Strategic Communication Master’s Program Degree Requirements

We consult regularly with our professional faculty and the region’s top communication executives from our one-of-a-kind Strategic Communication Leadership Network to determine the skills and curriculum our students need to become successful strategic communicators in today’s competitive marketplace. The required coursework falls into four categories that reflect the areas strategic communicators must master.

Minimum Requirements 

To graduate from the Strategic Communication Master’s program, you’ll need to meet a few minimums:

48
total graduate credit
(500- or 600-level)
6
elective credits
3.00
cumulative UO gpa

Strategic Communication Core Courses—All Students Complete

These four courses will build a foundation in communication ethics and cover industry best practices for strategic communication in any industry. Everyone in your cohort will take these courses. Take a look at a sample schedule to see when most students take each course.

Code Title Credits
J610 Communication Ethics in the Digital Age 4
J621 Foundations of Strategic Communication 4
J623 Creativity in Strategic Communication 4
J624 Project Management and Planning 2

Business Core Courses—All Students Complete

These three required courses have an emphasis on marketing and management.

Code Title Credits
J616 Intro to Strategic Communication Marketing 4
J618 Strategic Communication Management 4
J624 Finance for Strategic Communication 2

Mass Communication Core Courses—All Students Complete

These required courses will give you the mass communication theory, research skills, and applied practice you’ll need to round out your professional toolbox.

Code Title Credits
J611 Mass Communication and Society 4
J641 Qualitative Research Methods 4
J642 Quantitative Research Methods 4

Terminal Project—All Students Complete

Your capstone project (J609) is an applied communication plan addressing a strategic communication problem or issue that’s directly applicable to improving the marketing of a process, service, procedure, idea, or product. Many students complete projects for their current employers, and most add it to their portfolios. Past projects include an FBI social media policy for first-person shooter incidents, a rebranding schema for a healthcare company, and a brand and communication plan for a nonprofit.


Electives—Complete 6+ Credits

You’ll need a total of six J610 elective credits. Work with your advisor to select from the 2- and 4-credit courses available each term through the Strategic Communication program.

Past Topics
Crisis Communication
Political Communication
Corporate Social Responsibility
Strategic Social Responsibility
Strategic Social Media
Building Strong Brands—Strategy to Creative
Design for Visual Communication

Questions?

Need some guidance? Here are a few options:

  1. Download our graduate handbook for more details about program requirements and resources.
  2. Contact our graduate recruiter with questions about the program, the application process, and admission.