Although our typical student completes the 48-credit program in six terms (two years), you can negotiate a pace that works for you. Each term is 10 weeks long. We offer all our courses on evenings and weekends, and the core classes can be virtual or in person.
This sample schedule reflects our recent curriculum revision and classes offered in AY 2024–25.
Fall Term - First Year
- JCOM 611 Media and Society 4 credits
- JCOM 621 Foundations of Strategic Communication 4 credits
- JCOM 624 Strategic Communication Topic 2 credits
Winter Term - First Year
- JCOM 642 Quantitative Research Methods 4 credits
- JCOM 629 Communication Ethics in the Digital Age 4 credits
- JCOM 624 Strategic Communication Topic 2 credits
Spring Term - First Year
- JCOM 624 Strategic Communication Topic: Strategic Influence 4 credits
- JCOM 616 Intro to Strategic Communication Marketing 4 credits
- JCOM 622 Campaign Planning and Management 2 credits
Fall Term - Second Year
- JCOM 641 Qualitative Research Methods 4 credits
- JCOM 623 Creativity in Strategic Communication 4 credits
- JCOM 625 Finance for Strategic Communication 4 credits
Winter Term - Second Year
- JCOM 618 Strategic Communication Leadership 4 credits
- JCOM 609 Terminal Project 3 credits
Spring Term - Second Year
- JCOM 609 Terminal Project 3 credits
- JCOM 624 Strategic Communication Topic 2 credits
Academic Checklist
In addition to your required courses, you’ve got some tasks to complete between enrollment and graduation. Complete these steps in order, with guidance from your faculty advisor.
- Make contact with your program director. The program director, Attila Schillinger, will be your first point of contact for questions about the program once you’re enrolled, so make sure to introduce yourself. You may select a different advisor for your terminal project. You will also select a second advisor to give input on your final draft.
- Select and confirm committee members. At the beginning of spring term of your first year, you’ll ask faculty members if they will be on a committee to review your terminal project.
- Start planning your terminal project. By the time you complete 24 credits, you should start working with your faculty advisor to shape your project plans. It is recommended that you complete your proposal by no later than the end of fall term of your second year.
- Secure your committee’s approval of your project proposal.
- Apply for graduation. In the second week of the term in which you plan to graduate, fill out the graduation form on GradWeb.
- Complete your oral defense of your terminal project. This should happen at least two weeks before the end of your final term. As part of this process, you will also present your project to the public in a poster format during spring term.
- Submit your capstone project to the SOJC Graduate Programs Office after your advisor has approved the final project.
Questions?
Need some guidance? Here are a few options:
- Download our graduate handbook for more details about program requirements and resources.
- Contact our graduate recruiter with questions about the program, the application process, and admission.