Health and Strategic Communication is the study and use of communication strategies and messages to inform and influence individual, institutional, community and public audiences about important health-related issues. Our mission is to help improve policy and decision-making through evidence-based research, analysis and application. This program examines health and strategic communication from theoretical and practical perspectives grounded in interpersonal, family, organizational, media, and health behavior theories and related evidence-based messages for decision-making.
Admission deadlines
Early decision application reviews will begin January 15 with a final application deadline of April 15. Applications will be reviewed until seats are filled. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. Because the number of students admitted is limited, meeting the following minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Admission to the program
Admission to the program may be achieved by the completion of the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts must be submitted from all degree-granting (bachelor’s or master’s degrees) colleges and universities attended. An official transcript submitted in a sealed envelope which you have received from your college or university is acceptable.
- 3.000 is the minimum recommended undergraduate cumulative grade point average.
- Two letters of recommendation are required, including one which must be from an academic source who describes your professional and academic abilities.
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. The minimum suggested scores are listed as previous version test scores and new version comparative test scores, respectively: Verbal: 500/153; Quantitative: 550/146; Analytical Writing: 4.0/4.0.
- Submit a 500-word essay addressing the communication area in which the applicant is interested.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Health and Strategic Communication degree
The core courses educate students in human communication theory and methodology as related to applied contexts, whereas advanced specialized content and elective courses provide opportunities for application by putting research into practice.
Students pursuing the Master of Science in Health and Strategic Communication degree are held to the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures . In addition these specific degree standards apply:
- Complete 30 credits as listed below.
- Minimum grade “C+” or above required in all coursework.
- Maintain 3.000 GPA in the degree.
- Complete the capstone course HCOM 598 .
The following courses make up the Master of Science in Health and Strategic Communication curriculum:
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