Welcome to our Admitted Graduate Student Events page! We invite you to register for these events to explore your degree program and learn more about graduate life at COM.
Below you’ll also find a welcome from our Dean, Mariette DiChristina (COM ’86), as well as:
Recordings from virtual Zoom events featuring professors, current COM students, and alumni, where you can learn about academics, student life, and career opportunities after graduate school. Events are listed in chronological order—scroll to find the ones that interest you!
Additional Content:
International Graduate Student Welcome
A video from Heather Fink, Director of COM Career Services, highlighting resources available through COM’s Career Services office.
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Visit (in-person or virtual) the College of Communication in Boston
The College of Communication (COM) invites prospective graduate students, applicants, and accepted students to speak with the Graduate Affairs team at COM. We can meet in person or via Zoom. Students will speak with a member of the Graduate Affairs team about the application, curriculum, faculty, student life at BU, in Boston, and what COM alums do. Schedule a tour or call here: https://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/visit/.
At Boston University’s MS in Public Relations, you’ll gain the skills to shape narratives, build brands, and drive impact across industries. Join PR program director, Arunima Krishna, for an inside look at the program’s curriculum, hands-on experience opportunities, and industry connections that set our graduates apart.
Host:Dr. Arunima Krishna is an associate professor of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations at Boston University College of Communication. She joined Boston University College of Communication in 2016 after completing her PhD at Purdue University. She's also taught a variety of courses at COM, including Corporate Communication, Crisis Management, and The World of Communication.
Join us for an exciting session where you’ll discover everything about the MS Media Science program—from the curriculum to research opportunities and why students excel in this dynamic field. Plus, there will be plenty of time to get all your questions answered! Don’t miss out on this chance to explore what makes this program so special!
Host:Dr. Traci Hong's research is at the nexus of health communication and new media technologies, where she advances communication theory by leveraging the media, including new media and social media, to promote behavioral change that can lead to beneficial health outcomes. She also teaches courses on persuasion theory, media effects, and communication research methods.
Step into the future of media with Boston University’s MA in Emerging Media Studies (EMS)! This innovative program explores how technology, AI, data, and human behavior shape the ever-evolving media landscape. Join EMS professors as they discuss the curriculum, hands-on research opportunities, and career paths that set our graduates apart.
Host: Dr. Betsi Grabe is the Dalton Family Professor in Communications and Director of Emerging Media Studies at Boston University, starting in January 2024. Previously, she spent 27 years at Indiana University, where she served as Associate Dean of The Media School and was named a Provost Professor in 2022. Her research explores political communication, focusing on how citizens navigate misinformation in today’s complex media landscape.
Get ready to dive into the world of film and television at BU’s College of Communication! Join us for a session with MFA program director, Charlotte Howell, where you’ll gain insights into the program, explore academic opportunities, and get your questions answered. Don’t miss this chance to connect and start your journey in film & TV studies!
Host:Program Director Professor Howell's areas of specialization include: television studies, media industry studies, genre studies, and fan studies. She teaches the following courses in the Film and Television Studies program: Understanding TV, TV Genres and Fandom, Streaming TV, Comic Book TV, Religion and TV, Sports and TV.
At Boston University’s MFA in Screenwriting, you’ll hone your craft, develop compelling stories, and bring your scripts to life with guidance from faculty and industry professionals. Join us for a meeting with program director, Professor Scott Thompson, and current students as they discuss the program’s coursework, teaching assistant opportunities, and internship opportunities in Los Angeles.
Host: Professor Scott Thompson is an award-winning screenwriter, whose work has been recognized by dozens of the top international screenwriting competitions. Scott Thompson has worked as a screenwriter for production companies in Los Angeles, Montreal, Germany, Helsinki, New York, and Boston. He has taught screenwriting for over 25 years.
Learn more about the world of television producing! This meeting will dive into the curriculum, real-world internship experiences, and why BU is the perfect place to launch your TV career. The faculty will also discuss the optional final semester in LA.
Host:Professor Sitomer is an award-winning executive producer, executive editor, director, and writer with wide-ranging experience in network, syndicated cable, and local television. She executive produced “Inside Edition” and “Extra”. Professor Sitomer teaches Creative Producing and Real World Productions.
At Boston University’s MS in Advertising, you’ll master the art and science of persuasion, blending strategy, creativity, portfolio work, and data-driven insights to make an impact in the fast-paced advertising industry. Join professors as they discuss the curriculum, hands-on projects, AdLab, and opportunities that set BU graduates apart.
