Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science in Professional Communication, BA/MSPC

Overview

The Master of Science in Professional Communications (MSPC) is offered by the School of Professional Studies (SPS) at Clark University. The MSPC curriculum is designed to enhance communication skills and managerial techniques through courses that integrate theoretical models with practical application methods. This professional degree provides the essential skills in four main tracks: Marketing Communication, New Media Technologies, Communication Management and Human Resources. Students may further specialize in such areas as: project management, communication design, ecommerce/ebusiness, social media marketing, conflict management, and intercultural management in organizational operations.

Departmental eligibility requirements

The MSPC is open to students from any Clark undergraduate major. Students apply for the program through the Clark Graduate Admissions website. Students are required to complete an intake interview with the MSPC Accelerated Degree Program advisor as a formal part of the admissions process. This interview is intended to assist prospective students in assessing the appropriateness of the degree to their professional aspirations. In addition, during their tenure in the program, students with fewer than three years work experience will be strongly encouraged to complete a for-credit, one semester internship, including a required internship seminar.

Program of Study

The MSPC involves 12 graduate courses, including required foundation courses (7) and electives (5). The required foundation courses are Advanced Professional Communication, Communication Theory and Research, Fundamentals of Business Analysis OR Finance and Accounting for the Non-Financial Manager, Intercultural Communication, Management Information Systems and Technology, Organizational Communication OR Organizational Behavior and Leadership, and Consultancy Skills Capstone.

Applicants will have two prerequisites taken as an undergraduate, creating more electives during their fifth year. The two prerequisites for those students pursuing the accelerated MSPC degree will be offered through the Graduate School of Management and through the College of Professional Education. These prerequisite courses are:

• Management 101 - Principles of Accounting (waives MSPC 3403, creating one substitute elective)
• Management 104 - Introduction to MIS (waives MSPC 3080, creating one substitute elective)

In addition to these two prerequisites, ADP students must also take two MSPC foundation courses during their senior year. During the Fifth Year, no more than 10 of the required courses may be taken. Combined with the 2 courses taken as a senior, the program degree requirement remains 12 courses total.

Program Advisor

(Signature Required on the Accelerated Degree Program Advisor Form)

Pat Gillogly
Jonas Clark Hall Room 111
508-793-7215
pgillogly@clarku.edu

Student Profiles

• An undergraduate sociology major now works as an advertising account manager. During the fifth year she completed a for-credit internship working on a marketing plan for the Worcester Airport.
• An undergraduate communications and culture major, is now a marketing communications specialist in a global consumer packaged goods corporation in Singapore, Malaysia.
• An undergraduate communication and media major is a communication specialist in the Denver office of one of the largest and more reputable investment management firms in the U.S.

Advice for prospective students

The MSPC degree program students are a mix of recent undergraduate degree holders and working professionals. The teaching methods in the degree program are designed to be highly interactive and project-oriented supplemented by theory and current practice readings and lectures. The program works best for students who are clear about their career goals and how the degree can help them attain their professional objectives.