From new classes to new jobs; new kids to new states, MSU StratCom has been honored to be on the professional and personal journeys of so many students and alumni since 2017. We celebrate five years of MSU StratCom and we look ahead to many more years of serving you -- our students.
The Strategic Communication Online Master’s Program is a professional degree built to empower communicators to unleash your individual potential wherever you are. The world of communications is not slowing down and neither should your career. Continue your path to becoming a leader in strategic and digital communications with our award-winning master's program.
Average raise in US dollars students and graduates report earning
Alumni
States represented
About the Program
Digital communications in all of its forms demands to be integrated strategically in advertising, public relations and media. With a master's degree in Strategic Communication from MSU, graduates should be prepared to:
Become a leader in driving the technology behind marketing.
Develop a digital marketing strategy.
Apply the latest digital innovations such as mobile, social media, location based services and big data to marketing campaigns.
Integrate marketing, advertising, sales and logistics across physical and digital channels.
Collect, analyze and interpret digital marketing data to inform decision-making.
According to a recent Forbes article, digital communication is one of the in-demand skills employers are looking for this year. The MSU StratCom program helps meet this skill and more marketplace demands with courses in areas of organizational communication for leadership, media analytics and digital media.
Get Program Fast Facts Delivered to Your Inbox
100-percent online
Minimum of three years of work experience
Minimum of 3.0 undergraduate GPA
No GRE required
One-, two- or three- year tracks
Interactive weekly lessons
Three areas of specialization
Cohorts begin fall, spring and summer
Peer, faculty and staff support
Grab this one-page PDF with overviews of certificate tracks and the entire program. It's a great resource you can use to start to map out your graduate education journey. Enter your info below and check your inbox.
Our Students
The MSU StratCom program can help you become the communications leader employers are looking for. Learn more about the program from past and current students.
"The role of communications professionals couldn’t be more critical than today. StratCom’s curriculum is relevant, providing the best tools, practices and thinking, and helped me confidently serve my organization and the communities we support during this historic year." - Robyn Rosenthal, M.A. 2021, Communications Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
“It’s a great feeling to know you’re learning relevant knowledge that you can immediately execute in your career every day. The ability to enlist social media listening tools, new storytelling techniques and strategic messaging methods have made me stronger in my profession and a valuable asset to my clients and company." - Christen Rochon, M.A. 2020, Integrated Account Manager, EW Scripps Company
“It’s a living community, a family of people with whom you feel comfortable sharing your fears and struggles, your starts and finishes, your adventures and successes. But it has also been a wellspring of inspiration and courage to try new things in the service of others..."
- Krishnan M. Anantharaman, M.A. 2020, Deputy Editor, PolitiFact
While Ruth Castro pursued her MSU StratCom degree, she was serving her country as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Army AND was raising three kids. Obstacles arose, but none of them stopped Ruth from earning her degree on May 3, 2019.
Join Ruth and other working professionals looking to elevate their careers. Register for the next 30-minute Informational webinar and start your journey with us.
Saleem Alhabash is an Associate Professor of Public Relations and Social Media at the Department of Advertising + Public Relations, studying the persuasive effects of social media.
As Director of the M.A. Strategic Communications program, Jason collaborates with an amazing team across departments to help build an integrated digital and social media campaigns to attract domestic and international students, and engage alumni and industry alliances to generate interest and enrollment in the program. He will also be working with faculty on course development and design as well as teach in the program.
Associate Chairperson, Director of Graduate Studies, and Associate Professor - Department of Media and Information; Associate Professor -Department of Advertising and Public Relations
Department
Dr. Constantinos K. Coursaris is an Associate Chairperson, Director of Graduate Studies, and Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Information, as well as Associate Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. He is also Professor by Courtesy, Usability / Accessibility Research & Consulting in MSU Outreach and Engagement.
Prabu David is dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. His research is on multitasking and mobile media. You can follow him on Twitter @prabudavid for updates on the college.
Assistant Professor, Director of Journalism Ph.D Studies
Department
Journalism
Employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, Dr. Mourão focuses on how journalists cover political events in a changing media ecosystem. Her projects have focused on elections and protests, both in the United States and in Brazil. At MSU, she teaches courses on social media, media literacy, media theory, and multimedia reporting.
Dr. Wietske van Osch received her Ph.D. in Economics (Information Systems) at the University of Amsterdam. Her doctoral dissertation focused on “Generative Collectives” and in particular the structural, cognitive and technological dimensions of online communities that result in enhanced innovation and won the First Runner Up award for the ACM SIGMIS / AIS Best Doctoral Dissertation Award 2012.
Valeta evangelizes for the department by disseminating information about faculty projects, grants, and classes. She provides website, graphical, and branding support for departmental events, the Meaningful Play conference, minors (such as Serious Games and Information Technology) and Media Sandbox-related projects.
Dr. Wilkerson joined the Michigan State faculty in 2014. She currently teaches ADV 225 (Writing for Public Relations) and ADV 330 (Advertising Management) online for the Department of Advertising + Public Relations. She also teaches CAS 842 (Communication Ethics) for the Strategic Communication Program at MSU.
Julie Beaty, M.B.A., is an instructor in the Department of Advertising + Public Relations at Michigan State University. She has also taught at Oakland Community College and Robert Morris University. he has 30+ years of experience in the marketing, advertising and education industries.