Co-Hosts:Professor Karen Mascott worked as Vice President and Group Marketing Director at Digitas for most of her career. She led Procter and Gamble's digital marketing efforts for their Feminine Care brands. In this position, she was the global digital agency leader, implementing several integrated campaigns and site redesigns.
Professor Pegeen Ryan started as an art director, rising to VP/creative director at various ad agencies. She also spent a large portion of her career at Digitas, where she was creative director on major brands such as P&G, The Home Depot, GM, and Gillette. She has won numerous awards, including Cannes, MITX, Echo, and Hatch.
Media Science: Marketing Communication Research Program Zoom
Learn more about data-driven storytelling and the art of consumer insights with Boston University’s MS in Marketing Communication Research! Join our professors as they dive into the research and skills-based curriculum, hands-on research opportunities, and real-world applications that make this program a launchpad for marketing, advertising, and strategic communication careers.
Host:Professor Michael Elasmar is a social-science-trained researcher who is fascinated by the role that communication plays in the formation and modification of a wide array of human belief systems (e.g. product brand beliefs, country images, intergroup perceptions, etc.). He teaches applied research methods and statistics courses designed to get students ready for jobs in the field of marketing communication research. He also researches media use and impact, inter-group relations, public diplomacy, and international communication. Personal website: michaelelasmar.com
Welcome to the MS Journalism program at COM! During this session, you'll hear from experienced professors who have worked in top newsrooms and can provide insights into what makes this program stand out. Learn how BU Journalism equips students with essential skills like investigative reporting, multimedia production, and data journalism. Discover the hands-on experiences available through campus media outlets, internships, and reporting opportunities in Boston. Whether you're passionate about covering breaking news, producing compelling documentaries, or driving conversations around social issues, the MS Journalism program offers the tools, connections, and real-world experience you need to succeed.
Host: Professor Sherrod Blakely is an award-winning multimedia journalist with experience across print, digital, broadcast, and audio platforms. While he’s best known for his work in sports, his expertise extends to social justice, news reporting, and podcasting. In 2024, he received BU’s Lyndon B. Johnson Award for his dedication to mentoring future journalists.
Welcome to the MS Media Ventures program at COM! During the session, you'll hear from professors about the program's unique opportunities, including connections with industry leaders in Boston and Los Angeles, hands-on projects and internships that build real-world skills, and inspiring success stories from alumni who are driving innovation at top media and tech companies. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how Media Ventures can help you turn your passion for media into a thriving career.
Co-Hosts:Professor Jodi Luber is the director of the Media Ventures program and associate dean of faculty and student actions. She was also co-founder of womensforum.com, a top-10 website for women. She currently teaches Media Money Trail and Creating New Ideas.
Professor Margaret Wallace is a tech executive and creator of video games, apps, and other interactive experiences that span a variety of industry sectors and platforms, including interactive entertainment, mobile games, health tech, education, impact, and experiential tech. She teaches Video Games and Fundamentals of Interactive Media.
Virtual Events
Alumni Network, Student Community, and Student Life in Boston
At Boston University, you’re not just earning a degree — you’re joining a global network of 431,000+ alumni.
Listen to the recording of this Q&A panel with COM alumni from diverse industries as they share how their BU master’s degrees helped them land jobs, advance their careers, and break into competitive fields. Gain insights, and see how BU can open doors for you!
Curious about what it’s like to be a grad student at BU? Tune in to the recording of this Q&A session with current COM master’s students as they share their experiences living in Boston, navigating campus life, and balancing coursework with internships, assistantships, and more. Get insider tips, and find out how BU students make the most of their time in and out of the classroom!
Join this live Q&A with current international master’s students as they share their experiences adjusting to life in Boston, navigating the ISSO, finding housing, and balancing academics with work opportunities. This is your chance to ask questions, get real advice, and learn how BU supports its global student community.
Graduate Affairs Q&A: Your Final Questions Answered!
Still have questions about graduate school at BU? Tune into the Graduate Affairs Q&A, where admitted students chat about academics, campus life, and what comes next.
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Heather Fink, Director of Career Services for the College of Communication (and COM alum), shares with you how she and her team engage students in career development and experiential learning that empowers them to successfully pursue their educational and professional goals during and beyond their time at BU.
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At Boston University, we want you to succeed. And we want you to feel at home. That’s why we bring together graduate and professional students from around the world to work with our award-winning faculty in our state-of-the-art facilities. Once you join the BU community, limitless opportunities await you in Boston and across the globe. We also invite you to visit BU’s International Student Experience webpage, as well as International FAQs and interviews with current international graduate students.
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