Strategic Communication, M.A.

Core Courses (20 credit hours)

• CO 552 - Strategic Communication & Leadership (3)
• CO 591 - Communication Theory & Research Methods (3)
• CO 632 - Strategic Communications & Social Media (3)

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• CO 698 - Professional Services Capstone (3) or
• CO 699 - Research Based Capstone (3)

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• MK 610 - Marketing Management (3)
• MK 620 - Digital Marketing Communication (3)
• OD 650 - Strategic Communication (3)

Concentrations

Students must choose one of the concentrations below to complete their degree program.

Marketing Concentration

• MK 611 - International Marketing (3)
• MK 613 - Integrated Marketing Communication (3)
• MK 615 - Marketing Strategy (3)
• MK 617 - Marketing Analysis (3)
• MK 620 - Digital Marketing Communication (3)

Project Management Concentration

• PM 672 - The Practice of Project Management (3)
• PM 673 - Tools & Technology of Project Management (3)
• PM 674 - Case Study & Application of Project Management (3)
• PM 677 - Six Sigma (3)

Strategic Human Resources Concentration

• OD 662 - Strategic HR Management (3)
• OD 664 - Workforce Planning & Employment (3)
• OD 667 - Total Rewards & Risk Management (3)
• OD 668 - Employee & Labor Relations (3)
• OD 679 - Training & Development (3)

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.

Professional Conduct

Students in the program are expected to conduct themselves as professionals-in-training both inside and outside the virtual classroom. We encourage and expect students to treat others (including classmates and instructors) with sensitivity and dignity. Impairment, incompetence, ethical misconduct, and/or problematic behavior may be identified and addressed in a variety of ways and by a variety of persons, including but not limited to students, faculty, supervisors, clients, and/or members of the community. If student behaviors or attitudes are egregious, he or she may be dismissed immediately. If student behaviors or attitudes are less dire, they will be addressed in a confidential meeting with the student’s faculty advisor and/or Dean of the College of Professional Schools who will make a plan for remediation in an articulated time frame. At the end of the stated period, during which time the students would be placed on probation, he or she could return to Student in Good Standing status, continue on probation, or be dismissed depending upon the ability to successfully complete the corrective action. Students may appeal this process at any time.

Outcomes

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

Society Of Human Resources Management (SHRM) Outcomes

1. Strategic Technology Leadership
   • Lead and manage technology initiatives aligning with organizational goals, leveraging advanced knowledge from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) subjects.
   • Develop and execute technology strategies that support business objectives, fostering innovative and competitive advantage.
2. Technology Solution Design and Implementation
   • Apply interdisciplinary knowledge to design, implement, and manage technology solutions that address complex problems in industry and academia.
   • Evaluate and select appropriate technologies and methodologies for specific business needs, considering the advantages and limitations of various technology platforms.
3. Team and Project Management
   • Demonstrate leadership and project management skills to manage multidisciplinary technology teams effectively, ensuring collaboration, communication, and successful project delivery.
   • Utilize best practices in project management, communication, and collaboration to lead technology projects and initiatives, meeting deadlines and budget constraints.
4. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
   • Communicate complex technology strategies and solutions to various stakeholders, including executives, non-technical team members, and external partners, using clear and compelling oral, written, and visual communication.
   • Engage stakeholders in technology decision-making processes, ensuring alignment with business goals and stakeholder expectations.
5. Ethical and Legal Considerations in Technology
   • Critically evaluate technology management decisions’ ethical, legal, and social implications, applying ethical principles and professional standards to ensure responsible technology use.
   • Design and implement technology solutions and policies that comply with legal and ethical standards, addressing issues such as data privacy, security, and the social impact of technology.

Assessment

Students will be assessed through a combination of written and performance examinations and assignments in addition to self, peer, instructor, and communication faculty evaluations and reviews. These assessments will be outlined in detail in individual course syllabi.