Strategic Communication, M.A.

Katherine Thweatt, Graduate Director

28B Hewitt Union

315-312-3524

Admission Information

Program Information

Communication Studies Department

Strategic Communication (34 cr)

1. Core Requirements (19 cr)

COM 500 - Introduction to Strategic Communication Credit: 3
COM 501 - Applied Communication Theory Credit: 3
COM 503 - Applied Research Methods Credit: 4
COM 508 - Global Media Literacy Credit: 3
COM 590 - Strategic Communication Thesis/Applied Project Credit: 3-6, *
* Students choosing a 3 credit hour non-thesis directed project will need to complete an additional 0-3 elective hours.

2. Areas of Specialization (15 cr)

Select one are of specialization from A, B, or C.

A. HEALTH COMMUNICATION

This area of concentration is designed to explore messages that influence public and personal health. These topics include patient-provider relationships, health campaigns, medical ethics, and health literacy. This program will teach students how to create and disseminate effective health messages. Graduates of the program will be prepared to pursue a doctoral degree as well as work in various settings, including local and state health departments, hospitals, public relations firms, biotechnology companies, social service agencies and federal agencies.

Required Courses (9 cr)
COM 512 - Interpersonal Communication in Health Care Credit: 3
COM 514 - Crisis Communication Credit: 3
COM 516 - Survey of Health Communication Credit: 3
Select two courses from below, under advisement (6 cr):
COM 520 - Health Campaigns Credit: 3
COM 595 - Strategic Communication Seminar Credit: 1 to 3
CMA 596 - Graduate Global Experience Credit: 3 to 9
MBA 600 - Healthcare Systems in the U.S. Credit: 3
Other courses may be selected under advisement.

B. INTEGRATED MEDIA AND SOCIAL NETWORKS

This area of concentration is designed to examine the current media landscape and provide hands on experience in analyzing and solving the media challenges facing today’s organizatin. Graduates of the program will be able to lead or supervise the creation of media messages within the corporate, public or not-for-profit settings.

REQUIRED COURSES (6 cr):
CMA 600 - Integrated Media and Design Credit: 3
CMA 601 - Special Projects in Integrated Media and Design Credit: 3
CHOOSE OPTION 1 OR 2 FROM BELOW, UNDER ADVISEMENT (9 CR):

OPTION 1:
BRC 520 - Technology and Culture Credit: 3
Select two courses from the following, under advisement (6 cr):
ART 509 - Graduate Multimedia Credit: 3
HCI 500 - Introduction to Human Computer Interaction Credit: 3
BRC 521 - Social Networks and the Web Credit: 3
OPTION 2:
ART 509 - Graphic Multimedia Credits / Units: 3
ART 513 - Graduate Digital Illustration Credit: 3
CMA 596 - Graduate Global Experience Credit: 3 to 9
Other courses under advisement

C. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

This area of concentration is designed to investigate how various communication functions, message design and flow, and message structure contribute to organizational communication effectiveness. This program will examine how communicating is used as a strategic asset in organizational life. It will allow students to study leadership form a perspective of individual differences and to examine how communication is used to navigate organizational hierarchies. The track will also examine how to enhance communication performance through understanding, leadership, management styles, ethics and training. Graduates of this program will be prepared to pursue a doctoral degree as well as work in various organizational settings at all levels, including human resource departments, training and development, and management.

REQUIRED COURSES (9 cr):
COM 562 - Interpersonal Communication in Organizations Credit: 3
COM 565 - Organizational Communication Graduate Seminar Credit: 3
COM 580 - Ethics and Conflict in Organizations Credit: 3
Select two courses from the following, under advisement (6 cr):
COM 504 - Organizational Leadership and Team Building Credit: 3
COM 522 - Intercultural Communication Credit: 3
COM 595 - Strategic Communication Seminar Credit: 1 to 3
CMA 596 - Graduate Global Experience Credit: 3 to 6
Other courses under advisement.