In Short
Social media skills are in high demand across various industries, including marketing, public relations, media, entertainment, and corporate communications. In the Master of Science in Applied Communication with a concentration in Social Media at Fitchburg State University, you gain experience with the latest trends, tools, and best practices to thrive in these areas and beyond. Create social media campaigns and marketing using the tools and skills you develop in class, applying what you learn in real time.
The MS in Applied Communication online program at Fitchburg State equips you with:
- An applied understanding of social media theories and practices.
- Expertise in the design and management of social media content.
- The knowledge to apply quantitative and qualitative communication research methods and integrated social media marketing skills.
- The ability to design and execute social media campaigns.
- Effective data visualization and multimedia presentation skills.
- A core understanding of intercultural communication competency in the social media context.
- Specialized knowledge in social media that can lead to career advancement.
Earn your degree in as little as two years! Explore the program to find out more.
Social Media Master's Degree Program Overview
Designed around rigorous academic standards, our 100% online, accelerated master’s in Applied Communication with a concentration in Social Media meets career training goals for employment in the industry.
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Program Length
Depending on their goals and schedule, students may complete the program in as few as two years or as many as six years.
Learn From the Experts
Our faculty includes experienced communication media practitioners and a community of scholars drawn from a wide variety of interests in the field — from visual literacy to graphic design and from media history to communication law and ethics. Fitchburg State University educators provide mentorship and support to students so they can find success during graduate studies and after graduation.
Graduate Capstone Projects
Students are required to do a capstone project during their final semester. These hands-on projects allow students to apply theories and skills learned within the program to a real world project. Read about some of our recent capstone projects below.
Harriet Nana Yaa Opoku
Collaboration between social media influencers and nonprofit organizations' social campaigns: An autoethnography
While there is a plethora of research done on the impact of social media influencers on business and nonprofit organization’s campaigns, there is a lack of information regarding those who create the content. This study is framed as an autoethnography, as Opoku describes her personal experience creating content with a social media influencer for a social media campaign she developed for an international nonprofit organization UNICEF- Ghana as a case study.
The Breaking Barriers (#ProtectTheGirlChildInNorthernGhana) Campaign is a six-week pilot social media initiative promoting UNICEF Ghana's core mission, which seeks to strengthen the country's child protection system (Akesson & Mfoafo-M'Carthy, 2024). This campaign uses a social media influencer strategy. Wiyaala, an influencer, was chosen to participate in this study by collaborating in the campaign to share her story online and encourage other women from her background in the Northern sector of Ghana to do the same. These shared stories will inspire young girls to aspire to more significant achievements, showing them that others from their region have succeeded. The campaign's goal is to confront and dismantle the systemic and cultural barriers that hinder the progress and well-being of young girls within the five northern regions of Ghana.
Marion Goodwin
Strengthening Community Engagement at German International School Boston through Social Media
This capstone project examined the impact of social media on community engagement at German International School Boston (GISB), with a particular focus on the social media campaign “GISB Spotlight: People, Moments, Memories.” The project explored how strategically curated content – including testimonials, reels, and videos featuring GISB community members – could strengthen the relationship between the school and its stakeholders. The campaign aimed to foster a deeper connection with current families while attracting prospective students and their families by showcasing the school’s vibrant community and memorable moments.
Careers in Social Media With a Master’s Degree
Students in the online Applied Communication, Social Media master’s degree program develop skills in various social media platforms, analytics tools, content creation, and digital marketing strategies — making them highly qualified for sought-after mid- and senior-level positions.
Understanding how to build and maintain a brand’s presence on social media is a crucial skill, along with the ability to form engaging and creative content that resonates with audiences. These proficiencies make students competitive job candidates and help them advance in their current roles.
Our graduates achieve positions as:
- Brand manager
- Communications manager
- Communications specialist
- Director of media relations
- Marketing manager/director
- Public relations director
- Social media manager
Fitchburg State University students also benefit from the support of the Career Services and Advising Center, which can provide assistance with résumé writing, job search, networking, and more.
Admissions Requirements
To apply for enrollment in the online Master of Science in Applied Communication, Social Media concentration program, students must:
- Submit a graduate application and $50 fee.
- Hold a BS/BA degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Send official transcripts of graduate-level coursework from a regionally accredited institution (if applicable).
- Submit a professional résumé.
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
Note: We do not require MAT or GRE scores.
Fitchburg State University reviews completed applications on a rolling admission basis.
International Student Admissions
We welcome international student applications. Those whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Fitchburg State University requires a minimum score of 550 on the written exam or 79 on the internet version of the exam.
Additionally, if you're an international applicant and/or you completed a degree outside of the United States, we require you to complete a transcript credential evaluation.
Tuition and Fees
Fitchburg State aims to make education accessible by focusing on affordability and connecting students with comprehensive financial aid options. Learn more about tuition and begin planning for your future.
Hear from our Students
Joana Dos Santos, '17
Tanya Hoos Crowley, '21
Requirements and Curriculum
The 36-credit online MS in Communication and Social Media offers a unique curriculum developed to give marketing and communication professionals the tools to execute social media strategies. Students discover how to connect with and engage a target audience, all while authentically driving the brand narrative.
Social media communication is an ever-evolving field, so students in our program learn to critically conceptualize social media within historical and social contexts. This empowers them with a comprehensive knowledge of digital transformations over time and the expertise to lead effectively in periods of rapid change.
By identifying and assessing the ethical use of social media, students build informed judgments about their work and the projects they will complete for future clients. The collection, analysis, and contextualization of research findings can also help students make data-based decisions that drive intended outcomes.
The Social Media master’s degree program culminates in a capstone course, during which students conceive, propose, design, and then incrementally produce a term-length project with (or within) an organization, a community, or perhaps even a social movement.
Explore the course catalog to learn more or download the Two-Year Course Rotation (PDF)
Core courses:
COMM 7005 - Communication Ethics
COMM 7008 - Visual Communication and Design
COMM 8009 - Intercultural Communication Competence
COMM 9022 - Quantitative Research Methods
COMM 9023 - Qualitative Research Methods
Social Media concentration courses:
COMM 7006 - New and Emerging Media
COMM 7007 - Social Mobilities
COMM 7018 - Social Media Theory
COMM 8021 - Integrated Social Media
COMM 8114 - Social Media Marketing
COMM 9025 - Data and Analytics
Capstone:
COMM 9970 - Capstone
Applied Communication, Social Media Concentration students will be able to:
- Critically conceptualize social media within historical and social contexts
- Identify and assess the ethical implications of social media uses
- Collect and analyze research data, and contextualize research findings
- Design, plan, monitor, manage, evaluate and revise social media content and campaigns
Still have questions? We're here to help!
You can conveniently get the answers you need through one of three ways to contact us. We look forward to hearing about your goals and sharing how the online master’s degree in Applied Communication and Social Media can help you achieve them.
- Email an enrollment counselor at gce@fitchburgstate.edu or call 978.665.3182
- Attend an Information Session
- Watch a webinar
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