St. Cloud State University offers an online Master of Science in Strategic Media Communications through its Department of Mass Communications. This program prepares students for leadership roles in strategic communications through two stackable graduate certificates in Strategic Digital Communications and Strategic Communication Leadership, which students earn in order to also receive their MS degree. The instructional mode for this program is asynchronous, which maximizes scheduling flexibility for students.
The curriculum for the program is a set of 10 courses that cover foundations of strategic media, applied research for strategic communication, principles of design in strategic communication, advanced campaigns, multimedia storytelling, social media metrics and data analytics, global strategic media communication, digital content strategy, and leadership in strategic media communication. Through these courses, students automatically earn their graduate certificates in Strategic Digital Communications and Strategic Communication Leadership.
The culminating experience in the program is a final project. Students can choose from a professional project, a master’s thesis, a starred paper, or a creative work. For the professional project, students complete a strategic communication related artifact that is relevant to their career interests. For the master’s thesis, students investigate a scholarly research question in strategic communication and write their findings up in a traditional five-chapter thesis format.
The creative work option allows students to create a project that is not necessarily professionally focused, but which still reflects what students have learned in the program. The starred paper allows students to write an academic research paper that does not adhere to the five-chapter thesis format, and which can be shorter in length. For all of the culminating experience options, students receive guidance from faculty advisors, to whom they must also present their work at the end of the program for evaluation.
St. Cloud State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Online Master of Science in Strategic Media Communications
Overview
Department: Department of Mass Communications
Websites: Department
and Program
Program Format
Structure: Online program with no required campus visits
Instruction Methods: Program uses asynchronous instruction
Campus Visits Required: No
Program Length: Program can be completed in 5 semesters (less than 2 years) taking two courses per semester
Start Dates: Fall and Spring admission
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
Credits Required: 30 credits (10 courses)
Thesis Required: No
Capstone Options: Capstone course
Example Courses: Strategic Cases and Campaigns in Advertising; Foundations in Strategic Media Communications; Multimedia Storytelling in Strategic Communication; Digital Content Strategy; Social Media Metrics & Data Analytics; Leadership in Strategic Media Communication
Admission Requirements
Application Requirements: Bachelor's degree; current resume; personal statement; three letters of recommendation
GPA Requirements: Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75
Testing Requirements: GRE not required
Tuition Costs
Estimated Tuition*: ~$15,500 + fees (resident and select nearby states); ~$23,548 + fees (non-resident)
Cost per Credit Hour: $516.67 per credit hour (resident and selected nearby states), $784.94 per credit hour (non-resident)
State Authorizations: Program accepts students from all 50 states
