Graduate School B.A. to M.A. Program in Strategic Communication

Open only to selected High Point University students

The B.A. to M.A. program in Strategic Communication is designed for outstanding High Point University undergraduate students. The students must be enrolled in their final year of undergraduate study and have demonstrated academic success in the first three years of coursework. Students accepted into the B.A. to M.A. Program in Strategic Communication will be permitted to enroll in nine hours of advanced coursework that may be applied toward completion of the M.A. degree in Strategic Communication upon completion of the undergraduate baccalaureate degree program. Students will apply for admission into the M.A. program in Strategic Communication immediately upon graduation and continue in the program during the summer and into the following academic year. Upon completion of all graduate coursework and when students submit their applications for graduation, the specified credits completed during the senior year will be transferred onto students’ graduate academic record.

The Strategic Communication program coordinator is Dr. Virginia McDermott. She can be reached at ginny@highpoint.edu or 336-841-9384. For more information, check out the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication website or download an informational brochure today!

 

Find out more about Dr. McDermott and the Communication Graduate Faculty here.

 

Tara Shollenberger is the Strategic Communication graduate staff liaison. If you would like to tour campus or have general admission questions, you may call Tara at 336.841.9483 or email her at tshollen@highpoint.edu.

 

Degree: Masters of Arts

Admission Terms: Fall (August) Senior Year Only

Deadlines for Application Materials: Current HPU undergraduate students interested in the B.A. to M.A. Program in Strategic Communication will apply directly to the Norcross Graduate School by March 15 of the Spring term of their Junior year. If accepted, they will begin B.A. to M.A. classes in the Fall of their Senior Year.To complete the admissions process, students will then apply to the Norcross Graduate School by March 31 of the Spring term of their Senior year and if approved after a second admissions review, will start official graduate level courses during the summer term following their undergraduate graduation.

Required Materials Include:

Phase I (Junior Year – Apply to School of Communication)

  • School of Communication Application;
  • School of Communication B.A. to M.A. program essay;
  • 2 School of Communication reference forms completed by undergraduate professors at HPU (forms provided);
  • Unofficial High Point University transcript with a minimum of 3.0 GPA

Phase II (Senior Year – Apply to Norcross Graduate School)

  • Online application with a nonrefundable $50 application fee;
  • Graduate School B.A. to M.A. essay;
  • One B.A. to M.A. Reference form completed by one of the professors teaching the special B.A. to M.A. Strategic Communication courses (form provided);
  • An official transcripts from all colleges attended (including High Point University); and
  • Professional resume;

Prerequisite Work: None

Comprehensive Examinations: None

Class Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Program of Study (35 semester hours)

Students in the Strategic Communication Master’s Degree program focus on one of two areas: Health Communication or Public Relations. In addition to taking core courses in strategic communication, research methods, and communications technology, each student also takes two courses in their focus area.

Senior Year: (9 Hours)
COM 4996/5000 Strategic Communication Theories, Practices and Ethics
COM 4997/5002 Persuasion and Media Effects
COM 4998/5100 Research Methods
Core Classes: (5 Hours)
COM 5005 Practicum in Strategic Communication
COM 5900 Strategic Communication Project
Methods: Choose One (3 Hours)
COM 5110 Qualitative Methods and Analysis
COM 5120 Quantitative Methods and Analysis
COM 5130 Mixed Methods and Analysis
Technology: Choose Two (6 Hours)
 COM 5200 Message Design and Production
COM 5210 Video and Audio Production
COM 5220 Current Trends in Communication Technology
COM 5250 Topics in Technology for Strategic Communication
Choice of Concentration:
Choose two from concentration area (6 Hours)
Health Communication
COM 5300 Health Communication Research and Strategies
COM 5310 Culture and Health Communication
COM 5320 Interpersonal Health Communication
COM 5330 Health Communication Campaigns
COM 5350 Topics in Health Communication
Public Relations
COM 5400 Public Relations Research and Strategies
COM 5410 International and Intercultural Public Relations
COM 5420 Crisis Communication
COM 5430 Public Relations Campaigns
COM 5450 Topics in Public Relations
Electives: (6 Hours)*
COM 5601 Organizational Communication
COM 5602 Organizational Analysis and Training
COM 5603 Interpersonal Communication
COM 5604 Intercultural Communication
COM 5699 Special Topics in Communication

Any graduate course in another program with the permission of the director of the other program and permission of the graduate student’s program of study committee.

*Any additional course in the Strategic Communication program that does not fulfill a requirement.