The M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication in the School of Communication and the B.S. in Health Sciences in the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences’ Department of Health Sciences offer an accelerated program option for undergraduates that enable students to begin taking M.S. coursework in their senior year and receive a Master of Science degree within one year of finishing their undergraduate studies. Accelerated students are eligible for graduate research assistantship awards and once they confer their undergraduate degree, can apply for graduate teaching assistantships. Both types of awards defray the cost of the M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication degree. The program is open to all undergraduate majors as long as they have satisfied the prerequisites for the program and meet the admissions requirements.
B.S. Health Sciences students complete 46 credits of core courses and 24 credits in the pre-health communication area of study. Nine of the 18 credits of electives must be health and strategic communication (HCOM) graduate courses. All courses in the major must be taken for a letter grade with a “C” or higher. More information about the B.S. Health Sciences, pre-health communication area of study can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
Chapman students can apply to the M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication program during their junior year. Students will receive conditional admission to the program, pending completion of their B.S. degree as stipulated in the graduate catalog. If accepted to the M.S. program, students can take up to 12 graduate credits during their senior year as an undergraduate student that be used to satisfy both the undergraduate graduation requirements and count toward the M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication.
Before December 1 of the junior year, the student seeking early admission must schedule an interview with graduate director, Dr. Keith Weber (kweber@chapman.edu) and the School’s graduate program coordinator, Amy Rogeness (rogeness@chapman.edu or 714-744-7066) to review requirements and establish a plan to successfully complete the requirements for admission. Students meeting the stated requirements will be eligible for admission to the M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication program on a conditional basis until all B.S. Health Sciences degree requirements are completed and degree is conferred by the University.
Admission requirements:
- Online application for admission (includes $60 non-refundable application fee).
- 3.000 is the minimum recommended undergraduate cumulative grade point average.
- Letters of recommendation - Two letters of recommendation are required, including one which must be from an academic source who describes your professional and academic abilities.
- Statement of intent - A 500 word essay addressing the area of communication in which you are interested.
- Resume - A resume or curriculum vitae is required.
- Official transcripts will be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar.
- Graduate Record Examination GRE will be waived for current Chapman students applying for an accelerated program.