Strategic Communication
Master of Arts
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$893
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Strategic Communication Online Masters Program is a professional degree built to empower communicators to unleash their individual potential. This online Master of Arts program requires nine courses (30 credits) and a capstone project. Courses are taught by leading communications faculty and re-tooled to provide an excellent online learning experience, giving students the flexibility they need to accommodate a busy life and the rigor they need to be able to succeed.
Program Highlights
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences at MSU is ranked a top five college in the nation for communication and media studies by QS Worldwide Survey.
Program Outcomes
Digital communications in all of its forms demands to be integrated strategically in advertising, public relations and media. With a master's degree in Strategic Communication from MSU, graduates should be prepared to:
- Become a leader in driving technology behind marketing
- Develop a digital marketing strategy
- Apply the latest digital innovations such as mobile, social media, location based services and big data to marketing campaigns
- Integrate marketing, advertising, sales and logistics across physical and digital channels
- Collect, analyze and interpret digital marketing data to inform decision-making
Career Outlook
According to data from an October 2020 survey of current and former MSU StratCom students, half reported receiving a raise or promotion while in the program or after completing it. The average raise reported among the respondents was more than $14,000.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Kelly Gaggin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Strategic Communication M.A. Program
Dr. Gaggin is an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. She has more than two decades of experience in corporate and agency environments encompassing a multitude of industries including: education, health care, technology, defense, nonprofit, tourism/hospitality and financial services/banking.
Her professional background and personal interest in world cultures motivate a research agenda rooted in exploring public relations and strategic communications as drivers of cross-cultural understanding and relationship-building with special attention to nonprofit organizations and the populations they serve. She earned a Ph.D. in mass communications and an M.S. in communications management from Syracuse University, and completed her undergraduate study in business administration, marketing and economics at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.
Course Information
Core
CAS 828 - Persuasion Techniques for Working Professionals (3 Credits)
CAS 829 - Evaluation Techniques for Working Professionals (3 Credits)
CAS 832 - Strategic Message Development (3 Credits)
CAS 842 - Professional Communication Ethics (3 Credits)
CAS 844 - Capstone/Practicum (3 Credits)
Elective
CAS 827 - Digital Media Strategies (3 Credits)
CAS 831 - Digital Content Creation, Curation and Promotion (3 Credits)
CAS 833 - Crisis Communication (3 Credits)
CAS 835 - Branding and Image Communication (3 Credits)
CAS 837 - Catalyst Thinking in the C-Suite (3 Credits)
CAS 839 - Media Analytics for Communication Professionals (3 Credits)
CAS 840 - Audience Analytics (3 Credits)
CAS 841 - Social Media Storytelling (3 Credits)
CAS 838 - Organizational Communication for Leaders and Entrepreneurs (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience
Résumé/CV - Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- A written personal statement
Academic Statement (one-page narrative of your academic journey)
Personal Statement (one-page narrative or your personal journey. i.e. family, growing up, hobbies, etc.) - 3 letters of recommendation
Please provide email addresses for your recommenders.
Note: An email will be sent out to your recommenders providing them the information on where to go to submit their letters electronically so please be sure to list accurate information. The department will only accept letters submitted via the online system. The department will not accept letters submitted through any other format. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Send all transcripts to Michigan State University.
Applicants from China:
During the application process, applicants submit certified copies (sealed and stamped by institutions) of all post-secondary transcripts, graduation certificates and degrees directly to the Strategic Communication program. MSU requires these documents in the original language (Chinese) as well as an official English translation. Effective Spring 2015, Michigan State University will require all incoming admitted students pursuing degrees or who have earned degrees from universities in China to submit a verification report (English version only) through the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) for their final bachelor degree transcripts (大学成绩单) and bachelor degree (本科学位证书).
All verification reports need to be sent to the MSU Office of Admissions directly by CDGDC. For those Master degree granted student, we only need the undergraduate level verification report from CDGDC. Please refer to the CDGDC website for more information: chinadegrees.cn/en TOEFL or IELTS test scores for international students -International students from countries where English is not the native language will be required to take the TOEFL test. TOEFL - The department requires a minimum of 91 IBT with no sub-scores below 22, or a 237 CBT with no sub-scores below 22 or a 580 PBT with no sub-scores below 55. Reported scores must be no older than 2 years. The department requires a minimum of 6.5.
