Unlock your professional potential with a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, designed to meet the demands of working professionals in the dynamic world of public relations, marketing communications, and media. Professionals use strategic messaging to shape public opinion, influence behavior, build consensus, and convey information. Strategic communication is a broad field with skills valued by employers including:
Students applying for admission to the M.A. in Strategic Communication must meet the university-wide requirements for graduate admission and the specific requirements for the MASC.
All application materials must be sent to the UT Martin Office of Graduate Studies.
Applicants who meet the following requirements qualify for unconditional admission to the MASC.
Applicants may be granted conditional admission to the MASC subject to the following conditions:
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OR
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Undergraduate seniors currently enrolled in the final semester for a baccalaureate degree at a university/college in the U.S. have the option for early admission to the MASC.
According to the UT Martin Graduate Catalog, “a senior at UT Martin who needs less than 30 semester hours to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree and has at least a B (3.00) cumulative average may take sufficient work for graduate credit to make a combined total of undergraduate and graduate credit hours of not more than 15 per semester, subject to the approval of the dean of graduate studies.” Strategic communication graduate courses may be taken only if a student meets all undergraduate prerequisite course requirements and must meet the requirements for unconditional admission. Students cannot earn both undergraduate and graduate credit for the same course.
The Graduate Studies Office must have received official qualifying exam scores, which equal or exceed the minimum requirement, current official transcript from the institution currently being attended and one official transcript from any other colleges/universities attended previously. The applicant must also meet the requirements for unconditional admission to the MASC, which may exceed the university's minimum requirements.
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on campus. Students should direct all inquiries to the Graduate Studies office. Graduate Assistant responsibilities vary according to assignment. Assistantships carry a fixed stipend and provide a waiver of all tuition charges, including out-of-state fees, for GA’s with at least 30 percent appointment. International students may not apply for an assistantship until they have completed at least one term of full-time work at UT Martin.
Find out more information about Graduate Assistantships at https://www.utm.edu/academics/graduate-studies/graduate-scholarship-opportunities-and-assistantships.php.
The University of Tennessee at Martin is strongly committed to increasing the enrollment of graduate students from underrepresented groups. Access and Diversity scholarships are available for qualified groups. Recipients are selected based upon the nomination by graduate coordinators/designee.
The university accepts fee waivers for UTM employees, UT system employees, and Tennessee state employees. For more information, see http://www.utm.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-bursar/forms.php.
The Department of Education offers Unsubsidized Stafford loans and Graduate Plus loans to students to help pay educational expenses. To be eligible, a student must complete a FAFSA, be admitted to a graduate program, be enrolled in at least 6 hours and have good standing with the university. The aggregate amounts of guaranteed student loans shall not exceed $138,500, including undergraduate loans. Students will be notified of eligibility. For more information concerning the various types of financial aid available, students should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance located in 205 Administration Building or visit their website at http://www.utm.edu/offices-and-services/financial-aid-and-scholarships/.
The MASC combines the flexibility of engaging online coursework with a small amount of required attendance on campus (four total days). This approach allows working professionals the flexibility needed to accommodate busy work schedules and provides an opportunity to develop relationships with faculty mentors and peers through on-campus weekends.
Credit hours required to complete the degree
Number of semesters required to complete the program depending on the amount of hours taken each semester
Amount of coursework that can be completed online
The majority of students complete the 33-hour Porfolio option. Under this plan, students take 33 hours of coursework and create portfolio containing project and assignments completed in MASC courses to demonstrate mastery of the program learning outcomes.
All students are required to complete the following courses with a final letter grade of at least a “B”.
All students are required to complete the following courses with a final letter grade of at least a “B”.
View Course Descriptions in the UT Martin Academic Catalog.
Dr. Chara Van Horn
305E Gooch Hall
Martin, TN 38238
Ph: (731) 881-7548
Em: cvanhor2@utm.edu
The MASC combines the flexibility of engaging online coursework with a small amount of required attendance on campus (approximately four weekends total). This approach allows working professionals the flexibility needed to accommodate busy work schedules and provides an opportunity to develop relationships with faculty mentors and peers through on-campus weekends.
Strategic communication is coordinated, purposeful use of communication tools to meet objectives and help an organization fulfill its mission. It involves strong research, strategic planning, leadership, and a command of a wide range of communication strategies and tactics.
Strategic communication is a broad field that includes public relations, marketing communication, crisis communication, organizational communication, political communication. Professionals use strategic messaging and persuasion to shape public opinion and behavior, to build consensus, and to convey information.
The M.A. in Strategic Communication is a professionally oriented degree program designed to provide the knowledge and skills that you need to succeed in a competitive workplace. Employers in all fields consistently list many of the skills addressed in the MASC program as highly valuable.
The Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE), which is composed of educators and public relations professionals, has studied and made recommendations about U.S.-based public relations education since 1980. The Commission’s recommendations have been widely adopted by academic programs and endorsed by professional organizations, including the Public Relations Society of America. The CPRE released the Standards for a Master’s Degree in Public Relations: Educating for Complexity report in 2012. The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) also lists 13 professional values and core competencies that must be addressed in journalism and mass communication graduate programs.
Based on extensive industry research conducted by the CPRE and the ACEJMC professional values and core competencies, graduates of the M.A. in Strategic Communication at UT Martin should demonstrate proficiency in the following five student learning outcomes.
The MASC coursework was developed based on extensive industry research conducted by the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE), which is composed of educators and public relations professionals, and the educational standards of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The courses address the real-world skills and knowledge demanded by employers and business leaders.
The career outlook for individuals with strategic communication training is strong in the Mid-South region and nationally.
U.S. job descriptions on Indeed.com including “strategic communication”
Tennessee job descriptions on Indeed.com including “strategic communication”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projected job growth in the public relations sector through 2026
Additionally, many employers prefer or require a graduate degree for many communication roles.
Students applying for admission to the M.A. in Strategic Communication must meet the university-wide requirements for graduate admission and the specific requirements for the MASC.
Tips for GRE/GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
Analytical Writing Sample Essays and Commentaries
(The GRE and GMAT Analytical Writing Assignments are similar)
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): APA Formatting and Style Guide Website
This self-paced workbook will teach you APA style through a series of exercises and practice tests.
This is the comprehensive APA manual. It includes writing style rules, grammar and language guidelines, and citation information. It is available in hard cover, soft cover, spiral bound, and Kindle formats.
This is a more concise version of the APA manual and addresses essentially writing standards.
This e-book explains the eight steps to completing a capstone research project or thesis in a practical way. It is only available as a Kindle book from Amazon. You can download the Kindle app and read the book on any device.
Capstone Project Proposal and Final Project
COMM 703 Syllabus with Comprehensive Exam Breakdown
This book is an easy-to-read, practical book for research statistics. It explains statistical concepts and tests in plain English with an emphasis on practical application. Each chapter ends with a discussion of how to use SPSS to con- duct the statistical test. The ow charts are invaluable.
This book includes detailed descriptions, instructions, and sample APA results sections for the most common statistical tests performed in SPSS. Some of the terminology is a little dated—it still references a “floppy disk” — but it’s still a great reference book. Note: There is a newer edition but it is not significantly different. Save a little money and order the sixth edition.
“The MASC program’s asynchronous modality allowed me, a non-traditional student, the flexibility of completing assignments online with limited disruptions to my busy work and home life.The faculty was exceptional; they were knowledgeable, supportive, and always available to answer questions and provide assistance. I was particularly impressed by the instruction I received during the program. ”
