Online Master’s in Strategic Communication Programs in 2025

The University of West Florida's online Master's in Strategic Communication and Leadership is a comprehensive 33-semester hour program tailored for professionals seeking advanced communication expertise. This hybrid program requires no specific communication background and offers three integrated certificates in executive communication, social media, and health leadership. Students develop strategic messaging skills, ethical leadership principles, and professional portfolios through hands-on projects. Ideal for diverse career paths in advertising, public relations, and leadership roles, the program demands a minimum 3.0 GPA and includes a capstone project. Military-friendly and designed for working professionals, it provides flexible learning without traditional communication prerequisites.

• 33 total semester hours
• No communication prereqs required
• Three integrated certificates
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Capstone project included
• Bachelor's degree prerequisite
• No specific communication background
• Hands-on strategic communication training
• Ethical leadership focus
• Professional portfolio development

Focused on Executive Communication, UWF's online Master's program empowers professionals with advanced strategic communication skills. This 33-semester hour hybrid degree integrates specialized certificates and a capstone project, emphasizing ethical leadership and strategic messaging. Without strict communication background requirements, students develop comprehensive professional portfolios through cutting-edge research and hands-on learning. The program prepares graduates for leadership roles across industries, offering flexible non-degree certificate options and multiple career pathway opportunities. Designed for ambitious professionals seeking to enhance their communication and leadership capabilities.

• Master's degree 33 semester hours
• No communication prerequisite required
• Three integrated certificates
• Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
• Capstone project included
• Multiple career pathway preparation
• Ethical leadership focus
• Hands-on portfolio development
• Advanced communication research
• Flexible non-degree certificate options

UWF's online Master's program in Strategic Communication and Leadership with a Social Media for Public Relations and Advertising concentration provides a comprehensive 33-credit hybrid learning experience. Students gain sophisticated digital communication techniques, focusing on social media strategies for advertising and PR professionals. The program integrates three specialized certificates, emphasizing hands-on projects and ethical leadership principles. With no communication prerequisite, students develop professional portfolios and explore cutting-edge research methods. Graduates can pursue diverse career opportunities in social media management, digital advertising, and strategic communication roles.

• 33 total semester hours
• No communication prerequisite
• Three graduate certificates included
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Bachelor's degree needed
• No grade below 'B' accepted
• Capstone project required
• Multiple career pathway options
• Ethical leadership focus
• Professional portfolio development

The University of West Florida's online Health Leadership Communication concentration offers a transformative 33-semester hour Master's program for healthcare communication professionals. This hybrid degree combines three powerful certificates in executive, health leadership, and social media communication. Students develop critical skills in ethical leadership, strategic messaging, and professional portfolio creation through real-world client projects. Designed for professionals seeking to advance in healthcare communication, community relations, and leadership roles, the program provides a holistic approach to strategic communication without traditional communication degree prerequisites.

• Master's Degree: 33 Semester Hours
• Three Career-Enhancing Certificates
• No Communication Degree Prerequisites
• Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
• Real-World Client Projects
• Ethical Leadership Focus
• Diverse Career Pathways
• Capstone Project Included
• Advanced Research Methods
• Professional Portfolio Development

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's online Master's in Strategic Communication provides a unique Applied Concentration pathway for communication professionals seeking advanced digital communication skills. The hybrid program spans 36 credit hours with flexible full and part-time enrollment options. Students explore comprehensive digital communication strategies, developing leadership capabilities across corporate, healthcare, and technology sectors. The applied track emphasizes practical skill development, offering graduate assistantships and rolling admission. Military-friendly and career-focused, the program prepares graduates to excel in rapidly evolving communication environments with enhanced professional opportunities.

• 36 total credit hours
• Full and part-time options
• Applied and research tracks
• Rolling admission process
• Graduate assistantships available
• Focus on digital communication skills
• Career-ready skill development
• Internship and job market preparation

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's online Master's in Strategic Communication offers a rigorous Research Concentration designed for professionals seeking in-depth communication analysis and advanced methodological training. The 36-credit hybrid program provides comprehensive research skills applicable across multiple industries. Students engage in scholarly exploration of strategic communication theories, developing critical research competencies. With full and part-time options, rolling admission, and graduate assistantship opportunities, the program cultivates advanced academic and professional communication expertise. Military-friendly and career-oriented, graduates are prepared for leadership roles in research-driven communication environments.

• 36 total credit hours
• Two program tracks available
• Rolling admission process
• Full and part-time options
• Applied and research tracks
• Career-focused curriculum
• Graduate assistantships available
• Competitive professional advancement

Florida International University's online Master of Science in Global Strategic Communications offers a comprehensive 12-month program designed for professionals seeking advanced communication skills. The curriculum provides a robust exploration of reputation management, branding, social media strategies, and crisis communication ethics. Tailored for working professionals, this fully online degree requires a 3.0 GPA and GRE scores for admission. With a consistent $25,000 tuition for residents and non-residents, students gain expertise in digital communication and strategic management across six eight-week terms, preparing them for leadership roles in global communication landscapes.

