University of Denver - MA in International & Intercultural Communication

About this program

Expand your international expertise and career opportunities after your Peace Corps service through the master’s in International and Intercultural Communication (IIC) at the University of Denver (DU). This is a joint master's program from DU’s award-winning Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Department of Media, Film & Journalism Studies. This highly flexible program allows you to tailor your coursework and build expertise that best prepares you to pursue goals in international and/or intercultural settings, recognizing the centrality of communication and media to contemporary political, economic, and socio-cultural contexts, all while gaining and developing multimedia production and storytelling skills crucial for communication in today’s world.

IIC graduates pursue globally-oriented careers in a variety of fields, including: Global health communication; Public diplomacy & Public affairs; International PR and marketing; Nonprofit management; Cross-cultural and diversity training; International education; Human rights and Conflict resolution; International administration, and more. You’ll have the option to complete a Master’s thesis or a professional internship as your culminating experience. Returning Peace Corps Volunteers receive a 3-credit discount and qualify for additional dedicated RPCV scholarships. 

• Year partnership began: 2003
• Fellowships awarded per year (average):

Application requirements

Admissions process

Degrees awarded

MA in International & Intercultural Communication

Benefits and opportunities

Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing. See cost savings details for more.

Estimated annual cost of living: $23,194

Cost savings details

All Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who are accepted into the program will receive 3 credit hours of waived academic credit. This reduces the required number of credits from 48 to 45 (Note, our academic calendar uses the quarter system, not semesters.) A minimum of two Coverdell Fellows each academic year will be accepted with a total equivalent of 50 percent financial assistance, as reflected in the chart above.

Internship

All returning Peace Corps Fellows receiving the 3-credit tuition discount must do a 5-credit internship serving a high needs community in the United States. We offer a variety of support services to help you find the best internship to meet your requirements as well as prepare you for your future career goals, including a Director of Internships for the IIC master’s program as well as dedicated internship staff in the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and in the University of Denver Career Center. 

Recent internships completed by Peace Corps Fellows include: 

• The African Community Center – an organization focused on helping refugees rebuild safe, sustainable lives in Denver
• The Aurora Welcome Center – helping to aid the integration of immigrants and refugees
• Denver Open Media Foundation – working with underprivileged youth to express themselves through media production
• Denver Police Department – consulting with the police on programs to avoid racial profiling and develop community inclusive policing
• The Denver chapter of the Red Cross – developing outreach programs to Latino communities in Denver
• The Center for African American Health – marketing communication and fundraising/development

Other opportunities

All RPCVs are considered for two 12-credit scholarships, renewable for their second year. These scholarships are worth $20,016 per year. The program’s foreign language proficiency requirement is also waived for Fellows.

Jobs for alumni

Nontraditional options

Part-time degree program