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Digital Communication, Master of Science

 

Program Purpose

The Master of Science in Digital Communication is an online, multidisciplinary master’s program, STEM designated, for those holding a bachelor’s degree in communication or related subjects.  

This 33-credit program is designed to offer students the experience to learn the digitally evolving field of communications through a project-based, technology driven approach applied throughout the curriculum. Students are required to conduct research, analyze, and evaluate communication data, and generate digital content throughout their coursework. 

The program is comprised of an 18-credit communication core focusing on communication skills including communication writing, crisis management, and analytics, coupled with additional training in the student’s selected 15-credit concentration.  Students may select one from the following list of communication concentrations:

  • Digital & Social Media Strategy
  • General Communication
  • Healthcare Communication
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Web Design

 

Program Competencies

The graduate student who successfully completes the M.S. in Digital Communication program will have a level of applicable knowledge in the following areas as appropriate to one’s field of study: 

  1. Analyze legal, ethical, and leadership principles within the field of professional communication.
  2. Conduct research using methods appropriate to the communication field.
  3. Write with clarity and precision in a variety of formats and styles appropriate for different audiences, purposes, and publication needs.
  4. Evaluate communication data using statistical concepts to inform the public.
  5. Apply tools appropriate for the communication field (graphics, audio, video, text, web, social media, etc.).
  6. Analyze the impact of communication within an interconnected and technology-driven society.

Digital Communication Core Requirements (18 credits)

Emerging Tech and Comm

Digital Content and Visual Data

OR

Strategic Communication

Crisis Communication and Risk

Communication Writing

Legal and Ethical Issues

Communication Analytics

Digital and Social Media Strategy Concentration (15 credits)

Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Digital and Social Media Strategy concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following four courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).

Social Media and Society

Digital Strategy and Campaigns

SEO and Digital Consumers

Strategy and Decision-Making

Capstone

Field Experience/Co-op

OR

Communication Capstone

General Communication Concentration (15 credits)

Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a General Communication concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), four courses (12 credits) from the following list, and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).

Social Media and Society

Digital Strategy and Campaigns

Public Relations Analytics

Branding and Entrepreneurship

Medical Writing

SEO and Digital Consumers

Global Marketing Management

Market Research and Consumer Behavior

Business to Business and Business to Government Marketing

Integrated Marketing Communications

Marketing Analytics

Multi-Media Communication

Global Leadership

Strategy and Decision-Making

Capstone

Field Experience/Co-op

OR

Communication Capstone

Healthcare Communication Concentration (15 credits)

Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Healthcare Communication concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).

Social Media and Society

OR

Digital Strategy and Campaigns

Medical Writing

Marketing in the Health Care Sector

Communication & Teams

Capstone

Field Experience/Co-op

OR

Communication Capstone

Marketing Concentration (15 credits)

Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Marketing concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following four courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).

Global Marketing Management

Market Research and Consumer Behavior

Business to Business and Business to Government Marketing

Marketing Analytics

Capstone

Field Experience/Co-op

OR

Communication Capstone

Public Relations Concentration (15 credits)

Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Public Relations concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).

Public Relations Analytics

Branding and Entrepreneurship

OR

Communication & Teams

Multi-Media Communication

Strategy and Decision-Making

Capstone

Field Experience/Co-op

OR

Communication Capstone

Web Design Concentration (15 credits)

Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Web Design concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), four courses (12 credits) from the following list, and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).

 

Web Design and Architecture

Web Design with JavaScript

Markup Languages Advanced Authoring

Database/Web Design Integration

Server-Side Web Development

Internet Development/Design for Competitive Advantage

Topics in Web Design and Programming

Capstone

Field Experience/Co-op

OR

Communication Capstone

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2023 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.