{"id":28733,"date":"2021-04-27T13:57:57","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T17:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/?post_type=bu-program-page&#038;p=28733"},"modified":"2026-07-15T11:23:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:23:03","slug":"ms-in-media-science-marketing-communication-research","status":"publish","type":"bu-program-page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/programs\/media-science\/ms-in-media-science-marketing-communication-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Master\u2019s in Marketing Communication Research Concentration: Media Science Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-group-fullwidth has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h4>Program notes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>No GRE required<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/tuition-scholarships-aid\/\">Merit scholarships are available<\/a>, and no additional application is needed<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/tuition-scholarships-aid\/tuition-living-expenses\/\">View tuition and estimated living expenses<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Current BU students &amp; alumni: learn about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/double-terrier-scholarship\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/double-terrier-scholarship\/\">Double Terrier scholarship<\/a><\/li><li>International students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/bu-com.cas.myliaison.com\/\">Apply now<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/prospective-graduate-student-events\/\">upcoming info sessions<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3>What is marketing communication research?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Marketing Communication Research helps organizations make smarter communication decisions. By combining consumer behavior, audience research, analytics, and strategic communication, you&#8217;ll uncover the insights behind how people think, make decisions, and respond to messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every campaign, product launch, and communication strategy begins with the same questions: Which audience should we reach? Which messages resonate most\u2014and why? What influences purchasing decisions? Whether you\u2019re a looking to advance in your current field, pivot into a career in consumer insights, or are a recent college graduate, you&#8217;ll learn how to answer those questions through quantitative and qualitative research, then translate your findings into communication strategies organizations can act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Why study Marketing Communication Research at BU?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-1.jpg\" alt=\"Two young women seated at table while reviewing copy.\" class=\"wp-image-41428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-1-636x424.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-1-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Turn data into decisions.<\/strong> Learn the quantitative and qualitative research methods used to understand consumer behavior, evaluate communication, and develop strategic recommendations.  Add an optional Data Analytics certificate to deepen your technical expertise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"525\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-2.jpg\" alt=\"Hands typing on a laptop keyboard.\" class=\"wp-image-41429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-2-636x417.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-2-768x504.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Become fluent in consumer intelligence<\/strong>. Research is only valuable when people know how to use it. At BU, you&#8217;ll learn how to translate consumer insights into communication strategies that influence campaigns, brands, products, and organizational decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-3.jpg\" alt=\"Two women presenting in front of a small group of people. \" class=\"wp-image-41430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-3-636x424.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-3-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/02\/ms-marcom-research-promo-3-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Launch a career in consumer insights.<\/strong> Our graduates build careers as Product Managers, Consumer Insights Analysts, Brand Strategists, Market Research Managers, and Marketing Analytics Specialists at organizations including Google, TikTok, Visa, Nestl\u00e9, Clorox, and Sony. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>What can you do with a Marketing Communication Research degree?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Organizations don&#8217;t need more data\u2014they need people who know how to turn research into strategic communication decisions. That&#8217;s exactly what Marketing Communication Research graduates do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than 90% of alumni report working in their field. Graduates translate consumer research into communication strategies that shape campaigns, strengthen brands, improve customer experiences, and guide organizational decision-making across technology, retail, healthcare, finance, consulting, and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Alumni career spotlights<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduates build careers where consumer research informs communication strategy and shapes organizational decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Consumer insights + analytics:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><em>Product Manager<\/em> at <strong>TikTok<sup><\/sup><\/strong><\/li><li><em>Sr. Data Science Manager<\/em> at <strong>Visa<\/strong><\/li><li><em>Senior Research Analyst (Research &amp; Strategy)<\/em> at <strong>Sony Electronics<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Strategy + user research:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><em>UX Researcher<\/em> at <strong>Google<sup><\/sup><\/strong><\/li><li><em>Associate Director (Marketing Insights and Strategy)<\/em> at <strong>The Clorox Company<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Leadership + innovation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><em>Director (Consumer Insights and Front End Innovation)<\/em> at <strong>Nestl\u00e9 Coffee Partners<sup><\/sup><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4>Additional career opportunities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Core functional roles:<\/strong> Brand Strategist \u2022 Consumer Insights Manager \u2022 Market Research Analyst \u2022 Marketing Analytics Manager \u2022 UX Researcher \u2022 Consumer Insights Director \u2022 Research Consultant \u2022 Research Director \u2022 Research Analyst \u2022 Data Analyst \u2022 Market Research Specialist \u2022 Management Analyst<\/li><li><strong>Executive + academic milestones:<\/strong> Graduates have gone on to become founders, CEOs, corporate vice presidents, and university faculty.