Key Dates
Rolling Applications
Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend submitting applications at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,729.50
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The Strategic Communication Online Masters Program is a professional degree built to empower communicators to unleash their individual potential. This online Master of Arts program requires nine courses (30 credits) and a capstone project. Courses are taught by leading communications faculty and re-tooled to provide an excellent online learning experience, giving students the flexibility they need to accommodate a busy life and the rigor they need to be able to succeed.
Program Highlights
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences at MSU is ranked a top five college in the nation for communication and media studies by QS Worldwide Survey.
Program Outcomes
Digital communications in all of its forms demands to be integrated strategically in advertising, public relations and media. With a master's degree in Strategic Communication from MSU, graduates should be prepared to:
- Become a leader in driving technology behind marketing
- Develop a digital marketing strategy
- Apply the latest digital innovations such as mobile, social media, location based services and big data to marketing campaigns
- Integrate marketing, advertising, sales and logistics across physical and digital channels
- Collect, analyze and interpret digital marketing data to inform decision-making
Career Outlook
According to data from an October 2020 survey of current and former MSU StratCom students, half reported receiving a raise or promotion while in the program or after completing it. The average raise reported among the respondents was more than $14,000.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Kelly Gaggin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Strategic Communication M.A. Program
Dr. Gaggin is an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. She has more than two decades of experience in corporate and agency environments encompassing a multitude of industries including: education, health care, technology, defense, nonprofit, tourism/hospitality and financial services/banking.
Her professional background and personal interest in world cultures motivate a research agenda rooted in exploring public relations and strategic communications as drivers of cross-cultural understanding and relationship-building with special attention to nonprofit organizations and the populations they serve. She earned a Ph.D. in mass communications and an M.S. in communications management from Syracuse University, and completed her undergraduate study in business administration, marketing and economics at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.
Course Information
Core
CAS 828 - Persuasion Techniques for Working Professionals (3 Credits)
CAS 829 - Evaluation Techniques for Working Professionals (3 Credits)
CAS 832 - Strategic Message Development (3 Credits)
CAS 842 - Professional Communication Ethics (3 Credits)
CAS 844 - Capstone/Practicum (3 Credits)
Elective
CAS 827 - Digital Media Strategies (3 Credits)
CAS 831 - Digital Content Creation, Curation and Promotion (3 Credits)
CAS 833 - Crisis Communication (3 Credits)
CAS 835 - Branding and Image Communication (3 Credits)
CAS 837 - Catalyst Thinking in the C-Suite (3 Credits)
CAS 839 - Media Analytics for Communication Professionals (3 Credits)
CAS 840 - Audience Analytics (3 Credits)
CAS 841 - Social Media Storytelling (3 Credits)
CAS 838 - Organizational Communication for Leaders and Entrepreneurs (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience
Résumé/CV - Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- A written personal statement
Academic Statement (one-page narrative of your academic journey)
Personal Statement (one-page narrative or your personal journey. i.e. family, growing up, hobbies, etc.) - 3 letters of recommendation
Please provide email addresses for your recommenders.
Note: An email will be sent out to your recommenders providing them the information on where to go to submit their letters electronically so please be sure to list accurate information. The department will only accept letters submitted via the online system. The department will not accept letters submitted through any other format. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Send all transcripts to Michigan State University.
Applicants from China:
During the application process, applicants submit certified copies (sealed and stamped by institutions) of all post-secondary transcripts, graduation certificates and degrees directly to the Strategic Communication program. MSU requires these documents in the original language (Chinese) as well as an official English translation. Effective Spring 2015, Michigan State University will require all incoming admitted students pursuing degrees or who have earned degrees from universities in China to submit a verification report (English version only) through the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) for their final bachelor degree transcripts (大学成绩单) and bachelor degree (本科学位证书).
All verification reports need to be sent to the MSU Office of Admissions directly by CDGDC. For those Master degree granted student, we only need the undergraduate level verification report from CDGDC. Please refer to the CDGDC website for more information: chinadegrees.cn/en TOEFL or IELTS test scores for international students -International students from countries where English is not the native language will be required to take the TOEFL test. TOEFL - The department requires a minimum of 91 IBT with no sub-scores below 22, or a 237 CBT with no sub-scores below 22 or a 580 PBT with no sub-scores below 55. Reported scores must be no older than 2 years. The department requires a minimum of 6.5.
Key Dates
Rolling Applications
Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend submitting applications at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,729.50
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.