Juris Doctor, J.D./Strategic Communication, MA

This Juris Doctor/Master of Strategic Communication program allows students to pursue a law degree and a master's degree simultaneously. The degree prepares students to become professionals who pursue careers in legal and strategic communication settings such as healthcare, social media strategy, public relations, consulting, advocacy, community organizing, and politics. 

Admission Requirements

  • Meet the general requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies.
  • Hold a bachelor's degree in Communication or a closely related area with a grade point average of 2.5 or better.
  • Statement of purpose.

International applicants must meet the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies at The University of Akron to demonstrate their English language proficiency.

Admission decisions will be based on a student's academic credentials and the ability to explain why they would like to pursue a professional online M.A. in Strategic Communication and their potential to succeed in an online environment.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete the following:

All required courses for the J.D. must be met for the completion of that degree. The course list below details the requirements for the M.A. in Strategic Communication. 

Strategic Communication Required Courses
COMM 600Introduction to Graduate Study in Communication2
COMM 599Capstone1
COMM 623Applied Communication Theory3
COMM 601Applied Methods of Communication Research3
Strategic Communication Cognate Options6
Strategic Social Media Cognate Option
COMM 540Strategic Social Media
COMM 542Social Media Metrics and Analytics
Health and Crisis Communication Cognate Option
COMM 510Crisis Communication
COMM 538Health Communication
Strategic Leadership in Organizations Cognate Option
COMM 559Leadership and Communication
COMM 630Communication in Organizations
Graduate Elective Courses in Communication6
Select 6 credits from the following:
COMM 516Social Media Content Creation
COMM 517Social Media Platforms
COMM 531Risk Communication
COMM 537Communication and Health Disparities
COMM 541Social Media Entrepreneurship
COMM 575Political Communication
COMM 645Intercultural Communication Theory
COMM 691Advanced Communication Studies
Any graduate course in COMM
Law School Electives9
Select 9 credits from the following:
LAWX 675Entrepreneurship
LAWX 800Fundamentals of Intellectual Property
LAWX 803Copyright Law
LAWX 806International Intellectual Property Law
LAWX 684Seminar in Selected Legal Problems
LAWX 712Technology in Law
Total Hours30