Global Strategic Communication (MS)
Program Overview
Global Strategic Communication (MS)
The M.S. in Global Strategic Communication is a professionally-focused, interdisciplinary, non-thesis program designed to prepare graduates for successful careers in public relations, advertising, digital and social media, corporate communication, content marketing, and related fields.
Overview
This program accommodates busy working professionals with evening courses, online electives, and full- and part-time options. It is suitable for recent graduates looking to jumpstart their communication career, communicators who want to build or advance their career on the global stage, or mid-career professionals seeking expanded skills and digital fluency to move into communication management.
Related Programs
- Digital Advertising (MS)
- Digital Media and Storytelling (MComm)
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
The program requires satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours (10 courses): eight required courses, including a capstone experience (24 credit hours), and two electives (6 credit hours). No thesis is required.
Course List
| Course Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 401 | Foundations of Global Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COMM 403 | Strategic Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| COMM 413 | Writing for Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COMM 411 | Strategic Communication Ethics and Law | 3 |
| COMM 431 | Campaign for Social Impact | 3 |
| COMM 421 | Topics in Global Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COMM 426 | Strategic Business Communication for Social Impact | 3 |
| COMM 441 | Global Strategic Communication Capstone | 3 |
| Two (2) Electives from List of Electives for GSC | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Electives for Global Strategic Communication
| Course Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 402 | Organizational Leadership and Change Management | 3 |
| COMM 417 | Media Planning | 3 |
| COMM 421 | Topics in Global Strategic Communication 1 | 3 |
| COMM 422 | Global and Multicultural Audiences and Stakeholders | 3 |
| COMM 425 | Digital Marketing and Analytics 2 | 3 |
| COMM 432 | Public Interest Communication | 3 |
| COMM 433 | Corporate Communication | 3 |
| COMM 436 | Social Media Crisis Communication | 3 |
| COMM 444 | Social Media Advertising | 3 |
| COMM 461 | Health Communication | 3 |
| COMM 462 | Health Literacy & Digital Technology | 3 |
| COMM 464 | Mobile Advertising | 3 |
| COMM 469 | Human-Computer Interaction in Digital Media | 3 |
| COMM 470 | Special Topics in Advertising & Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM 491 | Advertising/Public Relations Internship | 3 |
| COMM 498 | Directed Study for Graduate Students | 1-3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The suggested sequence of courses is as follows:
- First Year:
- Fall: COMM 401, COMM 403, COMM 413
- Spring: COMM 411, COMM 421, COMM 431, One elective
- Second Year:
- Fall: COMM 426, COMM 441, One elective
Length of Program
Full- and part-time options are available. Full-time students can complete the program in one and a half years, while part-time students have up to three years to complete the program.
Curriculum Design
The curriculum is designed to help students acquire expert knowledge and up-to-date digital and analytical tools, develop a global perspective, and hone skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, writing, business literacy, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Touchstones
The program's touchstones include an emphasis on strategic planning, consideration of multiple stakeholders, cultural relevance and sensitivity, social justice, effective use of digital channels, and ethical decision-making.
Topics Examined
The program examines topics such as:
- Understanding new stakeholders and creating culturally sensitive and relevant messages and campaigns
- Strategic communication campaigns for social impact
- The role of digital media in global communication
- Measuring digital messages with precision
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the program will be able to:
- Create and implement strategic communication campaigns
- Develop strategic messages to engage diverse stakeholders
- Understand digital marketing and analytic strategies
- Apply research methods to plan, monitor, and evaluate communication campaigns
- Practice ethical communication for social impact
- Demonstrate competencies to work as a professional in strategic communication management for social impact