws, rules, and policies that govern various media sectors, with a particular emphasis on how these regulations shape the practice of media professionals.

Fundamentals of Social Media Management

Explores how organizations use social media to shape conversations about their products, services, actions, and positions. Examines issues of social media planning, campaign management and strategic communication on social media.

Meet Professor Ahlam Muhtaseb, Ph.D.

Ahlam Muhtaseb, Ph.D.
Professor of media studies Ahlam Muhtaseb has been recognized numerous times for the award-winning documentary that she co-produced and spent 10 years making.
—Ahlam Muhtaseb, Ph.D.

Opportunities for Students

Students in the M.A. in communication and media program at Cal State San Bernardino benefit from a wide range of academic, professional and community opportunities.

You can gain hands-on teaching and research experience as a Graduate Teaching Associate, Communication Consultant in the Speaking Center, or researcher in the xREAL Lab. Many students earn need- and merit-based scholarships, including the Graduate Equity Fellowship and Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship.

Our students present research at CSUSB’s Student Research Competition and Grad Slam and at major conferences like NCA and ICA. They also engage in campus leadership and community service, joining organizations such as Model United Nations, Graduate Student Society, and Coyote Pack, and helping organize events like Speak for Social Justice.

These experiences strengthen communication skills, expand professional networks, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose and creativity.

Similar to Communication and Media

With more than 50 undergraduate degress at CSUSB, we offer a variety of programs that reflect the Coyotes' passion for learning. Check out where your curiosity will take you at CSUSB.