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4>Graduate employers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Technology + finance:<\/strong> <em>Google, TikTok, Sony Electronics, Tencent, Visa, Fidelity Investments, Allstate<\/em><\/li><li><strong>Consumer brands:<\/strong> <em>Nestl\u00e9 Coffee Partners, The Clorox Company, SharkNinja<\/em><\/li><li><strong>Research + analytics:<\/strong> <em>Nielsen, Tiger Analytics, Lieberman, Digitas<\/em><\/li><li><strong>Industry Footprint:<\/strong> Graduates also work in boutique research firms, specialized consumer insights consultancies, nonprofits, and public policy organizations.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>What you\u2019ll learn: the consumer insights curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To graduate from the <meta charset=\"utf-8\">Marketing Communication Research (MCR) concentration (within the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/media-science\/ms-in-media-science\/\" target=\"_blank\">Media Science master\u2019s program<\/a>), you&#8217;ll complete 12 courses (48 credits) that build expertise in consumer research, audience behavior, analytics, and strategic communication. You&#8217;ll learn how to uncover consumer insights, evaluate communication effectiveness, and translate research into recommendations organizations can act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Core research courses (4 courses): <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Consumer behavior + audience insights:<\/strong> Understand the psychological, emotional, and social factors that influence purchasing decisions, audience behavior, and communication effectiveness.<\/li><li><strong>Research design + measurement:<\/strong> Design and conduct reliable research studies that generate meaningful consumer insights.<\/li><li><strong>Applied analytics + statistics:<\/strong> Use statistical tools to analyze consumer data, evaluate communication performance, and identify meaningful patterns.<\/li><li><strong>Data visualization + storytelling:<\/strong> Learn how to communicate complex research findings through clear, persuasive visualizations that support strategic communication decisions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Customizable electives (4 courses)<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Customize your degree with electives that deepen your expertise in consumer insights, communication strategy, analytics, and emerging media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Advanced data analytics<\/li><li>UX research and user experience design<\/li><li>Social media analytics and strategy<\/li><li>Health communication campaigns<\/li><li>Political communication and public opinion<\/li><li>Interactive media and consumer behavior<\/li><li>And more<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Optional: Certificate in Data Analytics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for even more technical depth? You can choose to use your electives to earn a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/degrees-certificates\/data-analytics-graduate-certificate\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/degrees-certificates\/data-analytics-graduate-certificate\/\">Certificate in Data Analytics<\/a> alongside your master&#8217;s degree. This pathway adds high-demand skills in <strong>machine learning, data visualization, web mining, and data mining<\/strong> to strengthen your consumer research and analytics expertise\u2014with no additional semesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/programs\/media-science\/ms-in-media-science-marketing-communication-research\/degree-requirements\/\">View full course list \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Put consumer research into practice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Put your research skills into practice using the same enterprise-level tools trusted by consumer insights, analytics, and communication strategy teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/crc\/\">Communication Research Center<\/a>&nbsp; (CRC):<\/strong> Work with faculty on daCollaborate with faculty on research exploring consumer attention, audience behavior, and message effectiveness using eye tracking, biometric measures, virtual reality, and emerging AI-powered research tools.<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/research-at-com\/zimmerman-family-social-activation-center\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/research-at-com\/zimmerman-family-social-activation-center\/\">Zimmerman Family Social Activation Center<\/a>:<\/strong> Use enterprise social listening, sentiment analysis, and audience analytics platforms to understand public conversations, uncover consumer insights, and inform strategic communication decisions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>Meet your consumer insights faculty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our faculty are researchers, strategists, and industry practitioners who bring expertise in consumer insights, audience research, analytics, media psychology, and strategic communication into every course. They&#8217;ll help you translate complex research into communication strategies that organizations can act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>There is nothing more rewarding to me than seeing my students, years after they graduate, still applying what I\u2019ve taught them. The same can be said about watching students who did not think they had the needed background to understand advanced analytic techniques become masters of these techniques.