Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health and Strategic Communication, M.S.


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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 15th. Applications received after January 15th 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,
    • Verbal: 153
    • Quantitative: 146
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
  • 500-word statement of intent addressing the communication area in which the applicant is interested.
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae.

Admitted students must provide evidence of satisfactory coursework in the following two areas:

  • Research Methodology
  • Statistics

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:

specialized content courses (15 credits)


A minimum of 15 additional elective credits. All elective credits must be taught at the graduate level and approved by the Graduate Director.

total credits 30


With approval of the graduate director, students may take up to six credits of specialized content in courses outside the School of Communication.

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