UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Communications professionals seeking to advance in their fields can now earn a master’s degree in strategic communications online from Penn State.
Applications are being accepted for a new 30-credit master of professional studies in strategic communications degree being offered exclusively online by the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications through Penn State World Campus. Courses will begin in fall 2018.
The degree teaches students to manage “the whole communications system for any brand, corporation, government agency, media outlet or educational or nonprofit organization,” said Frank Dardis, lead faculty member for the program.
Dardis said specialized knowledge in messaging and managing communications is more important than ever because of the rapidly expanding array of communication channels.
“People have many more avenues of information in the world at their disposal,” he said. “It’s much harder to harness and manage that and to know how to communicate which ways to which people.”
Strategic communications jobs are expected to grow at a faster than average rate of 13 percent over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Professionals with a master’s degree earn salaries as much as 50 percent higher than their colleagues, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
The master’s program includes courses in strategic communications theory and implementation, digital media analytics, multimedia content development and delivery, ethics and decision-making and social media communications.
“Our program prepares students to understand the modern information environment and to excel in managerial and upper-level roles within the ever-evolving strategic communications industry,” Dardis said.
The College of Communications also offers a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications online through World Campus.
Visit the Penn State World Campus website for more information about the new master’s degree.