Media Masters Programs

Shape the future of communication. Sharpen your view of modern communication by examining media through quantitative and social-scientific lenses. Earn an MS in Media Science to become a better storyteller by understanding how messages affect their audiences. Concentrate in Marketing Communication Research to solve client problems with data-driven insights into consumer behavior. Or pursue an MA in Emerging Media Studies to explore the very frontiers of media—including AR, VR, and the Metaverse.

In each program, you’ll build analytical skills and apply them through internships, research, thesis projects, and more.

  • 3 semesters
  • No GRE required
  • Merit scholarships available
  • Eligible for the OPT STEM extension

MS in Media Science

Learn how messages affect audiences so you can better create, share, and evaluate media. Specialize in health, marketing, or political campaigns as you prepare for careers in media strategy, advertising, PR, marketing, social advocacy, and beyond.

MS in Marketing Communication Research

Uncover the “why” behind consumer behavior and media effects through advanced research. Create data-driven marketing strategies for real clients. Ideal for careers in consumer insights, UX research, strategic planning, and analytics.

MA in Emerging Media Studies

Study how emerging technologies impact communication and society. Hone your research and analysis skills and apply them in a year-long client project. Graduates work in UX, digital marketing, media strategy, and market research.

Samantha Middleton smiling portrait.

Future-Proof Your Career

From health to entertainment, media touches nearly every area of life. Job postings that require data analysis skills have risen by 30% since 2020 (WifiTalents, 2025). Position yourself for success with the media strategy and analysis skills to deliver messages that matter.

“I knew that I was entering a workforce where I would be surrounded by rapidly changing technology and media. As I knew I wanted to go into an industry that required me to be as knowledgeable as possible about those changes, I was looking for guidance as to how to learn as much as I could before I was able to be in a position to become a subject matter expert in my career.”

Samantha Middleton, MA in Emerging Studies, Director of Project Management at Digitas Health

Woman speaking in front of a screen.

Career Outcomes

BU COM media grads work as marketing managers, UXR and research analysts, brand and consumer insights managers, editors, professors, and in other roles across a wide range of industries.

Alumni employers include:

• Amazon
• Apple
• Edelman
• IBM
• Google
• Hubspot
• Lenovo
• Meta
• Microsoft
• Target
• TikTok

And more.