Graduate School Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (M.A.)

The Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication at High Point University provides students the foundation to create, implement, and evaluate communication campaigns, programs, and training seminars. In addition to coursework in either Health Communication or Public Relations, students graduate with mastery level knowledge in three areas: the theories that explain why and how messages work; the technical and production skills to create campaign materials; and the research skills to evaluate the success of the campaign.

The Strategic Communication program coordinator is Dr. Virginia McDermott. Dr. McDermott can be reached at ginny@highpoint.edu or 336.841.9384; find out more about Dr. McDermott and the Strategic Communication Graduate Faculty here. For more information, check out the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication website or download an informational brochure today!

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.

 

Admission Terms: Fall (August), Spring (January) or Summer (June)

Deadline for Application Materials: Admission All application materials must be received or postmarked by the following deadlines: March 31, 2013 for Summer 2013, March 15, 2013 for priority admissions for Fall 2013 and June 15, 2013 as a secondary deadline for Fall 2013 and November 15, 2013 for Spring 2014 .

Required materials include:

  • online application with a nonrefundable $50 application fee;
  • an official transcript from all colleges attended (including High Point University);
  • professional resume;
  • personal statement that addresses the applicant’s interest in the program, experience in strategic communication, and career goals (3-5 pages); and
  • three professional letters of reference each attached to a completed Graduate School reference report form.

Degree: Master of Arts
Prerequisite Work: None
Comprehensive Examinations: None
Class Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Strategic Communication Program (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.

 

Core Courses:
COM 5000 Strategic Communication Theories, Practices and Ethics
COM 5002 Persuasion and Media Effects
COM 5005 Practicum in Strategic Communication
COM 5100 Research Methods
COM 5900 Strategic Communication Project
Methods: Choose One
COM 5110 Qualitative Methods and Analysis
COM 5120 Quantitative Methods and Analysis
COM 5130 Mixed Methods and Analysis
Technology: Choose Two
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 (6 hours):
Choose two from one concentration area:
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:*
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.