Strategic Communication

The School of Visual and Communication Arts offers a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Communication and a graduate-level certificate in Strategic Communication. The degree requires 33 credit hours. Students are required to complete a set of classes covering advanced levels of strategic communication, such as persuasive rhetoric, communication ethics and law, organizational development, and leadership within varied corporate and public communication arenas and the evolving media landscape.

Admission

Please see the Admissions page of this catalog. In addition to those requirements, applicants must also submit:

A completed online application, letter of intent, and current resume.
Two letters of recommendation:

a.) Letters of recommendation should be from previous faculty, supervisors, or community leaders who can assess the potential future success of the applicant in a graduate program;

b.) Family members, familial-type relations, and friends are expressly prohibited from being recommenders.

A written statement of goals and objectives (the personal statement) that clearly describes why the applicant wants to pursue this degree and how it could assist them now (or in the future) in achieving their professional or career goals.

Applicants for degree-seeking admission who do not meet minimum requirements for regular admission may be considered for regular admission with a student status as good standing or probation. All students who complete the application will be considered for an admission decision, including admission, denial of admission, or admission in a non-degree seeking category. Students admitted on probation may have probationary conditions set at the point of admission. All degree-seeking applicants should apply for regular admission.

If admitted, the admission decision will also contain the accepted student status. An applicant whose coursework does not reflect a foundation in psychology, as determined by the school, may be required to complete prerequisite coursework during the first semester of attendance.

Admission Requirements/Criteria for 4+1 Program

The student’s admission to the program is based on their ability to meet the following minimum entrance requirements:

Only current Avila University students can apply to the 4+1 program.
Students must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to applying.
Must provide a written statement of goals and objectives (the personal statement) that clearly describes why the applicant wants to pursue this degree and how it could assist them now (or in the future) in achieving their professional or career goals.
Three letters of recommendation from professional sources and professors. These letters should speak to the applicant’s ability as a student or their academic and professional motivations and potential. All letters of recommendation will be submitted online per the Office of Graduate and Professional Education admission policy.
A resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
It is recommended that applicants to this program have professional internship experiences or equivalent experiences in Advertising, Branding, Public Relations, or Strategic Communication.

Applicants applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication 4+1 program must do so by April 1 of their junior year and, with provisional admission, seniors. Following provisional admission, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their remaining undergraduate studies. Students who fail to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress may be restricted from progressing to the program’s graduate phase. Once students complete their baccalaureate degree, the provisional status is removed.

Those who meet standard minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer appropriate strengths and skills.

Applicants will adhere to the University’s Office of Graduate and Professional Education procedures using the online admission process.

Transfer Policy

Transfer applicants may request an evaluation of transfer credit once admitted to the program by completing an Evaluation of Transfer Credit Request form. Quarter hours may be transferred to meet specific course requirements, but will only be counted for equivalent hours. The awarding of any transfer credit is at the discretion of the school.

Retention Policy

Expectations are that students complete the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication in one year beyond the date of their baccalaureate degree. However, if necessary, they may take longer, up to a five-year maximum. Students after the fifth year must reapply for reinstatement back into the program. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to stay in good standing.

Foundation Courses (21 credit hours)

Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Choose four courses from the list below:

Outcomes

Effective Diverse Communication- Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively from diverse perspectives using oral, written, visual, and technological skills.
Historical and Theoretical Perspective- Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and history of media and communication research.
Real-World Communication- Create innovative, real-world communication projects that persuade, inform, or entertain.
Ethical Decision-making- Demonstrate an ability to examine ethical decision-making from diverse perspectives.

Assessment

The Communication Department will assess the outcomes for the graduate communication degree program through a combination of written and performance examinations and assignments in addition to self, peer, instructor, and communication faculty evaluations and reviews. These outcomes will be outlined in detail in individual course syllabi. The school internally sets benchmarks for assessment.

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