• 12-month program
• Fully online
• Global focus
• Strategic communication
• $25,000 cost
• 3.0 GPA required
• GRE scores needed
• Professional project
• Six eight-week terms
• 12 credits per semester

FIU's Management Track in the online Master of Science in Global Strategic Communications empowers professionals to excel in communication leadership roles. This 12-month program strategically develops skills in digital expertise and strategic management, focusing on innovative communication techniques. Requiring 30 total credits and maintaining a $25,000 tuition, the curriculum prepares students for executive communication positions. With flexible semester start dates and a globally-oriented approach, graduates gain comprehensive skills in advertising, public relations, and integrated communications, targeting professionals seeking advanced strategic communication capabilities.

• Fully online 12-month program
• 30 total credits required
• $25,000 total tuition cost
• Prepares for executive communication roles
• Digital communication expertise focus
• Multiple course concentration options
• Professional project culmination
• Globally-oriented curriculum
• Flexible semester start dates
• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA required

The Creative Track of FIU's online Global Strategic Communications Master's program cultivates communication professionals for high-impact roles across corporate, government, and non-profit sectors. This intensive 12-month degree emphasizes digital expertise and global perspectives, integrating advanced skills in reputation management, branding, and crisis communication. Requiring a 4-year bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, and GRE scores, the program positions graduates for competitive communication careers with potential salaries exceeding $114,800. Students develop practical and theoretical insights through a comprehensive professional project and digital communication focus.

• Fully online 12-month program
• 30 total credit hours
• Total tuition $25,000
• Requires 4-year bachelor's degree
• Minimum 3.0 upper-division GPA
• Digital communication focus
• Global communication perspective
• Professional project required
• Two recommendation letters needed
• GRE scores or waiver required

The University of Akron's fully online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication empowers working professionals to master advanced communication strategies across diverse digital platforms. Completed within 18 months, this comprehensive program offers two specialized cognate areas, enabling students to develop targeted expertise in strategic communication. With a flexible curriculum designed for career advancement, students explore graduate-level research methodologies, engage in practical communication analysis, and complete a comprehensive capstone project. The program's interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates for leadership roles in media, digital communication, and organizational communication sectors, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission.

• 100% online program
• Completable in 18 months
• Two cognate area options
• Tailored for working professionals
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• 30 total credit hours
• Graduate-level communication research
• Capstone project included
• Diverse course selection
• Flexible elective options

Focusing specifically on Strategic Social Media, the University of Akron's online Master of Arts program provides professionals with cutting-edge digital communication skills. This 18-month degree equips students with advanced strategies for creating, analyzing, and managing social media communication across various sectors. Tailored for working professionals, the program emphasizes practical industry applications, graduate-level research techniques, and comprehensive understanding of digital communication landscapes. Students develop expertise in crafting strategic social media messages, understanding algorithmic trends, and leveraging digital platforms for organizational communication. The curriculum includes a capstone project and requires a 3.0 GPA for admission.

• 100% online program
• Completed in 18 months
• Two cognate area options
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Tailored for working professionals
• 30 total credit hours
• Graduate-level research focus
• Capstone project included
• Interdisciplinary course offerings

The University of Akron's online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication with a Health and Crisis Communication concentration prepares professionals to navigate complex communication challenges in healthcare and emergency settings. This 18-month program provides comprehensive training in strategic messaging, crisis management, and health communication strategies. Students develop advanced skills in analyzing, creating, and disseminating critical information across diverse platforms. The curriculum integrates theoretical frameworks with practical applications, focusing on effective communication during high-stakes scenarios. Designed for working professionals and recent graduates, the program emphasizes research methods, includes a capstone project, and requires a 3.0 GPA for admission.

• 100% online program
• Can complete in 18 months
• Two cognate area options
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• Focuses on strategic communication
• Designed for working professionals
• Covers social media strategies
• Includes health communication focus
• Graduate-level research methods
• Capstone project included

The University of Florida's online Master of Arts in Mass Communication with Global Strategic Communication concentration equips professionals for international communication challenges. This comprehensive 36-credit program leverages asynchronous online learning to develop advanced intercultural communication skills. Students explore strategic messaging, global communication dynamics, and professional communication strategies through expert-led coursework. Designed for working professionals, the program offers flexible scheduling, multiple course tracks, and a capstone project requirement. Military-friendly and featuring recorded lecture accessibility, it provides an innovative pathway for communication professionals seeking to expand their global strategic communication expertise.

• Online Master's degree program
• 36 total credit hours
• Flexible online learning format
• Taught by industry professionals
• Global strategic communication focus
• Capstone project required
• Multiple course core tracks
• Recorded lecture accessibility
• 1-3 classes per semester