Overview

The Public Interest Communication M.F.A. at Florida State University is a hybrid professional and research degree designed for those aspiring to lead communication efforts in the non-profit and governmental sectors. This programme equips students with the technical expertise to produce high-quality media alongside the analytical skills required to measure its effectiveness in driving social, political, and environmental progress.

Students engage in a curriculum that balances creative storytelling with scientific strategy. By focusing on documentary and advocacy-based visual media, the programme ensures that graduates are not only capable of producing compelling content but are also proficient in using communication theory to target specific audiences and influence public discourse.

Why Public Interest Communication at Florida State University?

Florida State University offers a distinctive learning environment where students gain foundational skills in 4K video production without needing prior film experience. The programme stands out by combining the creative rigour of a film production degree with the strategic depth of a traditional research master’s, supported by access to dedicated research labs and expert faculty.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 21129 per year
National fee: USD 21129 per year
Local fee: USD 8628 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires 36 credit hours, covering technology, research, and theoretical foundations. Modules may include:

Digital Media Production
Social Media Campaigns
Documentary Video Production
Visual Communication
Computer Graphics and Animation
Research Methods in Communication
Qualitative Methods in Communication Research
Analysis of Communication Theory
Media, Culture and the Environment

Careers with Public Interest Communication

Graduates are prepared for influential roles within non-governmental organisations, including environmental, human rights, and social service groups. The programme also provides a strong foundation for careers in government agencies focused on public health, education, and nutrition.

Common career paths include working for political campaigns, social advocacy groups, and international aid organisations. Additionally, the research-intensive nature of the degree serves as excellent preparation for those wishing to pursue doctoral studies and careers in academic teaching or professional research.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Social Media and Digital Advocacy
Strategic Campaign Planning
Community Engagement Strategies
Messaging and Persuasion
Crisis Communication in Public Interest Contexts

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-05-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-07-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

36 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Tallahassee, United States

Disciplines

Communication Studies View 504 other Masters in Communication Studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent international institution
Minimum GPA requirement (specific GPA may vary)
GRE scores (FSU institution code provided)
Letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV
Official transcripts

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

21129 USD / year

≈ 21129 USD / year
Out-of-State

21129 USD / year

≈ 21129 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8628 USD / year

≈ 8628 USD / year

Living costs

Tallahassee

United States

955 - 1345 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Interest Communication.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Tallahassee

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners