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Strategic Communication, MS

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The Master of Science in Strategic Communication program empowers graduates to be leaders in the industry through an applied, communication-centric, solution-oriented perspective. The 100% online accelerated program is curated to our digital and diverse world as we challenge students to find answers to practical communication problems. You can complete the program in as few as 12 months.

The Master of Science in Strategic Communication is ideal for those who want to:

  • Strengthen a communications career
  • Advance a career in communications
  • Prepare for further studies in communication

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the application and transcript(s), Strategic Communication applicants must submit:

  • Resume
  • Program statement: Submit a 500-word statement of purpose describing your long-term goals in regard to this field, and how those goals will be influenced by this degree

Students for whom English is not their primary language are required to complete an English language proficiency test. The English language proficiency test scores requirement for the Strategic Communication program are as follows:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 80 (internet-based test)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6
  • Duolingo: 105

Strategic Communication has rolling admissions with no application deadline. However, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at least three weeks before the start of the term in which they intend to begin the program. Students can begin the program during the fall, spring, or summer terms. Once the application is complete, the Communication, Journalism and Media Department will begin the review process and make a prompt decision.

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Communication, Journalism and Media Department
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Course Work for Strategic Communication, MS

A minimum of 30 graduate semester hour credits is required for the completion of the Master of Science degree in Strategic Communication. All students accepted into the program must apply for candidacy status for the degree after completing at least six semester hours of graduate communications (COMM) courses and any graduate deficiency courses specified by the department chair, provided he or she has earned at least a 3.0, B average in all courses completed. For course descriptions, visit the catalog.

  • COMM 505 - Foundations of Strategic Communication 
  • COMM 520 - Strategic Communication Research 
  • COMM 523 - Professional Writing & Editing 
  • COMM 525 - Social Media Analytics & Strategy 
  • COMM 527 - Multimedia Storytelling 
  • COMM 529 - Crisis Communication 
  • COMM 530 - Social Media Law & Ethics 
  • COMM 548 - Global Strategic Communication 
  • COMM 565 - Strategic Media Management 
  • COMM 603 - Professional Project 

  • COMM 594 - Selected Topics Communication/Journalism*
  • COMM 599 - Independent Study in Communication/Journalism*
  • COMM 609 - Internship I**
  • COMM 610 - Internship II**

*Independent study or 500-level selected topics course can be taken with department approval and alignment with suggested content areas in the PRSA CEPR Guidelines.

**An internship may be substituted for COMM 523 Professional Writing & Editing, COMM 525 Social Media Analytics & Strategy, or COMM 527 Multimedia Storytelling with department approval.

COMM 609 Internship I and COMM 610 Internship II may be taken by qualified students. Each internship requires a minimum of 120 hours of work performing strategic communication tasks and related responsibilities. The main objective of the internship is to provide the student with direct experience in public relations/strategic communication, or other approved related profession.

A variety of professional organizations supplement instruction. There are active chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). The department and many of its faculty belong to the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC), the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, and Pennsylvania Journalism Educators.

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Contact the Communication, Journalism and Media Department

Rowland Hall 108   1871 Old Main Drive   Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: 717-477-1521 Fax: (717) 477-4013