The University of Oklahoma offers an online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy through its Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The program is offered fully online and does not require campus visits. Faculty and instructors make use of digital teaching platforms to provide students with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. This combination affords working professionals flexible, accessible scheduling while also providing the opportunity for students to interact with professors and classmates in real-time.
The M.A. in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy is designed to prepare students to apply research skills and insights to improving digital communication campaigns and media strategies. It also prepares students to engage effectively with a wide variety of internal and external-facing communication forms, such as crisis communication and public relations, social media marketing, and organizational communication optimization.
This degree program can be completed in as few as twenty months, with start dates in the fall, spring and summer semesters. The curriculum is comprised of 11 three-credit courses, for a total of 33 credit hours. Typically, students take two courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters until the fifth semester, where they take a Seminar in Professional Development in addition to their two courses. Sample courses include foundational theory and methods courses, such as Research Methods and Marketing & Media Analytics, as well as applied courses in Social Media Marketing, Digital Behavior, Management and Leadership, Strategic Planning and Strategy, and Cross-Cultural Communication.
Courses provide students with applied, practical knowledge to help them advance their professional careers as well as important foundational research skills. Specifically, coursework teaches student how to create messaging campaigns for digital and social media channels, how to lead multi-channel communication teams, how to conduct market research, and how to interpret and apply data analytics to evaluate and improve communication campaigns. Classes are also geared toward preparing students for Industry Certification exams in digital marketing, like those provided by Google, Facebook, and Hootsuite.
The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy
Overview
Department: Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Websites: Department
and Program
Program Format
Structure: Online program with no required campus visits
Instruction Methods: Program uses synchronous and asynchronous instruction
Campus Visits Required: No
Program Length: Program can be completed in as few as 20 months
Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
Credits Required: 33 credit hours (11 courses)
Thesis Required: No
Capstone Options: No capstone requirement (program is coursework only)
Example Courses: Introduction to Research Methods; Marketing & Media Analytics; Social Media Marketing; Digital Behavior; Crisis Communication; Management & Leadership; Cross-Cultural Communication; Digital Strategic Communication; Strategic Planning & Brand Strategy
Admission Requirements
Application Requirements: Bachelor's degree; resume; personal statement
GPA Requirements: Minimum GPA 3.0
Testing Requirements: GRE is not required (However, applicants with fewer than 3 years of work experience in a related field may be required to submit GRE test scores in order to be considered for admission)
Tuition Costs
Estimated Tuition*: ~$26,994 + fees
Cost per Credit Hour: $818 per credit hour
State Authorizations: Program accepts students from all 50 states
