Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication at Washington State University is designed for individuals seeking to excel in advertising, public relations, corporate communication, and communication management. The program, which began in 2014, has produced 345 alumni from over 80 different disciplines.

Program of Study

The degree requires 30 credits, with all courses available online. The program includes the following courses:

• COM 561 – Multimedia Content Creation: Exploration and application of strategies to communicate ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively through multimedia content.
• COM 562 – Crisis Communication in Global Contexts: Preparation, planning, and execution of crisis communication and management to protect an organization's image and mission.
• COM 563 – Ethics for Professionals: Understanding, discussion, and application of key theories of individual and institutional ethics; articulation and defense of ethical reasoning.
• COM 564 – Research Methods for Professionals: Understanding the role of research in media and related organizations and its application to organizational decision-making through quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Strategic Communication Core Courses (15 credits)

• COMSTRAT 561 – Persuasion for Professional Communicators: Introduction to theories, concepts, strategies, and processes of persuasion and social influence.
• COMSTRAT 562 – Creative Media Strategies and Techniques: Strategies, processes, procedures, and steps involved in creating marketing communications materials for various media.
• COMSTRAT 563 – Professional Digital Content Promotion: Application of writing, critical thinking, and persuasion skills to the practice and promotion of PR and advertising in digital and social media outlets.
• COMSTRAT 564 – Consumer Behavior and Brand Development: Tactics and strategies for consumer analysis and brand development; skills necessary for uncovering consumer insights to link client objectives, account management, creative development, and media planning.
• COMSTRAT 565 – Professional Marketing Communication Management and Campaigns: Overview of behavior change theories with a focus on strategic marketing campaign design and evaluation; learning to use theory and research to more effectively plan, design, execute, and evaluate strategic communication campaigns.

Capstone Course (3 credits)

• COMSTRAT 701 – Master’s Capstone: Culminating course where students demonstrate core competencies with the response to 4-5 prompts, completion of an online portfolio, and other creative and engagement activities.

Program Objectives

The primary objectives of the Online MA Strategic Communication program are:

1. Producing quality students who possess the theoretical foundation and practical knowledge to succeed in their chosen fields.
2. Training individuals who will perform at the highest level of both professional and ethical standards.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of strategic, entrepreneurial communication skills.
2. Gather and assess strategically relevant information using analyses and research.
3. Develop strategic communication campaign materials and implement campaigns through administration and management, planning, leadership, teamwork, and customer relations.
4. Ethically communicate information to diverse audiences.

Professional Master’s Degree

The Online MA Strategic Communication program is a professional degree program structured to provide opportunities for those interested in career transition or advancement in professional communication positions. It is non-thesis, involves limited theory, and does not include a classroom teaching component or active research assignment.

Student Pathways

• All courses are 100% online and include weekly online instructor office hours, frequent student self-assessment tools, and ongoing interaction with other students.
• Most students take 2-3 classes each semester across the 10-course curriculum.
• Students work closely with both industry professionals and PhD faculty scholars.
• Students select one, two, or three-year tracks, but it is recommended they take no less than five semesters to complete the program to achieve the best work-home-school balance.

Application Information

Application Deadlines

• August 1 for fall enrollment
• December 1 for spring enrollment
• April 15 for summer enrollment

Application Instructions

• Complete a general application with WSU Graduate School, indicating an interest in a degree program.
• Include:
  • Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
  • International students submit TOEFL
  • Current professional resume that includes at least three professional references' names and contact information
  • Statement of Purpose articulating perspectives, contributions, qualifications, and talents

Notes

• There is a $90 application fee (non-refundable).
• The program does not require any undergraduate prerequisites, but applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• No GRE is required.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should not exceed one page and should address:

• Why the online MA Strategic Communication program at WSU interests you
• What led you to the desire to earn an advanced degree
• Where you think your MA will lead you personally and/or professionally
• How the degree program fits into your current personal or professional path
• What are your goals in furthering your education
• Other anecdotes or background information that will aid in evaluating whether or not you would thrive and be successful in the program

Tuition

• Online students pay the in-state tuition rate.
• The tuition is estimated at $672 per credit.
• The estimated cost of the program is $20,150.
• Graduate students must be enrolled in at least half-time (six credits) to be eligible for financial aid.

Experience

The program is designed for individuals who are at least three years outside their undergraduate program and/or have at least three years of applied work experience. The coursework is benchmarked at a level best suited to those with solid work and life experience. Student engagement is built into each course, and with it, students benefit greatly from knowledge sharing and mutual exchange. Those with limited applied work experience are not fully equipped to contribute to those discussions in a meaningful way – nor are they as successful in completing the more complex coursework. The decision to admit involves a full assessment of the applicant’s academic profile, the mix of experience they bring to the program, and overall readiness for graduate-level work – not just undergraduate GPA or quality of their statement of purpose.