Why Choose CSU
Graduate studies in the Department of Journalism and Media Communication at CSU applies a hands-on teaching philosophy, meaning your work and your voice will matter in the classroom, the community, and beyond. Our mix of expertise in research and professional practice helps you identify specializations that match your strengths and interests.
Graduate Programs
What can I do in a Graduate Program?
Take your experience and credentials to the next level by joining our diverse community of scholars, media creators, journalists, and professional communicators in our graduate programs. Advance your understanding of evidence- and theory-based approaches to communication fields via coursework, collaboration with exceptional faculty and peers, and an academic or applied, scholarly project.
Our diverse faculty specialize in different areas of media communication. We regularly host colloquia and seminars to introduce students to a variety of media topics, creating a more holistic understanding of the discipline. Graduate students also receive opportunities to hone their teaching skills in the classroom, participate in scholarly research with faculty, and present their work.
Career Outcomes for Graduate Studies
Graduates from our M.S. program hold positions in:
- Public affairs/public relations and communication specialists for major corporations and government agencies
- Technical communicators for agricultural, engineering, software, chemical, and pharmaceutical firms
- Editors of specialized and in-house publications
- Public relations and development officers for non-profit organizations
- Communication specialists for colleges and universities
Positions of our Ph.D. graduates in industry include:
- Director of Research
- Principal UX Researcher
- Business Affairs consultant
- Assistant Professor
- Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Course Instructor
- Project Coordinator
- Public Health Practitioner
Campus Resources & Partnerships
Colorado State University and the JMC department are dedicated to supporting graduate students. Department faculty, partnerships with other academic units, and university and department facilities help equip students for success both inside and outside of the classroom.
TILT and the Graduate Teaching Certificate Program
Programs and resources at Colorado State University’s Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) are available to help graduate students improve their teaching expertise. Annually, TILT offers an orientation for graduate teaching assistants that outlines expectations and provides strategies for teaching, assessment, and academic integrity issues.
Graduate teaching assistants can also earn a Graduate Teaching Certificate through TILT. This flexible certificate program enables students to formalize their training by completing an internship and a series of workshops on teaching and classroom management issues.
Opportunities in our Community
CSU and Fort Collins offers a broad range of campus and community connected activities, clubs, resources, and facilities.
Graduate Student Stories
Having a Ball With Leadership and Rams Athletics | Kathleen Pitre (M.S., ’04)
Raised in Fort Collins to a family of die-hard Rams fans, Kathleen Pitre (B.A., ’00; M.S., ’04) has always been "green and gold from the word go," and makes it a point to stay until the very last second of every home Rams game. While she loves the thrill of the game, it's CSU and its community that keeps her so closely connected to her alma mater.
A Kinship with the Colorado River | Michael Elizabeth Sakas (M.S., '23)
Sakas shares a unique kinship with the Colorado River. Not just because she is one of the 40 million people who rely on it for drinking water, but because for most of her professional career she has come to know the river intimately. Now, she's poised to help protect it.
Graduate students awarded $21K in awards for research and creativity at the 2023 GradShow | Sarah Kubiak
Colorado State University graduate students presented their creative work, research, and entrepreneurship while competing for nearly $21,000 in scholarships during the 2023 GradShow on Nov. 15. Participants represented Special Academic Units and all eight colleges.
