At the core of the MA in International and Intercultural Communication (IIC) is mastering the art of communicating effectively across cultures, languages and borders. By blending in-depth theory with hands-on storytelling, like videography, writing, editing, and podcasting, you’ll be ready to thrive in diverse communication roles.
Whether your career path leads to nonprofits, government, corporations, media, or journalism, this flexible program lets you tailor your studies to fit your goals. After completing two required courses in intercultural communication and global campaigns, you’ll choose electives from the Media, Film & Journalism Studies department and the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs to build your own path.
Plus, you can earn a graduate certificate in public diplomacy or global business and corporate social responsibility — without taking any extra courses.
Start Dates: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Curriculum: 48 Credit Hours
Program Length: 2 Years full-time
28 Customizable credit hours to tailor the degree to your goals
3 Gold Telly Award winning students in 2025
MA in International and Intercultural Communication
How our curriculum prepares you for your communications career
Join a distinctive, close-knit program
Small class sizes offer personalized learning from expert faculty and access to internships through strong connections with businesses, nonprofits, and government partners in Colorado and beyond.
Build cross-disciplinary expertise
Embrace multicultural and global communication with guidance from international relations experts, grounded in a strong dedication to diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Bridge theory and hands-on experience
Engage in projects such as research papers, social media campaigns, documentaries, feature articles, and podcasts to build practical skills.
Customize your degree your way
Select elective courses from the Media, Film & Journalism Studies department and the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs that align with your personal interests and professional ambitions.
Earn a graduate certificate as part of your studies
Complete a certificate in public diplomacy or global business and corporate social responsibility with no extra classes needed.
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"My time at DU has given me a mindset where I can analyze issues, outline the steps that need to be taken, and understand how to implement them successfully."
- Sam Arndt (MA ’20)
Application Information
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Advance your career with an MA in International and Intercultural Communication
Required Courses — 12 Credit Hours
- MFJS 4160 - Media Theories
- MFJS 4300 - Media Law
- MFJS 4560 - Audience and Communication Research
Choose one of the following courses
- MFJS 4650 - Global Media and Communication
- MFJS 4654 - Intercultural Communication
Elective Courses Inside or Outside the Department — 8-12 Credit Hours
Internship, Substantial Research Paper (SRP), or Thesis - 4 Credit Hours
- MFJS 4980 - Internship or MFJS 4995 - Thesis/Substantial Research Paper
Program completion requires proficiency in a foreign language.
Concentration Courses - 16 Credit Hours
- MFJS 4050 - Foundations of Strategic Communication
Choose 3 of the following courses
- MFJS 4001 - Producing Video for Social Media and Advocacy
- MFJS 4060 - Strategic Messaging
- MFJS 4065 - Public Diplomacy and Nation Branding
- MFJS 4080 - Global/Multicultural Campaigns
- MFJS 4165 - Global Health and Development Communication
- MFJS 4175 - Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Health Communication
- MFJS 4320 - Brands and Identities
- MFJS 4504 - Social Media Strategies
- MFJS 4506 - Audio Documentaries
- MFJS 4660 - Global Edutainment and Narrative Persuasion
- MFJS 4912 - Seminar in Media Film and Journalism Studies
Internships in Communications
Earn credit and real-world experience through our robust internship program. Past students have interned at prestigious organizations including CNN, the American Red Cross, the U.S. State Department, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Nations. You’ll benefit from internships tailored to your interests, career guidance, and connections to a global alumni network — helping you stand out in your field.
Careers for MA in International and Intercultural Communication Graduates
Our graduates go on to careers in:
- Public relations
- Marketing communication
- Project management
- Social media management
- Health communication
- Government communication
- Nonprofit communication
- Multimedia production
- Education and research
- Public affairs
Article: International and Intercultural Communication Master’s Prepares Veteran for Career in International Journalism
“I was 26 years old and had visited almost 20 countries,” he said. “I loved international travel, talking to all kinds of people and hearing their stories.” - Jake Shriner (MA '25)
But more than anything else, he wanted to tell those stories and decided to pursue a career in journalism.
Having previously fallen hard for Colorado after visiting his undergraduate roommate who had relocated to Denver, Shriner started searching for graduate journalism programs statewide. A FaceTime interview with MFJS Professor and Emmy Award-winning Journalist Kareem El Damanhoury — who has covered international conflicts for CNN and PBS — made the decision to enroll in the International and Intercultural Communication master’s program easy.
Get Started on Your MA in International and Intercultural Communication
Build your international communications career with a master's degree from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
