Master of Science in Strategic Communication

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Students should consult the General Regulations section ofthe Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding Graduate School admission requirements, transfer credit, and other critical policies and procedures.

The Master of Science Degree in Strategic Communication, offered by the Hall School of Journalism and Communication in Troy University’s College of Communication and Fine Arts, is modeled on a futuristic perspective and detours from traditional graduate programs. This is a program that focuses on the leading-edges of communication issues and positions graduates for immediate responses to the new realities facing today’s communication industries.

The online delivery system of the Strategic Communication program appeals to professionals across various disciplines seeking to add the skills of effective communication and leadership recognized as valued and critical to professional success in all major professions. Prior to completion of the program, the student will successfully complete a capstone strategic communication course.

Upon completion of the degree program, the student will have a thorough knowledge of critical thinking regarding strategic communication through a myriad of courses ranging from communication research to theories of strategic communication, ethics and legal issues in communication to advertising and public relations and online media communication systems. The student will succeed in a theoretically grounded, multifaceted media learning environment.

The following outlines the additional expected program learning outcomes of participants enrolled in the Master of Science Degree in Strategic Communication:

Knowledge of digital media and multimedia platforms as they pertain to communication and leadership;
Academic research skills in strategic communication and related scholarly fields;
Critical thinking;
Written professional communication skills;
Professional network formation;
Knowledge of and the skills to study the emerging communication trends and how online media impact the public and communication industries;
Develop a framework on how to use the evolving communication models to better serve the public with information.

Admission Requirements

Unconditional Admission

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average.
Official graduate admission exam results, i.e., GMAT (500 or above) or GRE (1050 or above in verbal and quantitative), or 294 or above on the revised GRE (verbal and quantitative), must be on file.
Provide an official Troy University Letter of Recommendation that addresses the individual’s potential for success in the Master of Science in Strategic Communication.
Provide an official baccalaureate transcript from a regionally accredited college or university.

Conditional Admission

Students who have a 2.75 GPA but meet the minimum GRE/GMAT score requirements and have professional experience may be conditionally admitted on a case-by-case basis. Students with a score of 499-400 on the GMAT or 293-274 on the revised GRE, and an overall 3.0 GPA may also be conditionally admitted to the program

After the student completes the first three 6000 level graduate courses with a “B” (3.0) or better average, the student will be granted unconditional admission. After completing three graduate courses, students not obtaining unconditional admission status will be dropped from the program for one calendar year, after which time the student may petition for readmission. A letter of recommendation is required with all readmission petitions.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 12 semester hours taken at another regionally accredited college or university, with a grade of “B” or better, can be applied toward the degree. These courses must be comparable to Troy University’s courses and must be approved by the Hall School of Journalism and Communication’s graduate faculty.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the courses listed below with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better and successful completion of the required written/oral comprehensive examination is necessary to fulfill requirements for the degree. If a student makes a “D” or “F” in a core or concentration course, the course must be retaken. If the student earns a “D” or “F” in an elective course, the course may be retaken, or another elective course taken in its place. A “B” or better must be earned in the capstone course, COM 6699 , and the research course, COM 6691 .

Required Coursework: (15-18 sh)

COM 6601 - Introduction to Strategic Communication (required for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in a communication-related area)
COM 6600 - Communication and Influence
COM 6605 - Strategic Communication Theories
COM 6691 - Strategic Communication Inquiry and Research
COM 6699 - Strategic Communication Capstone
JRN 6640 - Communication Law and Ethics

Elective Coursework: (15 sh)

Degree Plan

Master of Science in Strategic Communication Degree Plan/Progress Record