Strategic Communication Careers

The University of Oregon's master's degree in strategic communication prepares experienced professionals to lead communication strategy for businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. Built for working professionals and taught at SOJC Portland in Oregon's largest media market, the program develops the research, campaign planning, crisis, strategic, and management skills that senior and executive communication roles demand. Students learn alongside a cohort of peers and connect directly with industry leaders through the Strategic Communication Leadership Network.

Most students are already working when they enroll, and they apply what they learn to their current jobs and to client capstone projects throughout the program. Graduates move into leadership across corporate communication, public relations, agencies, public affairs, and mission-driven organizations, with the strategic depth to advise leaders not just execute tactics.

Where Our Strategic Communication Graduates Work

Industries

  • Corporate and in-house communication
  • Public relations and consulting agencies
  • Government and public affairs
  • Nonprofits and foundations
  • Independent consulting and communication ventures

Job Roles

  • Chief communication officer
  • Internal communication director
  • Crisis communication manager
  • External affairs or public affairs director
  • Corporate communication or PR manager
  • Communication consultant or strategist
  • Senior copywriter or creative strategist

Meet Our Alumni

As communications director for a regional office of gun violence prevention, Ariana Donaville, BS '17 (public relations), MS '20 (strategic communication), speaks out about violence prevention.
Luke Walker ’24, a dual master’s graduate of the Immersive Media Communication and Strategic Communication master’s programs, suggested improvements to NASA’s video game strategy.
Through the Strategic Communication Master’s program, Natalia Orozco ’21 upped her strategy game and made a contact that helped her land her dream job as a director at Spitfire Strategies.
With a passion for social-change communication and the skills she gained at the SOJC, Maeve Connor is helping people experiencing homelessness in Portland.
Using the skills she acquired in the areas of branding, communication theory and messaging, MJ Jackson realized her dream of a career in the great outdoors.
Alum Olyvia Chac-Nguyen infuses her clever copywriting with brand strategy, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The first SOJC grad to get a master’s in both strategic communication and multimedia journalism, Tiara Darnell parlayed her skills into a successful career in podcast production.
For his capstone project, Enton Lok used immersive media to heighten users’ feelings of empathy and connection with young people through Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.
By day, Jules Walters was a city councilor for West Linn, Oregon. By night, she tackled her master’s degree in strategic communication.
Jen Luecht co-founded her communication shop on the principle that female leadership and strategic business can shape communities. Her master’s in strategic communication has helped realize the goal.

Ready to Build Your Career in Strategic Communication?

Explore how UO's Strategic Communication master's prepares you to lead communication strategy in corporate, agency, government, and nonprofit settings.