University of Delaware's Department of Communication - Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication

The University of Delaware offers a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication that can be completed entirely online in as little as 24 months. The program uses asynchronous instruction, meaning students can access lectures and course materials at any time, and no campus visits are required throughout the course of study. In order to earn their degree, students must complete a total of 30 credit hours, made up of intensive, seven-week courses in topics such as social media management, public relations, digital media strategy, strategic communication theory, and more. UD Online’s MA in Strategic Communication program also features optional concentrations in Public Relations or Digital and Social Media, as well as the option for students to customize their own curriculum based on personal interests or career goals.

The curriculum is comprised of 10 courses, each worth three credits. All students are required to take four core courses: Principles of Strategic Communication, Communication Research, Communication Theory, and Communication and Ethics. There is also a Strategic Communication Capstone course, in which students identify and research a real-world communication issue, then design a project or campaign based on their proposed recommendations for the problem. Along with this core coursework, students select five courses based on their concentration, or from a list of electives, if choosing to create a customized curriculum tailored to their interests.

Students in the Public Relations concentration can select from courses such as Public Relations Campaign Planning, Communication and Persuasion, Reputation Management, Crisis Communication, Public Relations Writing, and Branding. The Digital and Social Media Concentration features courses such as Social Media and Communication, Interactive Marketing, Writing for Social Media, Digital Media Content Strategy, Social Media Management, and User Data Analytics. For those designing a customized curriculum, UD Online offers a wide range of electives in communication-related fields. Examples of available elective courses include Effective Health Communication, Digital Political Strategy, Sports Communication and Branding, Media Analytics, and Communication and Leadership.

In order to qualify for admission, students need a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university. There is a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.0; however, applicants with a lower GPA may still be considered based on their other qualifications. Students with a cumulative undergraduate GPA below 3.25 will also need to submit GRE scores. Those with a GPA of 3.25 or higher may qualify for a GRE waiver. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation from professional references, but can also include recommendations from professors or other academic references who can speak to their aptitude and potential. No prior work experience in communication is required.

The University of Delaware is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.