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Strategic Communications Master's Degree

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Program Overview

Establishing clear communications between critical stakeholders is essential to the success of any business, nonprofit, or public agency. As a result, strategic communication professionals often find themselves at the highest levels of industry, health care, government, and other sectors, advising leaders during times of crisis, new product launches, or sweeping public policies that impact individuals around the world.

The evolving and expanding global community, which is catalyzed by technological innovation in communication, creates great leadership challenges. There has never been a greater need for professionals who can use careful planning and new technology to foster the flow of ideas in an ethically and socially responsible manner.

The Master of Arts in Strategic Communications program at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., is designed to develop these skills and deliver immediate career growth for both those already in the field and recent college graduates.

people who have earned an online communications masters at a conference table looking at marketing materials

What can you do with a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications?

Professionals with a master’s degree in Strategic Communications are positioned for high-impact leadership roles, including:

  • Chief Communications Officers for multinational corporations
  • Public Information Officers for major government agencies
  • Communications Directors supporting elected officials
  • Independent Consultants leading their own agencies in healthcare, public policy, and business

Beyond these leadership pathways, marketing professionals, writers, entrepreneurs, nonprofit advocates, and leaders across all industries rely on strategic communications skills to drive organizational success and advance their careers.

two people in suits shaking hands, an example of what you will do with a masters of communication

What makes the King’s Strategic Communications Program Different?

  • Complete the program in as little as 21 months
  • Our 30-credit program is offered completely online
  • Flexible scheduling is available
  • Competitive tuition at $775 per credit
  • A 10% tuition discount is available for King’s alumni
  • No GRE required

We want our graduates to become leaders and innovators. We’ll show you how to closely align strategy and tactics with meaningful goals that deliver tangible results for businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. You’ll learn more about the latest trends, emerging technologies, and best practices that maximize the marketable value you bring to future employers and business opportunities.

We also offer an accelerated 4+1 bachelor’s to master’s track for incoming undergraduate communications students, who can earn an advanced degree with just 12 additional months of study.

King’s also offers three certificate programs which can later segway into earning a Strategic Communications master’s degree.

student sitting in a lounge area using a laptop

Certificate Options

These can either serve as valuable credentials for those seeking employment or fulfill professional development requirements for those already employed as communications professionals.

Leadership & Media Literacy Certificate

Participants of the Graduate Certificate in Leadership & Media Literacy will explore the diverse roles of communication, uncovering how media shapes and is shaped by cultural landscapes worldwide. Participants will develop critical media literacy skills for informed contextual understanding, analyzing the relationship between media and culture through a deliberate framework. Students will also develop executive-level communication, equipping them to lead through strategic influence in a dynamic media landscape. 

Courses

  • COMM 501 – Survey of Strategic Communications (3 credits)
  • COMM 502 – Executive Communications (3 credits)

6 credits total

Digital Media Innovation & Intercultural Communication Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Digital Media Innovation & Intercultural Communication empowers students to leverage digital media innovation for impactful communication, as students craft messages for diverse audiences. Students will investigate emerging technology, such as artificial intelligence, social media, and mobile platforms, exploring how media drives connection and collaboration across cultures. They will navigate the complexities of communicating across boundaries and related social and cultural impact, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, students will investigate the ethical and legal considerations for leaders and communication practitioners in the digital realm.  

Courses

  • COMM 503 – Media Relations in the Digital Ecosystem (3 credits)
  • COMM 505 – Global Perspectives in Communications (3 credits)
  • COMM 506 – Emerging Media (3 credits)

9 credits total

Crisis Communication & Change Management Certificate

Students in the Graduate Crisis Communication & Change Management Certificate program explore methods for leaders to drive organizational change and manage crises. Students will utilize change processes, analyze leadership and communication functions, explore methods for building effective teams, and cultivate their own leadership philosophy. Participants will also investigate how leaders effectively manage and communicate during crisis, identifying potential crises, analyzing their ethical implications, and exploring ways to anticipate, plan, manage, and communicate during organizational crises. 

Courses

  • COMM 504 – Strategic Communications (3 credits)
  • COMM 507 – Crisis Communications (3 credits)

6 credits total

Admissions & Curriculum

Application Requirements

Given the interdisciplinary approach of this field, applicants from any academic background are encouraged to apply to the program. While the suggested undergraduate GPA is 3.0, work experience is also considered in our admission process.

Application Checklist

  • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants without prior college coursework must instead submit an official high school or GED equivalent in place of college transcripts.
  • One letter of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or professional colleagues. A second letter may be requested if additional information is needed to complete the application review.
  • A personal statement describing your interest and goals related to the degree.

Application Requirements for Certificate Programs

Students with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or a foreign equivalent are encouraged to apply. Individuals without prior college coursework may also be considered for admission if they demonstrate relevant professional work experience.*

Application Checklist

  • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants without prior college coursework must instead submit an official high school or GED equivalent in place of college transcripts.

*For those applicants that have below a 3.0 cumulative GPA, or do not have prior college coursework, relevant work experience will be considered in the review process. Current undergraduate students with junior or senior standing may also be considered for enrollment. To be eligible and earn credit for the course, they must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

 

Curriculum

Our program curriculum is designed to help you become:

  • An effective communicator—You’ll learn how to influence hearts and minds as you engage critical stakeholders both externally and within your organization.
  • Information literate—You’ll be able to create, share, and evaluate information in various online, social, and traditional media formats.
  • Ethically and socially responsible—As a reflective practitioner you’ll develop tools that enable and support ethical behavior while you strive for solutions to problems that are informed by global and social perspectives.
  • A successful leader—You’ll learn how to lead in a respectful, accountable, and goal-focused way so you can inspire and help teams reach their goals.

Detailed curriculum information and curriculum options are available on our degree requirements page and our course descriptions page respectively.

Contact Us

Office of Graduate Admission
(570) 208-8519