Master of Science in Strategic Communication Online

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Discover the strategic practices and analytical processes used to research and create informed, audience-based communication initiatives.

Apply by: 12/26/24
Start class: 1/16/25
Request Info

Program Overview

Accelerate your professional growth with our online M.S. in Strategic Communication

Prepare for success as a responsible and professional leader in today’s competitive digital and global communication environment with the Master of Science in Strategic Communication online program. Gain strategy, research and storytelling expertise—and be well positioned to take advantage of career opportunities in a wide variety of sectors, including corporate, government, nonprofit and entrepreneurial.

Through this unique, intradisciplinary degree program, you will focus on qualitative and quantitative data-driven strategies and new digital communication channels to address the current and future challenges of strategic communicators. Implement communication strategies in real-life situations by focusing on both theoretical elements and research in applied projects and case studies. Take advantage of writing labs to gain hands-on experiential learning and build quality research skills. Customize your degree program by choosing a capstone or thesis option.

In this strategic communications master’s program, you will:

  • Create audience-centered messages
  • Design, conduct and analyze media-related research
  • Increase numeracy and proficiency with statistical analysis, including statistical computer programs
  • Apply theories to identify and overcome limitations that mass communicators face
  • Use data and research to plan effective media strategies
  • Design, conduct and analyze persuasive campaigns
In this strategic communications master’s program, you will:+
  • Create audience-centered messages
  • Design, conduct and analyze media-related research
  • Increase numeracy and proficiency with statistical analysis, including statistical computer programs
  • Apply theories to identify and overcome limitations that mass communicators face
  • Use data and research to plan effective media strategies
  • Design, conduct and analyze persuasive campaigns

Career outcomes for the master’s in strategic communications degree online include:

  • Media Relations Manager
  • Publicist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Social Media Outreach Coordinator
  • Campaign Manager
  • Marketing Consultant
  • Internal Communications Manager
Career outcomes for the master’s in strategic communications degree online include:+
  • Media Relations Manager
  • Publicist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Social Media Outreach Coordinator
  • Campaign Manager
  • Marketing Consultant
  • Internal Communications Manager

Also available:

Lamar University offers a variety of business degree options. Check out our other online programs.

Total Tuition $10,262*
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30
Request Info Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-223-7675

Call 866-223-7675

Tuition

Get the details on our pay-as-you-go tuition

The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing the online master’s degree program in strategic communications. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
M.S. Strategic Communication $342 $1,026 $10,262

*University fees are included in the tuition listed. University fees are able to be covered by Financial Aid if you choose to apply and are qualified.

Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice due to action by the Board of Regents or the Texas State Legislature.

Total program cost depends upon transfer hours and program advisement relevant to program requirements. For more information, contact a Lamar University enrollment specialist.

Financial Aid

Ready to get started on your degree program online but need help finding ways to fund your education? We can help you discover student financing sources that include grants, loans and other payment options. Learn more about financial aid here.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $10,262*
Per Credit Hour $342

Calendar

Follow these dates to apply, enroll and start classes

Our M.S. in Strategic Communication online program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.

View full calendar  + 

8 week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/14/249/23/249/30/2410/7/2412/12/24
Spring I1/16/2512/26/241/2/251/9/253/7/25
Spring II3/17/252/24/253/3/253/10/255/7/25
Summer I5/29/255/8/255/15/255/20/257/31/25
Fall 18/21/258/7/258/7/258/15/25
Fall 29/29/259/15/259/15/259/23/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 12/26/24
Class Starts 1/16/25

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

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Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

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Admissions

Your guideline for admission to our strategic communication online degree program

The Master of Science in Strategic Communication online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

Admission Requirements:

  • Submit your application and one-time $25 application fee online
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Official transcripts
View all admission requirements +

University Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (cumulative or last 60 hours, 4.0 system). No GRE is required.

All applicants must submit official transcript(s) indicating: 1) The conferred bachelor's or master's degree as required for the program of application from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent. 2) The transcript of the most recent attendance if it differs from the institution of the conferred degree. This requirement applies regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired. However, if a department or program wishes to review additional transcripts from prior attendance for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.

Send all required documents to:

Lamar University Online Admissions
PO Box 10017
Beaumont, TX 77710

OR

Submit electronically to [email protected].

Check to see if the program is offered to residents in your state before applying by clicking here.

Courses

Here’s what you will study in our online strategic communication master’s program

The M.S. in Strategic Communication online program consists of 10 courses (30 credit hours). You may choose a capstone or thesis option.

Expand All
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the professional expectations and opportunities in the study of strategic communication. An overview of the field and an introduction to graduate studies will be included.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This graduate seminar course is designed to provide a broad overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods with a particular focus on strategic communication.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide an in-depth look at the dominant theories used in the study of human communication through the lens of strategic communication.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will train students on advanced methods of planning and developing research, message, channel and dissemination, budgeting, and measurement strategies in strategic communication campaigns.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This graduate seminar course is designed to provide a broad overview of theories, approaches, and research findings of how and why persuasion works. This course seeks to teach students about the ethical principles involved in the creation, distribution, and reception of persuasive messages.

Students can choose four of the following elective courses. 

Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers an overview of digital strategic communication and social media campaigns and in-depth discussion on topics in this area, in a seminar format.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This graduate seminar course focuses on data analysis. The focus of the course will be on decisions and interpretations of data analysis.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A further and detailed discussion about communication theories and their application in strategic communication processes and areas.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course gives students an in-depth look at the interdisciplinary study of health communication. Topics include but are not limited to public health, patient-provider communication, health campaigns and messaging, health/sexuality/gender, global health, health disparities, representations of illness in the media, and the rhetoric of health and medicine.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce students to theories and research on the connection between mass media, citizens, and politics. The students will study the styles and modes of persuasion, language, and rhetoric used in the political arena.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A major element of the strategic communication field is advocating for a specific product, policy, cause, or person. This class examines and helps you develop strong advocation plans.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In our increasingly globalized world, it is important to develop cultural competency. This class will examine a variety of global communication theories and cultural issues, their historic roots, and methods for successful interaction despite the existence of these issues and obstacles.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to give students a theoretical, as well as practical experience with issues of gender, race, identity, and class as they manifest in mediated artifacts of popular culture and strategic communication. The course is taught from a cultural studies perspective where students will gain skills in critical analysis and media literacy. Concepts of power, privilege, justice, representations, hegemony, consumption, and resistance will be woven throughout course readings, films, assignments, and discussions.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This project course is designed to let students conduct a capstone project to solve an applied issue in the area of strategic communication to examine their capacity to apply what they have learned to solve real communication problems. The project topic needs to be approved and the project report (no less than 7,500 words) will be graded by the course instructor. Prerequisite: Approval of graduate advisor.

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