You should be interested in the handling and impact of media content and communication and enjoy working empirically. You should also be motivated to acquire an understanding of the analysis, implementation, and design of communication strategies in the context of corporate communication and within organizations.

In addition, you will need to possess a high level of self-management as well as public speaking and critical thinking skills, and be able to work in a team.

Proof of English language proficiency is not required for the application. However, we require that you have sufficient active and passive English language skills to understand English-language academic literature and, if necessary, participate in courses taught in English.

In addition, a number of academic and formal requirements must be met in order to secure a spot in the program. These are described in detail below.

A bachelor’s degree in communication studies or an equivalent higher education degree.

• A total of at least 90 credit points (CP) or an equivalent percentage of the coursework and examinations required for the degree must have been earned in subjects related to communication studies.
• At least 12 of these credits must have been earned in the field of empirical methodology. Statistics must be included. Proof that you have completed these 12 credits must be provided by the application deadline.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date; this certificate must be issued by the responsible higher education institution. If the admission requirements listed above require proof of a specific number of credit points, applicants must provide proof of two-thirds of that number by the end of the application deadline.

Exception: The “two-thirds rule” applies only to the required credit points in the field of communication studies. It is mandatory to obtain the 12 credit points required in the field of empirical methodology (incl. statistics) by the end of the application period.

If you did not earn your university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB) at a German-language institution or complete a German-language degree program, you must provide proof of German proficiency at the DSH-3 level or 4 x TDN 5 to enroll.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

The examination regulations are available online (in German only).

In its courses, the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication fosters a close-knit atmosphere and direct exchange between students and faculty. Through the interactive and creative implementation of research and practice projects, you work in small groups and mutually benefit from an open feedback culture.

In the first semester, two lectures introduce you to the multifaceted world of media psychology on the one hand and provide you with advanced statistical knowledge on the other. Two seminars also cover responsibility and sustainability in strategic communication as well as internal communication.

In the second semester, you dive right into the practice of strategic communication: In the seminar on communication campaigns, you take on the perspective of a PR agency and develop real communication concepts together with industry partners. Another component involves conducting small-scale research projects in which you will analyze current challenges in the field of PR. In two seminars, you will discuss ethical aspects of strategic communication and media relations using real-world examples and through dialogue with experts.

In the third semester, you will carry out your own research project on current and exciting topics in strategic communication research. In addition, you will delve into the diverse fields of organizational communication and explore its goals and challenges. Practical experience is not neglected either: In the crisis communication seminar, you will take on the role of crisis managers and conduct a crisis simulation in which you will manage communications during a crisis in real time. In addition, communication experts – including those from the field of public affairs – will provide insights into their day-to-day work, and you will discuss fascinating case studies.

The program culminates in the fourth semester with your master’s thesis. It is accompanied by a practice class designed to prepare you for writing your thesis independently. You will focus on how to choose and limit your topic and discuss challenges faced while writing. You will also present your thesis topic at a master’s thesis colloquium, where you will receive valuable feedback from faculty and fellow students, ensuring you are fully prepared to successfully complete your thesis.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

The modular structure of the degree program generally allows for a mobility period after the third academic semester.

On the website of the Communication Studies student advising office you will find subject-specific information on stays abroad.

Internships

During your studies, you will also gain valuable practical experience through a flexible, at least 12-week internship in the field of corporate communications / PR or other areas of strategic communications.

The internship module can be completed at any time in the program. We recommend interning during the semester break to avoid missing classes during the lecture period. Relevant part-time jobs or student traineeships can also be counted as mandatory internships. You can find more information on the website of the Communication Studies student advising office (in German).

You can complete the internship module at any point in the program. We recommend making use of the lecture-free period so you don’t miss any courses during the lecture period. Relevant part-time jobs or student traineeships can also be counted as mandatory internships. You can find more information on the website of the Communication Studies student advising office (in German).

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

As a graduate of the Strategic Communication master’s degree program, you possess comprehensive knowledge and skills that leave you well-prepared for the job market in the 21st century, such as

• comprehensive expertise in the field of communications management,
• skills in drafting and planning strategic communication,
• strategic thinking,
• refined techniques for working scientifically (conducting research, analyzing and processing research literature),
• knowledge of empirical methods in social science, data collection (quantitative and qualitative) and statistical data analysis,
• critical engagement with scientific topics and the acquisition of (strategic) communication techniques to help transmit scientific discoveries to a variety of target groups.

With its theoretically grounded yet practical focus, the master’s degree program Strategic Communication (M.A.) offers you excellent career prospects in a wide variety of professional fields related to strategic communication and public relations:

Communications management

• PR and marketing in companies and agencies, in the nonprofit sector (e.g., clubs/associations, NGOs), in the public sector (e.g., government, educational and cultural institutions), or in the political sector

Advising and human resources development

• Corporate consulting and other forms of consulting
• Human resources, corporate training

Journalism

• Editorial work with a journalistic focus or at the intersection of advertising and public relations
• Other editorial activities, e.g., in publishing (editing)

Research, data analytics and science

• Market, public opinion, and social research at private-sector research institutes
• Big data, market, and consumer analyses at companies and agencies
• Academic careers at higher education institutions in communication studies or other social science disciplines

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.