For Prospective MA Online Students

​The mission of the University of Delaware's M.A. in Strategic Communication program is to provide training to practitioners and students in the fields of strategic communication, public relations, digital media, and social media. Offered completely on​line, students will learn to drive tactical communication initiatives to help shape their organization's relationship with all audiences and stakeholders. Specializations include Public Relations or Digital and Social Media, or students can customize their own program of study.​ For more information, contact Tara Lynn Smith, program director, at taralynn@udel.edu​.

​PRNews has named UD's Department of Communication to its annual Education A List, recognizing the department's robust undergraduate and graduate programs as among the best in training future public relations, communications, and marketing professionals.​ UD communication courses specialize in media communication, mass media, public relations, and marketing communications.

The M.A. in Strategic Communication program began in 2019 and now offers dozens of courses, developed by full-time faculty and adjunct instructors who are also PR practitioners. Recruited from across the country, the adjuncts not only teach but develop the courses they helm. ​

After completing the program, learners will be able to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of strategic communication and acquire the skill set necessary to apply what they learn in the professional world.
• Design and implement research for their organizations.
• Design, implement, and evaluate communication campaigns.
• Deliver recommendations for the future of projects and issues they may face in their careers.
• Write for multimedia with a professional audience (strategic communication/public relations) in mind.
• Analyze and evaluate competitors' strategic communication efforts.​

The M.A. in Strategic Communication degree offers two core specializations:

• Public Relations
• Digital and Social Media

Students can also build an individualized program of study that best meets their professional development needs and career goals. 

​​​In as few as 24 months, students will take 30 credit hours of strategic communication courses, covering topics such as social media management, public relations campaign planning, digital media strategy, and strategic communication theory and research.​

​​To meet the increasing demand of employers for professionals with advanced degrees, the University of Delaware offers current communication students the opportunity to apply to the 4+1 accelerated degree program. Students in the program can complete a B.A. degree in Communication and an M.A. degree in Strategic Communication ​within five years. Students build on the strong foundation of their undergraduate education, then use their graduate degree to specialize in the fields of strategic communication, public relations, digital media and social media.​ Coursework includes a capstone course, which requires students to identify a research-based or applied strategic communication project. ​For more information, contact Professor James Angelini​​ at angelini@udel.edu.

Students in the accelerated 4-1 degree program can:

• Complete both degrees in less time.
• Take graduate credits during their undergraduate senior year, applying up to six credits toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Complete a full-time master’s degree without interrupting their professional careers.
• Gain a competitive advantage in the job market upon graduation.
• Access opportunities for advanced study beyond what can be attained at the undergraduate level.​
• Customize their program of study according to their own goals.

• ​To learn more about courses, tuition, and applying to the program, visit Master of Arts in Strategic Communication | University of Delaware Online (udel.edu). 
• For information about program flexibility, degree specializations, and course instructors,​ watch the virtual open house with Program Director Tara L. Smith and Admissions Counselor Jaime Estevez. 
• Visit UD's M.A. in Strategic Communication channel for videos by course instructors and guest speakers who share industry insights.​