Strategic Communication (MA

suitable for publication or public consumption as their key graded assignment. These papers demonstrate each student’s abilities and their collective body of skills and knowledge acquired throughout the MPA curriculum. The capstone project challenges students to clearly articulate a research question, identify best practices in the field through a literature review, and develop and execute a research protocol, in which the student: • Defines a research question that addresses an existing public or nonprofit problem. • Identifies a theoretical model through which to approach the issue. • Selects appropriate data collection methods. • Collects data. • Analyzes and interprets the data. • Develops a written report and oral presentation of the findings and recommendations.

At the conclusion of the course, students will have demonstrated effective research skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, and will have displayed the level of knowledge necessary for effectively managing a public or non-profit organization as a competent leader.

A Sample Schedule for Full-Time On Ground MPA Student (Two Year Study Plan)

First Semester (Fall)

GMPA 510 Introduction to Public Administration 3 GMPA 530 Public Personnel Administration 3 GMPA 520 Administrative Ethics 3

Second Semester (Spring)

GMPA 540 Applied Statistics for Public and Nonprofit Administration GMPA 532 Public Budgeting Systems GMPA 593 Current Issues in Global Public Administration 3 3

3

Third Semester (Fall)

GMPA 591 Global Comparative Public Administration 3 GMPA 592 Globalization and World Politics 3 GMPA 799 Research in Public Administration 3

Fourth Semester (Spring)

GMPA 533 Public Organizations and Management 3 GMPA 630 Public Policy Cycles 3 GMPA 797 Public Administration Capstone Project 3

Strategic Communication

Program Director: Jennifer R. Allen Catellier, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication prepares students for careers in various areas of communication including public relations, corporate communication, and health communication. The curriculum combines a theoretical foundation with a focus on the essential skills for communication professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in media and communication is expected to grow faster than average with about 151,500 new jobs by 2030. These jobs arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information across a variety of platforms.*

This STEM-designated program focuses on the increasing use of technology in the field of communication while also providing a foundation for media and communication analytics.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Media and Communication Occupations. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/home.htm

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

At the completion of this 30-credit program students will be able to: 1. Understand the cultural and political issues impacting the study of mediated communication in various contexts. 2. Apply communication theory and communication ethics in interpersonal, small group, team, and organizational contexts. 3. Analyze the role that media law and ethical persuasion play within the marketplace. 4. Evaluate existing research in order to examine a contemporary issue within the field of communication. 5. Critique existing professional practices and academic research to improve interaction between persons of varying religious, professional, and socio-economic backgrounds.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants interested in the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The undergraduate degree does not have to be in a communication-related field, but applicants are required to demonstrate a basic understanding and awareness of communication.

To apply: • Submit a graduate application • Submit final, official, transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended • Submit three professional letters of recommendation • A statement of the applicant’s professional and career goals (not more than 500 words). • All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate

Admissions Office no later than August 1 (for Fall admission),

November 1 (for Spring admission), or May 1 (for Summer

Admission).

The graduate assistantship deadline is April 15 for assistantships beginning in fall semester.

ASSISTANTSHIPS

Graduate Assistantships are available for full-time students. Potential responsibilities of Graduate Assistants are: • Serving as teaching or research assistants with experienced faculty members • Teaching SPCH 111:Public Speaking or other available courses • Assisting with various programmatic duties

CURRICULUM

Graduate Program Core Courses (15 credits)

GCOMM 505 Strategic Communication Research Methods GCOMM 525 Organizational Communication and Analysis GCOMM 590 Strategic Communication Ethics and Law GCOMM 610 Message Design and Media Production GCOMM 620 Social Media Management

Choose one emphasis:

Communication Management Emphasis (Take 9 credits)

GCOMM 520 Public Relations Management GCOMM 535 Persuasion in the Marketplace GCOMM 550 Crisis and Risk Communication GCOMM 615 Intercultural Communication

Health Communication Emphasis (Take 9 credits)

GCOMM 515 Health Communication GCOMM 545 Patient-Provider Communication GCOMM 550 Crisis and Risk Communication GCOMM 605 Family Communication GCOMM 615 Intercultural Communication

Capstone Courses (6 credits)

GCOMM 625 Communication Campaigns and GCOMM 635 Communication Seminar or GCOMM 640 Communication Internship

