LEW KLEIN COLLEGE OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

Learn more about the Master of Science in Communication for Development and Social Change.

About the Program

The Master of Science in Communication for Development and Social Change (CDSC) is tailored for communication professionals passionate about utilizing media, communication and digital platforms as tools for transformative social change. Our unique curriculum covers strategic communication and public campaign design while also emphasizing the key roles that empowered communities, local voices, and participatory strategies play in social change processes. The CDSC MS program is a 30-credit program designed to be completed in one year.

We equip our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to effect meaningful change in their communities in areas such as climate adaptation, public health, sustainable agriculture, gender equity, and peace and security.

This work requires specific expertise in using tools like strategic communication, public information campaigns, participatory interventions, managing and evaluating social change projects, media and information literacy training, and media and digital platforms for social change.

The MS curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of theory and practice in the field of communication for social change, including research methods tailored to the specific needs of social change professionals. Students complete 18 credits of required core coursework: 9 credits in an area of specialization and 3 credits of capstone field experience.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years, although the program is designed to be completed in one year

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: While the degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis, full-time enrollment is strongly encouraged.

Interdisciplinary Study: The program is designed to be interdisciplinary, consistent with the highly interdisciplinary field of communication for development and social change.

Areas of Specialization: Previously designed specializations include those listed below, but the possibilities are limitless as students are encouraged to design their own specializations based on their interests:

• Gender Justice
• Justice and Equity in Sports Industries
• Digital Equity and Community-Owned Internet
• Civic Engagement and Democratic Governance
• Climate Change and Adaptation
• Public Health
• Social Justice Movements
• Sustainable Development

Job Prospects: This program prepares graduates to be communication specialists who prioritize societal impact. Our students learn to craft persuasive campaign messages; raise public awareness about specific social issues; build consensus; and generate change by effectively using the range of communication alternatives available, whether by empowering marginalized voices, facilitating processes of community dialogue, or through media campaigns for governmental and non-governmental institutions. Among the positions held by our alumni after graduation are: 

• communications consultant for the United Nations
• communications manager for Read by 4th
• community outreach specialist for Stokes Creative Group
• digital communications specialist for UNICEF
• monitoring and evaluation officer for Greenpeace
• project manager for The Corps Network

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students may take up to 9 credits before applying to the MS program.

Financing Opportunities: Merit scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis by the admissions committee. For information on endowed scholarships, please contact Klein’s Graduate Office.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 15

Admission is open for the Fall term only. Applications are accepted after the deadline, but late applications cannot be guaranteed merit scholarship consideration.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who are able to provide insight into the applicant's potential for professional achievement and aptitude for graduate study. It is important that recommenders offer insight into the applicant’s academic skills, including writing, analytical and critical thinking, and research abilities.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the baccalaureate degree at Temple University.

Statement of Goals: In approximately 1,000 words, present your strongest statement in the form of an essay about your interests and experiences in the field of Communication for Development and Social Change. The goal of your essay is to allow us to assess your institutional fit. Toward this end, please review the descriptions of our program, curriculum and faculty, also incorporating this content into your statement. You may use one or more of the following prompts as a starting point:

• What are your interests, experiences or academic research in the area of media and communication for development and social change, including your life experiences? The best candidates are people who can connect their life experiences and passions to their career goals.
• How will the MS in Communication for Development and Social Change advance your professional aspirations, intellectual objectives or social change/social justice goals?
• What is your experience as a social justice activist, public information campaign practitioner, community media practitioner or local journalist?
• How will you benefit from our program, and what will you contribute to our learning community?

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Optional. If provided, scores at or above the 65th percentile are expected.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores within two years of the test date for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT: 105
• IELTS Academic: 7.0

Resume: Current resume or curriculum vitae is required.

Writing Sample: If you elect to not submit GRE scores, you are required to submit one of the options below so that your readiness and ability/potential to engage rigorously with graduate-level work can be assessed:

1. A formal academic paper from your undergraduate work that represents your best academic writing. Please include a cover sheet on which you indicate:
   1. your name,
   2. the institution where you took the course for which the paper was produced,
   3. the course number and title of the course for which the paper was written,
   4. the professor for whom you wrote the paper, and
   5. the term in which you took the course.
2. Professional writing samples that you produced in a professional capacity, such as a published report, research report, grant proposal, and/or assessment or evaluation report. Please include a cover sheet indicating:
   1. what role you played in the publication’s production,
   2. the institution that sponsored it, and
   3. on what date the material was produced.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30

Required Courses:

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Summer II		Credit Hours
GDC 8001	Seminar in Media, Communication and Development	3
	Credit Hours	3
Fall
GDC 8003	Research Approaches in Communication, Development and Social Change	3
MSP 8254	Public Information Media Campaigns	3
MSP 8275	#ourmedia: Community, Activist, Citizens' and Radical Media	3
Specialization Course 1		3
	Credit Hours	12
Spring
GDC 8002	Communication for Social Change Project Design	3
JRN 5213	Solutions Journalism	3
Two Specialization Courses 1		6
	Credit Hours	12
Summer
GDC 9995	Master's Research Project	3
	Credit Hours	3
	Total Credit Hours	30

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Students choose three courses in one area of specialization. Coursework options can be identified by contacting the Program Director. In addition, courses from across the University may be selected by students as they design their own specializations.

Culminating Event:
Capstone Course:
GDC 9995 Master's Research Project is a hybrid course in which students meet with the course instructor early in the Summer term and then complete their field experiences independently during the summer under the supervision and evaluation of the instructor. Research projects can include internships with governmental and non-governmental organizations, investigative projects with socially responsible businesses, participation in community development initiatives, or media productions for social changes that allow students to acquire knowledge and new skills and become more reflective development practitioners.

Contacts

Department Contacts: