Communication BA / Strategic & Digital Communication MS

Major: Communication and Strategic & Digital Communication
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (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)
BA Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 09.0199; 09.0900; 09.000
BA Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-2011
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 09.0909
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-2011

About the Program

The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most sought-after skills by prospective employers across many industries. Drexel University is committed to building this strong foundation through the Accelerated Communication degree, 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 participate in co-op, study abroad and other programs characteristic of the Drexel experience. Graduates of the accelerated degree enter the workforce one year sooner with the benefits of 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 Communication program requires 180.0 UG credits and is committed to helping students become broadly educated and professionally competent communicators. Students are exposed to a variety of media and are guided in the development of their interpretive and expressive skills. Students may complete the BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations, Journalism, or Communication and Media Studies. Independent of their chosen concentration, all BA in Communication majors take a common core of courses that emphasize communication theory and methods, as well as a modern language.

Students in the Public Relations concentration take courses and pursue careers in public relations, event planning, media relations, social media, and corporate communication. Journalism students take courses and pursue careers as reporters, copyeditors, editors, and media specialists. Students in the Communication and Media Studies concentration have the flexibility of crafting their path through the major to design an academically rigorous, inclusive program of study around expanding media’s potential to positively transform the self and society.

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. 

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 additional information.

Admission Requirements

Both incoming freshmen and current Communication majors 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 accelerated 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 Dr. Julia May, Director of the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication program, at julia.may@drexel.edu.

Degree Requirements

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Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of free elective instead of COOP 001.

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 assigned 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.

***

Students can select up to 12.0 credits of graduate-level electives (500-799) in the following subject areas (AADM, AAML, ACCT, BUSN, CCM, CHP, COM, CRTV, CW, DIGM, ECON, EDAM, EDHE, EDLT, EDUC, ENTP, ENVP, ENVS, EOH, HMP, HRM, LING, MGMT, 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

4+1, 1 co-op (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year.

*

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 assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

5+0, 3 co-op, Co-terminal (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students take graduate courses in the third, fourth, and fifth years, while finishing their undergraduate requirements. They receive both BA and MS at the end of the fifth year.

*

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 assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Communication Faculty

Emeritus Faculty