English BA / Strategic & Digital Communication MS

Major: English and Strategic & Digital Communications
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 225.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five Years); Three Co-ops (Five years)
 

About the Program

The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most sought-after skills by prospective employers industry wide. Drexel University is committed to building this strong foundation through the accelerated degree option, which enables academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and master’s degree—graduating sooner than they would in traditional programs. While enrolled in the accelerated program, students can still enjoy the benefits of co-op, study abroad and other programs characteristic for the Drexel experience. Graduates of the accelerated degree enter the workforce one year sooner with the benefits of both a bachelor's degree in English and a master’s degree in Strategic and Digital Communication, using the year saved to gain full-time experience and earn a salary in the field.

The BA in English focuses on three areas:

• A rich academic core grounded in disciplinary expertise that promotes literary exploration, sophisticated textual literacy, excellent writing, and other transferable skills;
• Applied learning opportunities using skills in research, interpretation, analysis, and writing to solve real-world problems;
• Opportunities for civic engagement, connecting with community partners to promote social justice and the common good.

Drexel’s Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication requires 45.0 credits, and prepares students for careers in a wide range of professional activities relating to communication in both media environments and communication contexts that are characterized by advanced digitization. 

With a robust core curriculum consisting of seven courses (21.0 credits), the program provides a strong foundation in theoretical approaches to communication, ethics, and media/communication policy. This theoretical basis is designed to ensure that, as the field changes, students will continue to have an intellectual framework for evaluating and implementing new technology and changing media environments. Furthermore, the program trains students in leadership skills that will help them to lead teams to be innovative communication professionals in digitized media environments and different organizational communication contexts.

The program emphasizes flexibility, encouraging each student, in consultation with a faculty advisor, to craft an individual course of study tailored to the student’s individual interests and career goals. Throughout the curriculum, students use four Communication electives (12.0 credits) to increase communication skills or to further develop areas of specialization. An additional four free elective courses (12.0 credits) can be taken in Communication or in other departments across the university, allowing students to continue to tailor their plan of study. 

In order to gain valuable practical experience outside the classroom, students are expected to complete the equivalent of a six-month, full-time, non-credit bearing internship. To complete the internship component, students can either enroll in Drexel’s undergraduate coop program, or they can work in one or several full-time or part-time communication positions of their choosing. Students entering the program already possessing significant communication-related experience and thereby meeting the internship requirement can apply for an internship waiver. The program director works with each student on an individual basis to see what option best meets their needs. 

The program specializes in two areas:

• Strategic Communication (public relations)
• Digital and Social Media Communication

Strategic Communication

Strategic Communication has much to offer for those looking to work in public relations as well as for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Students typically choose from courses such as PR Writing and Planning courses, Crisis Communication, Media Relations, Nonprofit Communication, and others.

Digital Communication

With Communication being an area characterized by ongoing digitization, the program offers courses such as Strategic Social Media Communication, Digital Publishing, Digital Media Environments, Social Media Concepts That Matter, and others.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication webpage.

Contact Julia May, Director of the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication program, at julia.may@drexel.edu for more information.

Admission Requirements

Both incoming freshmen and current ENGL students are eligible to apply for this program. Students who are already matriculated may apply after completing a minimum of 90.0 credits but no more than 120.0 credits. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and maintain this GPA throughout the program.

In addition to formally applying, already matriculated applicants must provide:

• The name of two faculty references who can speak to the applicant’s academic qualifications and preparedness for graduate studies.
• A writing sample consisting of a written response to a series of questions about the applicant's interest in the program.
• A brief 2-3-minute video in which the applicant introduces himself/herself to the admissions committee and discusses their career goals.

Applicants who already received preliminary acceptance in the accelerated degree program as freshmen should finish the application process after completing a minimum of 90.0 undergraduate credits but no more than 120.0 credits with a GPA of 3.0. Students accepted as incoming freshmen need to submit:

• The name of one faculty reference who can speak to the applicant's academic qualifications and preparedness for graduate studies. The admissions committee might request the name of a second reference as needed. 
• A writing sample consisting of a written response to a series of questions about the applicant's interest in the program.

Applications are due by the end of week 6 for a program start in the following quarter. Example: If you intend to start the program in the Winter quarter, your application is due by the end of week 6 in the Fall quarter. Please reach out to the program director, Dr. Julia May, as soon as you decide to apply so we can assist you throughout the application process.  

Additional Information

For more information, contact Julia May, Director of the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication program, at julia.may@drexel.edu.

Degree Requirements

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Co-op cycles may vary.  Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

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See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

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Select two consecutive courses at the 102-499 level within the same subject code: ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GER, JAPN, KOR, SPAN.

Language courses may count toward the College Core Curriculum requirements in Cultivating Global Competence, in which case students may take a corresponding number of free electives.

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1.0 credit course taken three times for a total of 3.0 credits.

††

Students can select up to 12.0 credits of graduate-level electives (500-799) in he following subject areas: AADM, AAML, AACT, BUSN, CCM, CHP, COM, CRTV, CW, DIGM, ECON, EDAM, EDHE, EDLT, EDUC, ENTP, ENVP, ENVS, EOH, HMP, HRM, LING, MGMT, MKTG, MUSL, NPM, ORGB, PBHL, PLCY, PROJ, PRST, RMER, SCRP, SCTS, SMT, TVMN. Other graduate courses outside these areas might be taken pending approval from the graduate advisor or program director.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

Students should complete undergraduate requirements in four years then convert to graduate status in their final year.

A full-time, academically qualified undergraduate student may take up to 9.0 quarter credits of graduate coursework with departmental permission while in an undergraduate degree program. This coursework may be counted to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements with departmental permission.

Students admitted to an accelerated degree program may take up to a total of 15.0 quarter credits of graduate coursework with departmental permission while in an undergraduate degree program. This graduate coursework must be counted to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements with departmental permission.

This graduate coursework may be used as Shared Credits toward an advanced degree. The course credits for each graduate course taken as an undergraduate student shall only be applied to one graduate degree with departmental permission.

Matriculated students should consult Drexel Central about maintaining Federal/State financial aid eligibility regarding graduate credits taken while in an undergraduate degree program.

Literary Studies Concentration

4 year, 1 co-op

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COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Writing Concentration

4 year, 1 co-op

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COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.