Information on Master’s Degree Programs in Strategic Communications
Majors Overview June 29, 2015Students in master’s degree programs in strategic communications will learn how to improve and analyze organizations and businesses. They will become skilled in helping institutions fulfill society’s demands through creative solutions and understanding those demands. These programs help students advance their professional careers to leadership positions.
Information on Strategic Communications Programs
Students enrolled in master’s degree programs in strategic communication are taught organizational development, leadership, and communication techniques in various fields. Not every school offers these programs that are available as both on-campus and online programs. It is available at some schools in an accelerated executive format. Students enrolled in the online programs may be required to participate in one or more on-campus residencies; a research or capstone project requirement is often in both formats.
Related Degree Programs
Graduate degree programs in communications, business, or organizational development help students develop communication or leadership skills. Some schools offer these programs in both on-campus and online formats. Related master’s degree programs include:
•Master of Arts (M.A.)in Communications
•Master of Arts (M.A.)in Organizational Leadership
•Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a management communication concentration
•Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
•Master of Science (M.S.)in Organizational Communication
Master’s Programs in Strategic Communications
Students enrolled in programs in strategic communications may be awarded a Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), or a professional master’s degree. These programs have similar curricula; however, the coursework of the professional degrees is typically devised to serve the needs of individuals currently pursuing professional communications careers.
Students enrolled in strategic communications master’s degree programs are trained to assume executive-level communications professional roles in helping organizations and businesses make optimal decisions aimed at achieving various goals. Students learn about analyzing the networks and structure of global industries, local businesses, non-profit groups, government agencies, and other institutions. Students also learn about providing solutions to problems, reaching out to targeted audiences and designing agendas.
Strategic communications students learn about effective utilization of contemporary forms of communication, including blogs, social media, and pod-casts. They look into business topics such as advertising, market research methods, key messages, promotions, and public relations. They may also learn ways of communicating with target audiences by giving them a grasp of the power of decision-making factors, opinions, and persuasive promotion tactics. Students also gain numerous practical skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, reasoning, analysis, public speaking, and writing.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria in competitive strategic communications master’s degree programs typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree. Applicants are also expected to have significant work experience in communications or a relevant career area.
Coursework
Coursework includes subject areas such as business, communications, and social studies. Leaders of successful industries may sometimes be in lectures. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Visual and creative communications
•Global Communications
•Political Communications
•Public relations and positioning
•Organizational leadership
•Strategic communications theory
•Strategic writing
•Corporate social responsibility
•Crisis management
•Marketing communications
Career Choices
Program graduates can seek career advancement through leadership positions or new jobs in management. They may work in political, medical, legal, educational, or business sectors, and choose from possible job positions such as:
•Consultant
•Supervisor
•Vice President
•CEO
•Public relations manager
•Human resources director
