Strategic Communication (M.A.)

  • Master's Program
  • 1-year, Hybrid

What You’ll learn

Graduate programs at La Salle provide students with the essential skills expected of advanced professionals, including writing, speaking, and applied research methods. Our students develop the ability to strategically manage the complexities of communication and are well-prepared for career advancement in a variety of fields, including communication management, public relations, and human relations.

Why Study Strategic Communication at La Salle?

We are located in one of the country’s greatest classrooms: Philadelphia. As the country’s 6th largest metropolitan area and home to 6 million people, Philadelphia is the economic and cultural center of the Delaware Valley. With the opportunity to learn from working professionals and strong alumni connections, La Salle gives you the chance to network and open the door to many opportunities in this region and beyond.

Curriculum, Courses and Requirements

Highlighted Courses

COM 640 – Professional Media Development

This course presents current audio and video practices and technologies used in corporate and institutional communications. Students will implement these pre-production, production, and post-production practices in developing messages for corporate and institutional audiences while gaining an understanding of script-writing, lighting, audio, and editing tools.

COM 641 – Social Media

Students explore the new media landscape in terms of online expression, social networking, identity management, and community building. This course is grounded in practice, and students will be required to participate in social networks, forums, blogs, wikis, micro-blogs, and other emerging forms of social media.

COM 623 – Public Relations Writing

This course involves strategies and practices for writing, media planning, and digital content creation with a focus on owned and earned media. The emphasis is on producing narrative content that achieves integrated marketing communication goals.

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty members encourage students to apply their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. Our programs integrate theory with real world experiences through special topic courses with working professionals as instructors, internships, and a capstone practicum project for M.A. students—a partnership between the student, an organization, and La Salle that requires students to apply what they’ve learned to address an actual organization’s communication. Our students have earned company-wide recognition, promotions, and bonuses because of the impact their practicum projects had on the organization. Plus, relationships built during the practicum have led to new, advanced-level positions for our students.

Career Opportunities

According to the BLS, overall employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 68,600 new jobs over the decade. The median annual wage for this group was $62,340 in May 2021, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 20241204

Former NBA Star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist advocates for all who share his speech condition.

Associate Professor Siobhan M. Conaty, PhD, FCPP, elected as a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia on Nov. 15, 2024.

Associate Professor Siobhan Conaty, Ph.D., was honored with induction into The College of Physicians of Philadelphia on Nov. 15, 2024. She was among the 27 inductees that included prominent physicians, experts from public health and academia, and civic leaders.

I am inspired every day by the contributions our students make to the community. I am energized by how our University—as well as others—are reinventing themselves during challenging times to ensure that future generations can receive a high-quality education that prepares them for a lifetime of success and opportunities.