MS in Health Communication

Contact

For contact information, please visit the Metropolitan College website.

Offered in collaboration with Boston University College of Communication

The online Master of Science (MS) in Health Communication program teaches students to understand the complexities of important healthcare issues and communicate them in a way both the media and the public can understand.

The multidisciplinary curriculum focuses on how to implement effective communication campaigns, tackle tough healthcare issues, and provide valuable information to the media, the public, and other critical stakeholders. Students in the program gain leadership skills in the emerging fields of healthcare marketing, public relations, health literacy, crisis management, and social marketing.

Geared toward professionals with a background in healthcare, public relations, journalism, marketing communication, or public health education, the online Master of Science in Health Communication can be completed in as few as 18 months of part-time study. The interactive, online format includes lectures and debates, videos, interactive animation, discussion boards, and more.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply basic public relations and marketing theories and principles to the practice of health communication.
  • Employ communication strategy, methods, and technology to communicate information, influence audiences, or affect change on health-related topics and issues.
  • Evaluate the value and significance of traditional, social, and emerging digital media practice in the health communication field.
  • Demonstrate awareness and understanding of ethical and socially responsible health communication practices and strategies, and knowledge of the Code of Ethics as defined by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
  • Articulate the role that communication plays in the healthcare industry.
  • Interpret and apply basic communication research fundamentals to the field of health communication.
  • Analyze, synthesize, interpret, and present health and scientific information using clear and concise messaging for public consumption.

Admissions Information

For current admissions information, please visit the Metropolitan College website.

Benefits for APR Holders

MSHC applicants who have previously earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) are eligible upon admission to waive two of the program’s required courses—the equivalent of 8 credit hours. In recognition of demonstrated expertise in strategic communication and ethical standards, bearers of the APR credential may be granted exemptions from Contemporary Public Relations (MET HC 756) and Media Relations for Health Communicators (MET HC 758).

Academic Standing

Students in the MS in Health Communication program must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing and to graduate. No grade below B– in any course may be applied toward the degree. Students with grade point averages below 3.0 will be on academic probation and must be in a position to achieve a 3.0 within the 40 required credit hours for graduation or be subject to dismissal.

Degree Requirements

The MS in Health Communication consists of 10 courses for a total of 40 credits:

  • MET HC 750 The American Healthcare System for Health Communicators
  • MET HC 751 Introduction to Epidemiology for Health Communicators
  • MET HC 752 The Biology of Disease
  • MET HC 755 Contemporary Healthcare Marketing
  • MET HC 756 Contemporary Public Relations
  • MET HC 757 Interactive Marketing Communications
  • MET HC 758 Media Relations for Health Communicators
  • MET HC 759 Health Communication
  • MET HC 760 Research Methods for Health Communicators
  • MET HC 761 Advanced Writing for Health Communicators

With advisor approval, students may replace up to two eligible courses (MET HC 755, MET HC 756, MET HC 757, MET HC 758, MET HC 760) with up to two of the following Visual & Digital Health Communication courses:

  • MET HC 762 Visual Communication in the Digital Health Age
  • MET HC 763 Social Media Strategies and Tactics for Health Communicators

Students who wish to complete the Graduate Certificate in Visual & Digital Health Communication as well as the Master of Science in Health Communication must take all 12 courses listed above to receive both credentials.