Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (090909)

This graduate program launched Spring 2025.

According to Nothhaft et al., “strategic communication has emerged as a global field of communication research..” merging efforts of “public relations, corporate communication, organizational and internal communication, public diplomacy, political communication, advertising, marketing, health, and intercultural communication…to build a body of knowledge that focuses on the purposive use of communication to support organizations and other entities in the achievement of goals.”

Nothhaft, H., Werder, K. P., Vercic, D, & Zerfass, A. (2018). Editors’ Introduction. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12(4), 329-332.

More specifically, strategic communication encompasses the following:

• Sub-field of broader Communication Studies sector that blends theory, and development of soft skills
• Focuses on message creation, evaluation, and delivery of information
• Creates an intersection between communication, business strategies, and techniques
• Prepares students to create communication plans designed to address long- and short- term goals and objectives
• Trains professionals to utilize communication for the purpose of fulfilling organizational vision, mission, and objectives
• Equips students in the identification, understanding, and development of best practices related to communication planning and message delivery through appropriate channels to meet organization-specific goals

Careers available with MA Strategic Communication

• Research analyst
• Social media manager
• Political analyst
• Communication specialist/consultant
• Public relations director
• Marketing director
• Advertising manager
• Brand manager
• Digital media strategist
• Journalist
• HR director
• Corporate Social Responsibility specialist
• Media planning director
• Crisis communication specialist
• Event planner
• Corporate communication director