<\/p><cite>Dr. Michael Elasmar, MCR program founder and director <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"related-content related-profiles\">\n\t\t<div class=\"related-content__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"related-content__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tMeet the Media Science Faculty\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"related-content__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/?category=media-science\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"related-content__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"profile-card post-26108 profile type-profile status-publish hentry discipline-type-media-science profile-type-faculty profile-type-researcher\">\n\t<a class=\"profile-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/profile\/yi-grace-ji\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"310\" height=\"504\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2020\/10\/yi-310x504.jpg\" class=\"attachment-bucom_profile size-bucom_profile\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__information\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-card__name\">Yi Grace Ji<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"profile-card__title\">Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"profile-card post-43514 profile type-profile status-publish hentry discipline-type-media-science profile-type-faculty\">\n\t<a class=\"profile-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/profile\/xiaoya-jiang\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"310\" height=\"504\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2025\/09\/Photo_Xiaoya-Jiang-310x504.png\" class=\"attachment-bucom_profile size-bucom_profile\" alt=\"Xiaoya Jiang headshot\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__information\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-card__name\">Xiaoya Jiang<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"profile-card__title\">Assistant Professor, Media Science<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"profile-card post-43444 profile type-profile status-publish hentry discipline-type-media-science profile-type-faculty\">\n\t<a class=\"profile-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/profile\/valerie-giglio-samson\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"310\" height=\"504\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2025\/09\/IMG_3546-310x504.jpg\" class=\"attachment-bucom_profile size-bucom_profile\" alt=\"Valerie Giglio-Samson\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__information\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-card__name\">Valerie Giglio-Samson<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"profile-card__title\">Lecturer, Media Science<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"profile-card post-8034 profile type-profile status-publish hentry discipline-type-media-science profile-type-faculty profile-type-researcher\">\n\t<a class=\"profile-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/profile\/traci-hong\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"310\" height=\"504\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2016\/09\/hong-faculty-alt-310x504.jpg\" class=\"attachment-bucom_profile size-bucom_profile\" alt=\"Traci Hong\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__information\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-card__name\">Traci Hong<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"profile-card__title\">Professor, Media Science<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"profile-card post-1775 profile type-profile status-publish hentry discipline-type-media-science profile-type-faculty profile-type-researcher\">\n\t<a class=\"profile-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/profile\/tammy-r-vigil\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"310\" height=\"504\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2015\/08\/Vigil-Tammy-310x504.jpg\" class=\"attachment-bucom_profile size-bucom_profile\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__information\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-card__name\">Tammy R. Vigil<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"profile-card__title\">Associate Professor, Media Science<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"profile-card post-1742 profile type-profile status-publish hentry discipline-type-media-science profile-type-faculty profile-type-researcher\">\n\t<a class=\"profile-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/profile\/t-barton-carter\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"310\" height=\"350\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2015\/08\/Carter_Barton-310x350.jpg\" class=\"attachment-bucom_profile size-bucom_profile\" alt=\"barton carter\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"profile-card__information\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-card__name\">T. Barton Carter<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"profile-card__title\">Professor, Media Science<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3>Study in Boston: your living media lab<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Boston is one of the country&#8217;s leading centers for consumer research, consulting, technology, healthcare, and innovation\u2014where organizations constantly seek better ways to understand audiences, evaluate communication, and make smarter strategic decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Major employers\u2014including Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey &amp; Company, Forrester Research, Applied Marketing Science, Wayfair, Ipsos, Kantar, NielsenIQ, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon\u2014offer opportunities to apply your research skills through internships, consulting projects, and careers in consumer insights, analytics, and strategic communication. It&#8217;s the ideal place to learn how consumer insights become communication strategies that organizations act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Program details at a glance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Degree:<\/strong> MS<\/li><li><strong>Concentration:<\/strong> Marketing Communication Research (within the MS in Media Science)<\/li><li><strong>Length:<\/strong> 3 semesters<\/li><li><strong>Format:<\/strong> On campus<\/li><li><strong>GRE:<\/strong> Not required<\/li><li><strong>STEM OPT:<\/strong> Eligible for 36-month extension<\/li><li><strong>Optional:<\/strong> Certificate in Data Analytics (within the same 3 semesters)<\/li><li><strong>Scholarships:<\/strong> Merit scholarships available \u2014 no separate application required<\/li><li><strong>Double Terrier:<\/strong> Scholarship available for current BU students and alumni<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>Frequently asked questions about the MS in Marketing Communication Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4>What is marketing communication research and how is it different from a traditional marketing degree?