Sacred Heart University's School of Communication & Media Arts - Online Master's in Strategic Communication and Public Relations (SCPR)

Sacred Heart University offers an online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Public Relations (SCPR) through its School of Communication & Media Arts. The program is entirely online with no required campus visits, and can be completed in two years of part-time study or one year of accelerated coursework. Courses are delivered through asynchronous instruction, meaning students can view lectures and other course materials on their own schedule, and are not required to log in at set times.

The SCPR program is comprised of 12 courses, or 36 credit hours in total. Curriculum focuses on both theory and practice, preparing students with the advanced knowledge and professional skills they need to craft effective messages and oversee communication campaigns across a wide range of platforms. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through cutting-edge multimedia courses, projects, and internships. They also leave the program with a digital portfolio of their work, compiled as part of their capstone requirement.

Each course in Sacred Heart’s online SCPR program is eight weeks long. In their first year of study, students take courses in Strategic Communication in the Digital Age, Media Ethics in a Professional Context, Crisis Communication, The PR Agency in the Digital Age, and Advertising, PR, and Consumer Culture, as well as a Digital Portfolio/Mentorship course, consisting of faculty-supervised projects tailored to students’ particular area of interest. In their second year, students take Strategic Communication for Diverse Populations, Corporate Communication, Social Media and Strategic Communication, two courses in Multi-Media Communications, and a final capstone course in Strategic Communication.

In order to be considered for admission to the SCPR program, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. They must also submit a resume, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. GRE or GMAT scores are not required, there is no minimum GPA to apply, and applicants do not need any specific type of work experience. Sacred Heart University reviews applications holistically, meaning they consider all of an applicant’s qualifications when deciding who to accept. The program offers three start dates to choose from, with students starting in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Sacred Heart University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

*Estimated tuition is calculated by multiplying the cost per credit hour by the number of credits required to graduate. It does not include fees or other expenses.