Public and Organizational Relations (MA)
The Master of Arts (MA) in Public and Organizational Relations is a highly marketable credential for both aspiring and seasoned professionals who wish to advance in such fast-growing, fast-paced fields as corporate communications, public relations, healthcare communication, organizational consulting, marketing and non-profit development. The program offers a rich set of courses that address both public relations and organizational issues with opportunities to refine both conceptual and applied skill sets.
Alumni of the program have advanced professionally in corporate, nonprofit and academic careers including those in public relations, marketing, human resource management, sales, organizational consulting, broadcast media, higher education and public administration—virtually all professions and industries that value highly-developed communication skills. At the same time many graduates aspiring to academic careers go on to doctoral studies. In the School of Communication and Media, we are committed to educating the next generation of communication leaders and scholars and, thus, aim to provide one of the best masters-level experiences in the country.
Please refer to our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.
Applicants are recommended to have completed an undergraduate major from a relevant humanistic or social scientific area of study such as anthropology, broadcasting, business, communication studies, journalism, political science, psychology or sociology. The Office of Graduate Admissions requires the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to apply for a graduate program. Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the U.S. degree equivalency information.
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all of corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admission.
- Submit Online Application: Please create your online account by following the general application instructions (link) and pay the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Public and Organizational Relations (MA) program:
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- Essays/Personal Statement: Please write one integrated essay providing a response to the following questions.
- Explain why you are pursuing a MA In Public and Organizational Relations.
- Specifically describe how you think a MA in Public and Organizational Relations can help you enhance your competencies in the following four areas emphasized in the program: strategic thinking, communication skills, media savviness and leadership skills.
- Considering your personal characteristics and life experiences, clarify what you are likely to contribute to this learning community.
- Use this opportunity to address anything about yourself that the faculty should know – things that might not be included in your formal application materials, but which will help to familiarize yourself to us.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two.
- Resume: Required.
- Standardized Test Scores: GRE (see test waiver policies).
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
The program’s 33 credits may be completed full-time over four semesters or over five to six semesters part-time. Classes typically meet once a week in the evening, enabling students to maintain a daytime job. As you near completion of the program, you will have the option of writing a thesis or taking a comprehensive examination and completing an alternative project through elective coursework, that demonstrates your growth in communication competence and analytical rigor. You will also have the flexibility to pursue an independent study, if desired, or take a class outside of the school to satisfy a particular area of interest. The final semester culminates in a capstone course that explores the communication implications of today’s global environment through case studies. For more information, please visit the Public and Organizational Relations (MA) program listing in the University Catalog.
If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869
If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Public and Organizational Relations (MA) Program Coordinator:
*During the summer months, there will be a rotating department chair available to answer your inquiry. Find the updated summer chair for this program.*
Program Coordinator: Yi Luo
Office: Morehead Hall 103
Email: luoy@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973‑655‑3400