Prepare your communication career to serve the public and influence the future of strategic and tourism communication.

Admission is open for Fall 2024

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Prepare your communication career to serve the public and influence the future of strategic and tourism communication.

Admission is open for Spring 2024

Get In Touch

View the Brochure

Master of Arts in Communication

Study Options in Strategic Public Relations and Tourism and Cultural Communication

College of Communication and Media Sciences

Enhance your abilities to formulate communication plans that align with organizational goals, resonate effectively with target audiences, and adapt to emerging technology and evolving trends.

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Key Facts

Program Duration

3 Semesters (On Average)

Location

Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Language of Instruction

English

Credit Hours

36

Cost Per Credit Hour

AED 2,667

Application Deadline

5 August 2024

Key Facts

Program Structure and Content

Seven core courses provide the foundation for discipline knowledge.

COM601 Foundations of Communication Studies

COM604 Cross Cultural Communication

COM606 Understanding Consumer Trends

COM602 Communication Research Methods

COM607 Social and Digital Media Strategies

COM623 Event and Festival Planning and Promotion

COM613 Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics

Starting in the second semester, five courses that include an applied research seminar and capstone research project deliver advanced topics tailored toward theory development and industry application. Students may specialize in one of two professionally oriented study options: Strategic Public Relations or Tourism and Cultural Communication.

Strategic Public Relations

Gain extensive knowledge and understanding of strategic communication and how to think strategically in a global context. Acquire key skills and competencies to effectively manage organizational aspects of communication.

SPC612 Strategic Public Relations

SPC614 Internal Communications

SPC615 Crisis and Risk Management Communication

COM650 Applied Research Seminar

COM651 Capstone Research Seminar

Tourism and Cultural Communication

Gain extensive knowledge and understanding of the tourism sector and how to apply strategic decision-making in a global context. Acquire key skills and competencies in effectively planning and managing tourism activities, and culture related aspects of communication.

TCC621 Strategic Planning and Development

TCC622 Tourism Communication

TCC625 Tourism in the UAE and MENA Region

COM650 Applied Research Seminar

COM651 Capstone Research Project

Download the Study Plan

Meet the Program Conveners

Dr. Elsayed Darwish

Chair, Communication Department

College of Communication and Media Sciences

Dr. Mohammad Alazaizeh

Associate Professor

Graduate Program Coordinator

College of Communication and Media Sciences

What Will You Learn?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

What Will You Learn?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

Who Should Pursue a Master of Arts in Communication?

Job seekers with bachelor's degrees who want to enter the workforce after graduation.

Mid-career professionals who want to make a career change, use the degree for career advancement, enhance their skills in their current positions or pursue a doctoral degree.

Admission Requirements

Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities. Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree with a CGPA of 3.0 (or 2.5 for conditional admission) or higher from an accredited university and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to manage a challenging, fast-paced graduate program. While a Bachelor's degree in communication would be beneficial, this is not essential to gain entry to the Master of Arts in Communication program.

Career Opportunities

Strategic Public Relations

Graduates of this program excel in sectors such as corporate, government and public affairs, non-profit, healthcare, technology and startups, entertainment and media, financial services, travel and hospitality, education, energy, and sustainability. Some of the key job roles include the following:

Corporate Communications

Media Relations

Sales

Fundraising

Digital Communication

Crisis Communication

Public Affairs/Relations

Marketing and Advertising

Writing, Editing and Publishing

Meetings & Events Planning

Financial Communication

Government Relations

Tourism and Cultural Communication

Some of the key sectors for career opportunities include tourism boards and organizations, cultural institutions, event management, destinations management companies, hospitality industry, academic and research institutions, government and non-profit agencies/organizations, consulting firms, travel media and content creation, cultural exchange programs, arts and entertainment industry, sustainable tourism initiatives, public relations and communication agencies, and entrepreneurship.

The below job roles showcase the diverse and meaningful career opportunities that are available upon completion of the master’s degree:

Cultural Event Coordinator

Cultural Communication Specialist

Cultural Heritage Manager

Destinations Marketing Manager

Museum Curator

Cultural Liaison Officer

Cultural Policy Advocate

Tourism Researcher/Analyst

Tourism Educator/Guide

Arts and Culture Public Relations Specialist

Admission Requirements

Who Should Pursue a Master of Arts in Communication?

Job seekers with bachelor's degrees who want to enter the workforce after graduation.

Mid-career professionals who want to make a career change, use the degree for career advancement, enhance their skills in their current positions or pursue a doctoral degree.

Admission Requirements

Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities. Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree with a CGPA of 3.0 (or 2.5 for conditional admission) or higher from an accredited university and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to manage a challenging, fast-paced graduate program. While a Bachelor's degree in communication would be beneficial, this is not essential to gain entry to the Master of Arts in Communication program.

Career Opportunities

Strategic Public Relations

Graduates of this program excel in sectors such as corporate, government and public affairs, non-profit, healthcare, technology and startups, entertainment and media, financial services, travel and hospitality, education, energy, and sustainability. Some of the key job roles include the following:

Corporate Communications

Media Relations

Sales

Fundraising

Digital Communication

Crisis Communication

Public Affairs/Relations

Marketing and Advertising

Writing, Editing and Publishing

Meetings & Events Planning

Financial Communication

Government Relations

Tourism and Cultural Communication

Some of the key sectors for career opportunities include tourism boards and organizations, cultural institutions, event management, destinations management companies, hospitality industry, academic and research institutions, government and non-profit agencies/organizations, consulting firms, travel media and content creation, cultural exchange programs, arts and entertainment industry, sustainable tourism initiatives, public relations and communication agencies, and entrepreneurship.

The below job roles showcase the diverse and meaningful career opportunities that are available upon completion of the master’s degree:

Cultural Event Coordinator

Cultural Communication Specialist

Cultural Heritage Manager

Destinations Marketing Manager

Museum Curator

Cultural Liaison Officer

Cultural Policy Advocate

Tourism Researcher/Analyst

Tourism Educator/Guide

Arts and Culture Public Relations Specialist

Admission Requirements

3 Reasons Why You Should Choose Zayed University’s

College of Communication and Media Sciences

Accreditation and Recognition

National and international accreditation will guarantee you a globally recognized graduate degree.

Transferable Skills Training

Learning essential skills in, i.e., cross-cultural communication, professional communication, writing and speaking to different audiences, strategic messaging, and storytelling with data and research will prepare you for exciting career opportunities in a growing industry.