Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (M.A

Mr. Bradley Lambert

Associate Professor of Communication Director of the Strategic Communication Graduate Program 336.841.9332 blambert@highpoint.edu

The Master's Degree in Strategic Communication at High Point University provides students with the foundation to create, implement, and evaluate communication campaigns, programs, and training seminars. In addition to coursework in areas such as health communication, public relations, and political communication, students graduate with masterylevel 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.

Admission into the Program

Admission Terms

All application materials must be received or postmarked by the following deadlines. Applications receive primary consideration when completed by the priority deadline of March 15th . Applicants who do not meet the priority deadline, but still wish to be considered for fall admission may submit applications by the final deadline of June 15th . The deadline for spring 2021 is November 15th and the deadline for summer 2021 is March 31st .

Application Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree. An admission decision takes into consideration the applicant’s undergraduate/graduate GPA, completed course work, professional work experience, personal and professional goals for the degree, and the information provided by references. Required Materials Include:

• online application with a nonrefundable $50 application fee; • official transcript from all colleges attended (including High Point University) showing a 3.0 cumulative

GPA*;

• resume; • personal statement that addresses the applicant’s interest in the program, biggest academic challenge, and plan to manage the time commitment of graduate school (3-5 pages); • three professional or academic letters of reference;

*If you have attended High Point University you do not need to include your HPU transcript with your application. The Office of Graduate Admissions will request that transcript for you once application is submitted.

Exceptions to any admission requirement may be considered under special circumstances.

Admission Enrollment Classification

Admission enrollment classification refers to the total number of students that can matriculate into a program in any given academic term. The admission enrollment classification for the M.A. program in Strategic Communication is unrestricted. This means that the program can enroll as many students as can be accommodated by available resources. A program’s admission enrollment classification has implications for the timing and extent of tuition refunds. For additional information please see the Refunds section of this Bulletin.

Transfer of Credit

Candidates may request up to 6 credits towards the M.A. degree in Strategic Communication. This transfer is not automatic and must be approved by the program coordinator following a review of candidates’ official transcripts or other appropriate documentation of prior academic work. All other degree requirements remain in effect. For more information about transfer of credit, contact Mr. Brad Lambert.

Tuition and Fees

Payment of tuition and fees is due at the beginning of each term of enrollment. Tuition and fees are in effect from June 1st, 2020 through May 31st, 2021.

Tuition

Tuition and Fees Cost

$1,188 per credit

Technology Fee, Parking Permit*, Graduate Student Association $778 per year*

Graduation Fee $100**

*For first permit only. Replacement parking permits incur additional costs. **Charged to graduating students only.

Program of Study

Students in the Strategic Communication Master’s Degree program take core courses in strategic communication, research methods, and communications technology. Electives cover a variety of specializations within the larger field of strategic communication. Students will either complete a year-long thesis project or a comprehensive exam project (this option is only open to students who are 5 or more years removed from the conferral of their undergraduate degree).

M.A. in Strategic Communication (35 credits)

Core Courses (10 credits)

COM 5000. Contemporary Strategic Communication (3) COM 5002. Persuasion and Media Effects (3) COM 5005. Practicum in Strategic Communication (1) COM 5100. Research Methods (3)

Methods Courses (3 credits)

Choose one course from the following: COM 5120. Quantitative Methods and Analysis (3) COM 5130. Mixed Methods and Analysis (3) COM 5140. Public Opinion and Polling (3)

Campaigns Courses (3 credits) Choose one course from the following: COM 5330. Health Communication Campaigns (3) COM 5430. Public Relations Campaigns (3) COM 5500. Contemporary Political Campaigns (3) Other campaign-focused courses offered as special topics (COM 5250, COM 5350, COM 5450, COM 5550) (3) Technology Courses (6 credits) Choose two courses from the following: COM 5200. Message Design and Production (3) COM 5210. Video and Audio Production (3) COM 5250. Topics in Technology for Strategic Communi- cation (1-3)

Elective Courses (9 credits)

To satisfy their elective requirements, students will work with the program director to select courses related to the student’s research interests and professional goals. Choose three courses from the following: COM 5300. Health Communication Research and Strategies (3) COM 5350. Topics in Health Communication (3) COM 5400. Public Relations Research and Strategies (3) COM 5410. International and Intercultural Public Relations (3) COM 5420. Crisis Communication (3) COM 5450. Topics in Public Relations (3) COM 5510. Politics and the Media (3) COM 5550. Topics in Political Communication (3) COM 5600. Independent Research (1-3 credits) COM 5604. Intercultural Communication (3) COM 5699. Special Topics in Communication (1-3 credits)

Any other 5000- or 6000-level Strategic Communication courses not already used to satisfy a program requirement. Any 5000- or 6000-level courses taught outside the School of Communication (with approval of appropriate program directors)

Culminating Project (4 credits) COM 5900, 5910, 5920, and 5930. Master's Thesis Project (4)

or

COM 5990. Comprehensive Exam (1) and one additional strategic communication elective (3)*

*This option is only available to students who are 5 or more years removed from the conferral of their undergraduate degree.