UF to Offer Nation’s First Master’s in Public Interest Communications

Online master’s program now accepting applications.

Gainesville, Fla. Feb. 4, 2019  –  Beginning in May 2019, the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications will launch an online master’s degree with a specialization in public interest communications, the country’s only master’s program in this emerging field.

Public interest communications focuses on the development and implementation of science-based, planned strategic communication campaigns with the main goal of achieving sustained, positive social change.  

Online graduate students will develop the skills, strategies, theory and techniques required to build movements and drive positive social change using strategic communication.

“People working in the field of public interest communications often come to the work from an education in journalism or public relations, or learn from experience,” said Ann Christiano, director of the Center for Public Interest Communications. “For the first time, there’s a curriculum to prepare people for careers or further study in this field.”

Students in the program will graduate with a Master of Arts in Mass Communication specialization in Public Interest Communications. Courses offered in May include: Theory, Scholarship and Strategy for Public Interest Communications, The Art and Science of Storytelling, and Visual Design for Social Change.

Interested applicants can apply at onlinemasters.jou.ufl.edu/public-interest/.

Posted: February 4, 2019
Category: UF CJC Online Blog