Program Overview

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Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications

The Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications is a 30-credit graduate program designed for working professionals seeking advanced education in strategic communications to enhance their careers, support organizational goals and objectives, and aid in developing and implementing strategic communications plans and campaigns for organizations and clients.

Program Overview

This online program explores the importance of messaging and focuses on advanced strategies and real-world skills to convey compelling messages across digital media. The program is 100% online, allowing students to complete their coursework at their own pace.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the program is April 1 to start on May 18.

Credits and Costs

The program consists of 30 credits, with a cost of $1,037 per credit.

No GRE/GMAT Required

A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score is not required for admission to the program, and an undergraduate communications degree is also not necessary.

Gain Skills to Communicate Effectively

The program enables students to:

• Apply theory to solve industry problems and design effective communications campaigns.
• Use established methods and practices to conduct effective research.
• Collect and analyze digital media audience data.
• Create, execute, and evaluate communication strategies and digital communications.

Strategic Communication Courses

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• COMM 530: Research Methods in Strategic Communications
• COMM 531: Strategic Communications: Theory and Implementation
• COMM 830: Strategic Communications Industry
• COMM 831: Digital Media Analytics
• COMM 833: Ethics and Decision-Making in Strategic Communications
• COMM 834: Strategic Communications Campaigns

Additional Courses

Students can also select from additional courses, including:

• COMM 835: Social Media Communications
• COMM 837: Reaching Multicultural Populations with Strategic Communications
• COMM 838: Strategic Communications Law
• COMM 839: Advanced Digital Media Analytics

Electives

Students must take at least six additional elective credits from any Penn State World Campus course, including 400-level courses and all elective courses listed above.

Course Availability

Students can visit the public LionPATH course search to plan their course schedule.

Start or Advance Your Career

The skills gained from this program can make graduates valuable assets to media outlets, businesses, government, and education and nonprofit organizations. Potential job titles include:

• Public Affairs Director
• Communications Director
• Promotions Director
• Public Relations Director (PR Director)
• Content Manager

Employment Outlook

The employment outlook for occupational fields related to this degree includes:

• Public Relations Managers: 6.9% employment growth (10 years), 76,060 total employment
• Advertising and Promotions Managers: -2.6% employment growth (10 years), 21,100 total employment

Career Services

Penn State World Campus offers career counseling, events, and opportunities for students and alumni, including:

• Opportunities to connect with employers
• Career counselor/coach support
• Occupation and salary information
• Internships
• Graduate school resources

Who Should Apply

This online program is designed for those seeking advanced education in strategic communications to enhance their careers, support organizational goals and objectives, and aid in developing and implementing strategic communications plans and campaigns for organizations and clients.

What is an MPS Degree

The MPS degree is a professionally focused master’s degree that is as rigorous as a traditional master’s program but focuses more deeply on the knowledge and skills a strategic communications professional needs to be successful in the workplace.

Set Your Own Pace

Students can finish their degree in one to two years by taking 3-4 courses per semester, or in two to three years by taking 2-3 courses per semester, or in three to four years by taking one course per semester.

Convenient Online Format

The program's convenient online format gives students the flexibility to study around their busy schedule, without sacrificing the quality of their education.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades.

How to Apply to Penn State

The application process involves:

1. Reviewing the admission requirements
2. Gathering required materials, including official transcripts, test scores, and references
3. Creating a Penn State login account
4. Completing the online application
5. Checking the application status

Contact Us

For more information about the Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications, contact the World Campus Admissions Counselors.

Learn from the Best

The program is taught by highly regarded faculty from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, including:

• Lee Ahern
• Michelle Baker
• Colleen Connolly-Ahern
• Frank Dardis
• Matthew Jackson
• Shannon Kennan
• Renea Nichols
• Holly Overton
• Hunter Overton
• Rachelle Pavelko
• Heather Schoenberger
• Fuyuan Shen

News

Recent news and updates from Penn State include:

• Spotlight on Penn State faculty: Meet Holly Overton
• Celebrating online communications programs
• Webinar focuses on challenges communications professionals face during COVID era

We Are Penn State

The program is part of Penn State, a world-renowned institution with a history of academic excellence.

Explore Other Academic Programs

Other academic programs offered by Penn State World Campus include:

• Digital Journalism and Media
• Marketing
• Organizational and Professional Communication
• Strategic Communications