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional marketing programs often focus on developing campaigns and managing brands. Marketing Communication Research focuses on understanding the people those campaigns are designed to reach. You&#8217;ll learn how to conduct consumer research, evaluate communication effectiveness, and translate consumer insights into strategic communication recommendations. In other words, you&#8217;ll graduate knowing not only whether a strategy worked\u2014but why it worked and what to do next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Is this program a good fit if I want to work in UX research or consumer insights?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Many graduates pursue careers in UX research, consumer insights, market research, and strategic planning. The curriculum develops the research, analytics, and communication skills needed to understand audiences, interpret behavior, and translate findings into recommendations organizations can act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>How is this different from the broader MS in Media Science?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Media Science asks, &#8220;Why does communication work?&#8221; Marketing Communication Research asks, &#8220;How can research improve communication strategy?&#8221; Both programs share a strong research foundation, but MCR applies that research specifically to consumer insights, audience behavior, analytics, and strategic communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>How is this different from a business school consumer insights or market research degree?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Business schools often focus on analytics and business performance. Marketing Communication Research teaches you how to use consumer research and analytics to improve communication strategy. You&#8217;ll graduate knowing how to uncover meaningful consumer insights\u2014and communicate them in ways organizations can act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>What is the optional Data Analytics certificate?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A sequence of courses focused on data visualization, machine learning, web mining, graph analytics, and data mining \u2014 earned within the same three semesters, with no additional semester required. Students who want deeper technical expertise can complete the certificate as part of their elective coursework\u2014with no additional semesters required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Do I need a quantitative or coding background to apply?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>No. We teach you audience research methods and applied statistical techniques from the ground up. Our students come from incredibly diverse academic backgrounds, including communication, psychology, business, sociology, and English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Is this program STEM-designated?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. International graduates are eligible for the 36-month OPT extension to work in the US after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/programs\/media-science\/ms-in-media-science-marketing-communication-research\/frequently-asked-questions\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/programs\/media-science\/ms-in-media-science-marketing-communication-research\/frequently-asked-questions\/\">See all marketing communication research FAQs \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Also worth exploring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/media-science\/ms-in-media-science\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>MS in Media Science<\/strong>:<\/a> For students who want to understand why communication works through audience research, behavioral science, and communication theory.<\/li><li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/emerging-media-studies\/ma-in-emerging-media-studies\/\" target=\"_blank\">MA in Emerging Media Studies: <\/a><\/strong>For students who want to study how AI, digital platforms, and emerging technologies shape human behavior and society.<\/li><li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/public-relations\/ms-in-public-relations\/\" target=\"_blank\">MS in Public Relations: <\/a><\/strong> Focused on media relations, corporate reputation, crisis communication, and digital brand strategy.<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/media-science\/master-of-science-in-human-centered-design\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/media-science\/master-of-science-in-human-centered-design\/\">MS in Human Centered Design:<\/a><\/strong> For students headed into UX\/UI design careers, with end-to-end focus on product strategy and prototype design.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-cta block-cta-button\">\n\t<div class=\"block-cta__content\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"block-cta__title\">Interested in our MS in Media Science: Marketing Communication Research?<\/h2>\n\t\t<p class=\"block-cta__description\"><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"block-cta__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"block-cta__button button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/request-information\/\">\n\t\t\t\tRequest Info\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"related-content related-articles\">\n\t\t<div class=\"related-content__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"related-content__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia Science News\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"related-content__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/?category=media-science\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"related-content__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card post-45953 bu-article type-bu-article status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-alumni category-media-science tag-democracy tag-social-media\">\n\t<div