Communication, MSC

Master of Science in Communication Overview

The Master of Science in Communication curriculum is designed to enhance communication skills and managerial techniques through courses designed specifically for mid-level communication professionals and recent bachelor degree graduates. Classes are small, fostering discussion and interactivity.

This professional degree is structured to provide skills essential in marketing, public relations, digital media and strategic communications management. While initially designed to accommodate adult working students, with the increased demand for graduate professional degrees today, over half of our current students are attending our graduate programs as full-time students. International students attend our Master of Science Communication degree program from countries around the world.

Our focus on experiential learning integrates communication, writing, marketing and public relations.  With an emphasis on practical application, students learn the leadership and communication skills essential for an immediate competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The fundamental learning themes in our Master of Science in Communication degree program center around strategy and planning, consumer behavior and insights, contents marketing, ethics and technological tools of the trade.  The Master of Science in Communications program provides students with the concepts and frameworks to leverage these highly sought after skills into a distinct advantage in the workplace. 

The School of Professional Studies offers Prior Learning Credit for up to two graduate level courses.  The Prior Learning Credit is awarded for both demonstrated learning and experience.  The Prior Learning Credit is offered to adult learners with three (3) or more years of work experience. Burden of proof for Prior Learning Credit is the responsibility of the student.  The Prior Learning Credit can be applied to a core or elective degree requirement.  Admitted SPS Grad Students eligible for Prior Learning Credit must work with their academic advisor from evaluation through final approval.  There is a minimum fee associated with each Prior Learning Credit.

Course of Study

The Master of Science in Communication requires five foundation courses and five electives. Students with less than three years’ professional work experience are strongly encouraged to take MSPC 3940 - Internship , as one of their electives.

Required Core Courses:

• MSPC 3211 - Leading Responsibly
• MSPC 3212 - Marketing and Communication Strategies
• MSPC 3213 - Strategic Marketing Tools and Applications
• MSPC 3313 - Multi Channel Communications
• MSPC 3999 - Capstone Practicum

Electives

We offer many electives in the MSC program focused on the communication, marketing and public relations skills that are in high demand in the marketplace (Any MPA elective can be substituted for an MSC elective).

List of Concentrations

Students need to work with the MSC Program Director when choosing a concentration (concentrations are optional).  Graduate students are permitted to select courses offered in all School of Professional Studies graduate degree programs.  Students may also petition to take gradualte courses offered by other departements at Clark University.  Such petitions are decided on a case-by-case basis, and students should consult with the MSC Program Director regarding all such requests.

**Special Topic and other relative courses must be approved by your MSC academic advisor to fulfill concentration requirements.

Learning Outcomes

The Master of Science in Communication offers students the opportunity to develop proficiency in written, oral, visual, and new media communication, learning to manage teams and to work in groups. A graduate of this program acquires the skills not just to promote an organization’s messages, ideas, and services, but also to advance to a leadership position and transform an organization.  Expertise in communication is essential to build a successful career in marketing, human resources, public relations, advertising, consulting, or any other chosen field. As students move through the curriculum, they are introduced to leadership styles, take on leadership roles in project development, and develop strategies for dealing with conflict. Through a combination of group and individual projects, students are encouraged to develop expertise in their area of interest.  This program offers students the opportunity to develop operational competencies in 5 foundations.

1. Organizational Systems:  MSPC 3313 - Multi Channel Communications  
2. Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility:  MSPC 3211 - Leading Responsibly  
3. Workplace Dynamics, Communication, and Career Management -  MSPC 3213 - Strategic Marketing Tools and Applications   
4. Applied Research -  MSPC 3900 - Research and Marketing Analytics  
5. Theoretical Grounding -  MSPC 3212 - Marketing and Communication Strategies  

More detailed information about the Core Competencies and Learning Outcomes can be found on the MSC Webpage.

Courses

• MSPC 3010 - Visual Communication Design
• MSPC 3030 - Freelance Writing and Strategy
• MSPC 3050 - Social Media and Marketing Communication
• MSPC 3090 - Public Relations
• MSPC 3100 - Marketing Communication
• MSPC 3114 - Crisis Communication
• MSPC 3130 - Principles of Marketing
• MSPC 3216 - Journalism in an Age of Social Media
• MSPC 3217 - PR in the Digital Age
• MSPC 3218 - Brand Journalism
• MSPC 3219 - Communicating Sustainability
• MSPC 3220 - Communication Practicum
• MSPC 3221 - Communication and Social Media in a Rapidly Changing World
• MSPC 3222 - Digital Citizenship
• MSPC 3223 - Ethics in the Digital World
• MSPC 3224 - Socio-Digital Engineering
• MSPC 3225 - The Information Society
• MSPC 3226 - The Art of Stakeholder Management
• MSPC 3280 - Global Talent Development
• MSPC 3300 - Professional Communication Seminar
• MSPC 3440 - Special Topics: Communication
• MSPC 3450 - Global Marketing and Advertising
• MSPC 3460 - Emotional Intelligence in Workplace Communication
• MSPC 3620 - Cultural Diversity And Intercultural Communication
• MSPC 3750 - Advertising Theory and Practice
• MSPC 3760 - Contemporary Issues in Communication
• MSPC 3770 - Political Communication
• MSPC 3800 - Global Communication Strategy
• MSPC 3900 - Research and Marketing Analytics
• MSPC 3940 - Internship