The School of Mass Communications prepares effective and skilled communicators through quality instruction, advising and student services, based on real-world applications. Through research, professional service and scholarship in applied communications, the school advances the knowledge and practice of a multidisciplinary and evolving media environment. The school values truth, ethics, creativity, innovation, collaboration, cultural diversity, shared governance and community engagement.

The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with specialization in one of three sequences: advertising, journalism and public relations. The school also awards the Master of Science in Mass Communications, with concentrations in the areas of advertising, multimedia journalism and strategic public relations. The advertising program is offered through the VCU Brandcenter.