Do I need an undergraduate degree in journalism or communication?
No. If you lack undergraduate journalism writing courses or professional communication experience, you will need to take writing, editing, or production skills courses. If you lack word processing, desktop publishing, and related computer skills, you'll need to develop those skills through additional course work or independent study.
What job opportunities do graduates of the M.S. program have?
Graduates of this program have worked as technical communication managers, writers/editors, public relations managers and practitioners, writers/editors for specialized publications, and public information and extension communication specialists. Graduates are also qualified for research and communication positions in almost any type of industry.
Where have your M.S. graduates found jobs?
Our graduates hold positions as public affairs/public relations specialists for major corporations and government agencies; technical writers and editors for engineering, software, chemical, and pharmaceutical firms; editors of specialized and in-house publications; and public relations/development officers for non-profit organizations. Our graduates have taken jobs with Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lucent Technologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Public Service of Colorado, Poudre Valley Health System, and many other companies and agencies.
How long will it take me to complete the M.S. program?
If you enter the program as a full time student and you have good communication skills, you can complete your degree in four semesters. If you need writing, editing, and production courses, you may need an additional semester. If you pursue your degree part time, you can complete your degree in three to four years depending on your schedule.
How can I fund my M.S. degree?
Each year, the department typically offers deserving graduate students one of 13 teaching assistantships, a varying number of research assistantships, and two annual fellowships. Other graduate students tend to fund their degrees through part-time employment and internships. Students can also apply for financial aid through Colorado State's Student Financial Services office.
Do I need my own personal computer for the M.S. program?
While the department has four laboratories equipped with personal computers, many graduate students find it convenient to have their own computers for working on assignments at home. Most of our laboratories use Microsoft's XP Windows operating system and Microsoft software, along with a host of production software including PhotoShop, Dreamwevaer, and Adobe Illustrator.
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