Academics

Program Curriculum 

MS in Mass Communication, Global Strategic Communications – Management Track provides students with a global perspective in strategic communications to help them prepare for advancement in advertising, public relations, and integrated communications careers. The management track provides knowledge and understanding for addressing global, national, and local audiences and communication issues. The program prepares graduates to be globally-minded and socially responsible communication leaders and innovators at the highest levels of corporate, government, and non-profit organizations.

Core Requirements 

Applied Research Methods in the Mass Media   COM 6318 
This course focuses on the applied use of research in developing integrated strategic communication programs and campaigns. Students learn methodologies for conducting both secondary analyses, surveys, focus groups, participant observation, case studies and experimentation. 

Ethics and Social Responsibility   PUR 6206 
Students will become familiarized with professional ethics and standards in advertising and public relations and examines the regulatory environment in which strategic communication takes place. The course also addresses communication and policy issues related to institutional ethics and corporate social responsibility.     

Global Strategic Communication Management  PUR 6607 
This course acquaints students with the professions and practice of global advertising and public relations in a multicultural world. The course introduces students to the body of knowledge in strategic communication and helps students gain theoretical expertise that will enhance their professional competence in practice. 

Mass Communication Professional Project  PUR 6956 
Students will be required to demonstrate excellence in an area of strategic communication study through the completion of a research-based project that contributes to the body of knowledge in their field. The course provides guidelines and direction to graduate students completing their Professional Projects. 

Theories of Mass Communication   PUR 6005 
Examine theories and processes of mass communication, with a focus on the use and application of communication theory in advertising and public relations practice. 

Electives 

Advanced Communication Seminar  PUR 6935 
This course examines contemporary issues in the field from a communication management perspective. 

Applied Media Communication Skill   PUR 6115 
The goal of this course is to help students develop professional-quality writing skills for communicating strategically and effectively in multiple formats and platforms. Upon the successful completion of the course, students will have a professional portfolio of writing examples. 

Communication for Change Management   PUR 5476 
Organizations are continuously grappling with the everyday challenging arena of fluctuating of global economies, sustainability demands, expanding networks and rapidly evolving technology. Though organizations acknowledge the necessity of change within their systems, the processes designed to manage change are often approached as a negative process that leads to the loss in organizational opportunities. This course is designed to provide students with the communication strategies necessary to effectively navigate through organizational change. Students will have the opportunity to review up-to-date and relevant cases, participate in organizational change role-plays, and engage in interactive discussions. 

Communication in the Digital Age   Communication  COM 6085 
This course is designed to develop and enhance students’ understanding of the foundations for digital communication, including an overview of the historical development of digital communication. 

Global Communications  COM 6435 
This course explores global markets and intercultural communications while providing advanced study, evaluation and application of cultural context, theories, stakeholders, and trends in media, advertising, and public relations.  Analysis of ethical, legal, political, and social communications issues around the globe. 

Global Reputation Management   PUR 6610 
This course introduces students to the role and value of strategic communication management in developing and sustaining an organization’s global reputation, identity and image, Students develop a final project that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of strategic communication best practices in global reputation management. 

Media Planning   ADV 6305 
This course introduces students to the business of media and immerses students in the planning, selection and evaluation of traditional, non-traditional and digital media. The course covers the fundamentals of media planning/buying/selling, numerical analysis of media efficiencies, the use of media and consumer research and key performance indicators to measure media campaign success. Students learn how to formulate media plans targeted to consumers. 

Multimedia Production and Design  PUR 6116 
The course offers introduction in the theory and practice of multimedia production including digital photography, videography, non-linear video editing and sound design. 

Social Media Metrics and Evaluation   PUR 6508   
This course introduces strategic aspects of social media analytics by highlighting metrics for assessing effectiveness of social media strategies relevant for global advertising, public relations and marketing communications. 

Strategic Facilitation  PUR 6477  
This course focuses on providing students with understanding of the theories and techniques necessary to conduct an effective facilitation. Facilitation fundamentals, research, theories, skills, as well as, current trends in facilitation are incorporated in the course. Instruction will be a combination facilitation simulations, team activities, and interactive discussions. Students will learn facilitation skills and enhance communication skills to successfully conduct focus groups, strategic planning, panel discussions, meetings, online collaborations and round table discussions. 

Strategic Storytelling and Digital Content Creation  PUR 6117 
This course offers a view of storytelling paradigms and provides the opportunity to apply digital storytelling for strategic purposes using interactive multimedia tools.