4+1 MA Strategic Communication Degree Program

The4+1 MA degree program is designed to allow outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate degree in many disciplines and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication within a five year period. Students from any major may apply and should do so in their junior year. Working with both the undergraduate advisor and the Strategic Communication Program Director, the student will customize a schedule in which they will take 6 credits of graduate courses during their senior year. Students who successfully complete these courses will continue into the MA in Strategic Communication to complete the remaining 24 credits. Applicants to the program must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Retention in the program requires that the student maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for their undergraduate studies.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GCOMM 505 Strategic Communication Research Methods

3 credits Students learn to interpret and design various theoretical studies within the field of communication, highlighting multiple theoretical perspectives that inform communication scholarship. Students will learn quantitative methods for communication research and data analysis.

GCOMM 515 Health Communication

3 credits A foundational course introducing students to communication theory and research in a variety of health communication contexts, including interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, family, and public communication.

GCOMM 520 Public Relations Management

3 credits This course examines the application of strategic management principles to the development of public relations programs. A particular emphasis is placed on public relations as a management function internally and externally between an organization and its stakeholders. Students will examine key principles in areas of public relations including media relations, employee relations, communication relations, government relations, consumer relations, and issues management.

GCOMM 525 Organizational Communication and Analysis

3 credits This course examines communication theory as it is applied in various organizational settings. Topics include organizational assimilation, decision-making, leadership, structure, and environment. The various audiences to which organizational communicators direct a message will also be examined. Analysis of organizational communication and structures is discussed.

GCOMM 535 Persuasion in the Marketplace

3 credits Examines the design, form, and strategies of persuasion in the marketplace. Also considers the construction and interpretation of persuasive messages.

GCOMM 545 Interpersonal Communication: Provider-Patient Relationships

3 credits Examines interpersonal communication between persons in various health care contexts, with specific focus on theories and research in patient-provider communication.

GCOMM 550 Crisis and Risk Communication

3 credits This course will discuss what constitutes and causes organizational crises, how to avoid crises and assess risks, what to do when a crisis hits, and how to learn from past crises and prevent future problems. Emphasis will be placed on practical application of crisis and risk communication theory.

GCOMM 590 Strategic Communication Ethics and Law

3 credits A study of the special laws of libel, First Amendment problems, free press vs. fair trial, copyright, ethical issues, and regulatory provisions that pertain to mass media. Various ethical theories are described, analyzed, and interpreted to better understand the process of communication.

GCOMM 605 Family Communication: Health and Aging

3 credits Examines family communication as it evolves across one’s lifetime. The theory and research focus provides students with tools to investigate and appreciate the complexities of family communication at different life stages, with specific focus on health communication literature.

GCOMM 610 Message Design and Media Production

3 credits This course examines the application of media production principles to the development of digital content. A particular emphasis is placed on audience analysis and scriptwriting as important efficiencies in all digital production. Students will create audio, video and graphics messages. Appropriate message distribution methods will be analyzed to determine overall communication strategies.

GCOMM 615 Intercultural Communication

3 credits Explores cultural, international and global communication as essential skills to become informed and effective professional communicators. Students research the intersection of health and environmental concerns within a global context.

GCOMM 620 Social Media Management

3 credits This course provides students with an introduction to social media as it relates to the history, theories, ethics and practice of communication. Students will explore a diverse range of social media forms including blogs, virtual communities, wikis, mobile, and video and photo sharing sites. They will become familiar with social media research and analytics programs and understand how social media can be used as part of a strategic communication campaign.

GCOMM 625 Communication Campaigns

3 credits Explores the use of communication campaigns to promote issues of public importance. This includes public relations efforts and public health topics. The course examines how communication campaigns are designed, implemented, and evaluated; and describes the role of communication theory and research throughout the campaign process.

GCOMM 635 Communication Seminar

3 credits Various topics will be explored in this course depending upon the research/teaching focus of faculty and the interest/needs of students.

GCOMM 640 Communication Internship

3 credits The communication internship provides students with practical, real-world experience in the field of communication. During an internship, students apply knowledge and skills learned in the curriculum in an environment outside the classroom. Students will maintain a journal that details their experiences at the internship and present a paper and presentation to the Graduate Program Director. Students are required to work a minimum of 150 hours to meet the credit requirements of the internship.