Curriculum

This emphasis area offers students preparation for careers in employee communication, special events and training, and development in corporate and non-profit organizations and government agencies.

38 credits total, with 12 credits in core courses, 12 credits in required gateway courses* from a specified emphasis area, and at least 14 other credits of directed electives.

* Gateway courses (all are 4 credits)

• COMM 356 (Professional Communication)
• COMM 453 (Organizational Communication)
• COMM 410 (Public Opinion) [OR]
  • COMM 411 (Public Opinion Research) [OR]
  • COMM 434 (Campaign Development Methods) [OR]
  • COMM 439 (Social Media Research & Big Data)

Directed Electives (14 credits):

Students must take at least 3 additional courses from the following list:

Designed for students interested in careers in promotions and public relations, this emphasis provides students with both the theoretical knowledge and the practical experience that is necessary to implement strategic communication campaigns and initiatives for organizations in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

38 credits total, with 12 credits in core courses, 8 credits in required gateway courses* from a specified emphasis area, and at least 18 other credits of directed electives.

* Gateway courses

• COMM 334 (Public Relations Strategies and Techniques)
• COMM 410 (Public Opinion) [OR]
  • COMM 411 (Public Opinion Research) [OR]
  • COMM 434 (Campaign Development Methods) [OR]
  • COMM 439 (Social Media Research & Big Data)

Directed Electives (18 credits):

Students must take at least 4 additional courses from the above or following list (all are 4 credits unless noted):

Eligible students can earn their B.A. in Strategic Communication and their M.S. in Strategic Communication in as few as 5 years of full-time study with the Accelerate Central program.

For accepted students, two graduate courses (6 credits) will double-count for courses required to meet the 120 credit hours for graduation with a B.A. in Strategic Communication. Students may also take COMM 399 two times for a total of two credits. In addition, students may take two other graduate courses toward the MS prior to completing their B.A.; these courses will be excluded from the student’s B.A. program and transferred into the student’s M.S. program.

Up to two of the below M.S. courses may be double-counted, with some serving as substitutions for the equivalent undergraduate courses (noted in parentheses):

• COMM 450 Communication Skills for Training and Development
• COMM 454 Communication & Social Change
• COMM 501 Theories of Human Communication within an Organizational Context (COMM 453)
• COMM 503 Research Methods in Communication
• COMM 504 Campaign Monitoring and Evaluation
• COMM 505 Persuasive Communication (COMM 343)
• COMM 506 Case Studies in Public Relations (COMM 406)
• COMM 507 Campaign Planning (COMM 434)
• COMM 508 Public Relations Writing Strategies (COMM 334)
• COMM 510 Public Opinion Research (COMM 411)
• COMM 511 Social Media Research & Analytics (COMM 439)
• COMM 522 Corporate Communication (COMM 456)
• COMM 523 Advanced Crisis Communication (COMM 423)
• COMM 539 Advanced Public Relations and Social Media (COMM 339)
• COMM 543 Intercultural Communication
• COMM 562 Communication and Relationship Management (COMM 418)
• COMM 585 Special Topics
• COMM 586 Graduate Field Studies in Communication (COMM 496)

Eligibility

Students may apply for admission to Accelerate during the fall or spring of their junior or senior year and meet the requirements specified below:

1. Students must be at least junior standing.
2. At least 12 credits must have been completed at Central.
3. Have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average overall.
4. Successful completion of a STAT class (as part of General Education)
5. Submit a Statement of Interest in the program.

How to Apply

Submit Change of Major form and a Statement of Interest to the Graduate Coordinator by November 1st for the spring semester and April 1st for the fall semester. The personal Statement of Interest should include your professional goals and any specific experiences that helped prepare you for the M.S. Strategic Communication program; such as relevant employment, research or training, internships, etc.

Applications go through the proper parties for review and approval, including the Graduate Program Coordinator. Once the form has been approved by all required parties, the Registrar’s Office will change your undergraduate curriculum to note the Accelerate Central program.

Note: After acceptance, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.