Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Strategic Communication M.A.School of Journalism & Mass Communication
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 111 Murphy Hall, 206 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-1338; fax: 612-626-8251)
Email:
sjmcgrad@umn.edu
Website: https://hsjmc.umn.edu/
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The Strategic Communication MA is designed to serve working communications professionals in advertising, public relations, corporate communications, nonprofit organizations, and government. The 30-credit program, which can be completed in 24 calendar months, is conceptually and structurally distinct from the academic master's degree in mass communication in that it focuses on advanced professional study of communications strategy, media, planning, evaluation, and creative management. The MA in strategic communication curriculum is tailored to provide the best foundation for future communications leaders, recognizing that the communication industry is changing rapidly. With digital communication continuing to transform the industry, and massive organizational and global forces reshaping the U.S. economy, communications leaders face significant challenges and can prepare themselves through in-depth study of strategic process management.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or its foreign equivalent is required.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Graduate School accepted ELP exams
Special Application Requirements:
In addition to the baccalaureate degree, professionals in strategic communication -- currently employed in advertising, public relations, or marketing firms, or in a communications or related function within a corporation or nonprofit organization -- should have at least two years of professional experience. This professional experience can be in any of the following areas: account planning, account management, advertising management, media planning or buying, media sales, promotion marketing, corporate communications, public affairs, public relations, investor relations, direct marketing, sales management, marketing management, brand management, broadcast or print journalism, market research, content creation, or event management.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
27 to 30
major credits and
0 to 3
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: The project requires completion of the capstone course (JOUR 8206), in consultation with the advisor and academic director, that supports completion of the student’s strategic communication campaign project.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
All coursework must be taken on the A-F grading basis.
Required Courses (21 credits)
Take the following courses:
JOUR 5251 - Strategic Communication Theory
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 8200 - Strategic Communication Research Methods
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 8201 - Factors Affecting Communication Strategy
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 8202 - Brand Thinking: Building Brands People Can Believe In
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 8203 - Integration of Communication Strategies Across Media
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 8205 - Strategic Communication Cases & Campaigns
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 8208 - Digital Strategy, Planning and Analytics
(3.0 cr)
Journalism Electives (3-6 credits)
Select 3 to 6 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor and/or academic director.
JOUR 5252 - Issue Management Communication and Brand Advocacy
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 5253 - Content Strategy and Development
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 5501 - Communication, Public Opinion, and Social Media
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 5541 - Mass Communication and Public Health
(3.0 cr)
JOUR 8290 - Special Topics in Strategic Communication
(3.0 cr)
Outside Coursework (0-3 credits)
Select 0 to 3 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor and/or academic director.
COMM 5441 - Communication in Human Organizations
(3.0 cr)
ENTR 6025 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship
(2.0 cr)
ENTR 6041 - Initiating New Product Design and Business Development
(4.0 cr)
EPSY 5261 - Introductory Statistical Methods
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5112 - Information Design: Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5671 - Visual Rhetoric
(3.0 cr)
Individual Project (3 credits)
Complete the following with a minimum grade of B:
JOUR 8206 - Directed Study: Development of an Integrated Strategic Communication Campaign
(3.0 cr)
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Jour 5541/PubH 6074 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 10.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BMEn 8401/Entr 6041/PDes 8221 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3264/5231/5261/5263 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |