Strategic Communication, MA

The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication is a 100% online program and is designed so that students can complete the degree in as little as 18 months. The program is tailored to working professionals and any graduate student interested in strategically creating, disseminating, analyzing, and managing communication messages. We currently offer three cognate areas: (a) Strategic Social Media, (b) Leadership Communication, and (c) Health and Crisis Communication.

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.

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Core Courses		9
COMM 600	Introduction to Graduate Study in Communication	2
COMM 601	Applied Methods of Communication Research	3
COMM 623	Applied Communication Theory	3
COMM 599	Capstone	1
Cognate Areas: Students must select a cognate area from the options below.		12
Cognate Area Option 1: Strategic Social Media
Required courses:
COMM 540	Strategic Social Media	3
COMM 542	Social Media Metrics and Analytics	3
Select six credits from the following:
COMM 516	Social Media Content Creation	3
COMM 517	Social Media Platforms	3
COMM 541	Social Media Entrepreneurship	3
COMM 630	Communication in Organizations	3
COMM 645	Intercultural Communication Theory	3
COMM 575	Political Communication	3
COMM 531	Risk Communication	3
COMM 691	Advanced Communication Studies	3
MGMT 601	Business Analytics and Information Strategy	3
MKTG 620	Strategic Marketing	3
MKTG 625	Brand Management	3
POLIT 570	Fundamentals of Political Strategy	3
POLIT 571	Fundamentals of Electoral Messaging	3
SOWK 611	Dynamics of Racism & Discrimination	3
	Any graduate elective in Communication
Cognate Area Option 2: Health and Crisis Communication
Required courses:
COMM 510	Crisis Communication	3
COMM 538	Health Communication	3
Select six credits from the following:
COMM 531	Risk Communication
COMM 537	Communication and Health Disparities	3
COMM 540	Strategic Social Media	3
COMM 575	Political Communication	3
COMM 645	Intercultural Communication Theory	3
COMM 691	Advanced Communication Studies	3
CHFD 501	American Families in Poverty	3
CHFD 546	Culture, Ethnicity & Family	3
SOWK 611	Dynamics of Racism & Discrimination	3
MKTG 620	Strategic Marketing	3
	Any graduate elective in Communication
Cognate Area Option 3: Leadership Communication
Required Courses:
COMM 559	Leadership and Communication	3
COMM 630	Communication in Organizations	3
Select six credits from the following:
COMM 510	Crisis Communication	3
COMM 531	Risk Communication	3
COMM 540	Strategic Social Media	3
COMM 575	Political Communication	3
COMM 608	Communication Pedagogy	3
COMM 645	Intercultural Communication Theory	3
COMM 650	Technology and Human Connection	3
COMM 691	Advanced Communication Studies	3
	Any graduate elective in Communication
MKTG 620	Strategic Marketing	3
MGMT 601	Business Analytics and Information Strategy	3
MGMT 650	Managing People in Organizations	2
MGMT 689	Leading and Influencing	1
General Electives		9
Students should select 9 credit hours of general electives at the graduate level. Only 6 graduate credit hours can be taken outside of the School of Communication.