class=\"article-card__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"article-card__cat\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"article-card__cat-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__cat-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/category\/alumni\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlumni\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"article-card__cat-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__cat-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/category\/media-science\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedia Science\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"article-card__heading\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__heading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/graduate-convocation-speaker-talks-democracy-social-media-and-being-part-of-the-solution\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"article-card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tGraduate convocation speaker talks democracy, social media\u2014and being part of the solution\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/graduate-convocation-speaker-talks-democracy-social-media-and-being-part-of-the-solution\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"article-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"758\" height=\"460\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2026\/04\/comtalk-napoli-banner-758x460.png\" class=\"attachment-bucom_card_large size-bucom_card_large\" alt=\"A portrait photo of Napoli.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"article-card__date\">April 22, 2026<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card post-45285 bu-article type-bu-article status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-advertising category-film-television category-journalism category-media-science category-public-relations tag-ai 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class=\"attachment-bucom_card_large size-bucom_card_large\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"article-card__date\">February 25, 2026<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"article-card post-45182 bu-article type-bu-article status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-media-science category-research tag-com-survey\">\n\t<div class=\"article-card__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"article-card__cat\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"article-card__cat-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__cat-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/category\/media-science\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedia Science\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"article-card__cat-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__cat-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/category\/research\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResearch\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"article-card__heading\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__heading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/despite-skepticism-people-sticking-with-dating-apps-survey-says\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"article-card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDespite skepticism, people sticking with dating apps, survey says\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"article-card__image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/despite-skepticism-people-sticking-with-dating-apps-survey-says\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"article-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"758\" height=\"460\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2026\/02\/Hearts-758x460.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-bucom_card_large size-bucom_card_large\" alt=\"Hearts\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"article-card__date\">February 12, 2026<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Program notes No GRE required Merit scholarships are available, and no additional application is needed View tuition and estimated living&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16717,"featured_media":28921,"parent":28705,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_editor_template":""},"bu_progs_page-type":[1492],"bu_progs_degree-option":[1562],"bu_progs_education-level":[1594],"bu_progs_department-affiliation":[],"bu_progs_format":[],"bu_progs_availability":[],"bu_progs_location":[],"interest":[],"discipline-type":[1439],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-program-page\/28733"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-program-page"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bu-program-page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16717"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-program-page\/28733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47212,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-program-page\/28733\/revisions\/47212"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-program-page\/28705"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bu_progs_page-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_progs_page-type?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"bu_progs_degree-option","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_progs_degree-option?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"bu_progs_education-level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_progs_education-level?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"bu_progs_department-affiliation","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_progs_department-affiliation?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"bu_progs_format","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_progs_format?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"bu_progs_availability","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_progs_availability?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"bu_progs_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_progs_location?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"interest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/interest?post=28733"},{"taxonomy":"discipline-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/discipline-type?post=28733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}