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Apr 28, 2024
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2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Strategic Communication, M.A.
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 Return to: Graduate Programs
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 30 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.
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Foundation Courses (17 credit hours)
Concentrations (13 credit hours)
Students must choose one of the following concentrations:
Change Management Concentration
Executive Leadership Concentration
Project Management Concentration
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the Strategic Communication program can be found on the Admissions page. Students must also meet the following:
- Have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate or graduate level coursework. Students with a GPA less than 2.75 or at least 2.50 will be admitted provisionally. Students admitted provisionally to the MBA program must achieve a 3.0 GPA on the first nine credits in their program of study.
- The admissions committee will consider all applications to evaluate any additional prerequisite courses needed.
- Submit official transcript/s of the bachelor’s degree as well as any graduate level coursework.
Student Status within the Graduate Program
Student in Good Standing
- Has successfully met all entrance requirements.
- Has maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 or better with no grade below “C” (only two courses with “C” grades are allowed; students may retake a class with a grade below a “C” once).
Probationary Status
- If the student is missing the statistics course requirement, the student must take a stats course within the first two semesters in the program.
- A student may change status from “Student in Good Standing” to “Student on Probation” if any of the following criteria are met: overall GPA falls below 3.0 or student receives a grade of “C” or lower in any course.
- Students on probation due to GPA have six credit hours to return their GPA to 3.0 or above to regain “Good Standing”. Failure to raise the GPA may lead to dismissal from the program.
Admission Requirements/Criteria for 4+1 Program
Undergraduate “4+1” Options
Through early acceptance to select undergraduate “4+1” degree programs, outstanding Avila undergraduate students may earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as few as 5 years. Students accepted to a “4+1” program may earn up to 50% of credit hours at the graduate level to be counted toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Once admitted, a 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate and graduate coursework must be maintained, with no grades below a “B” at the graduate level. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in removal from the “4+1” program. Students may also submit a Graduate Grade Appeal Form to appeal a final grade received in a course. Undergraduate “4+1” students seeking to complete their Master’s degree without interruption, should apply for early graduate school admission during their final semester. More information may be found within participating program.
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.
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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Return to: Graduate Programs
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