School of Professional Studies

Master's of Professional Studies | Media & Strategic Communication
Course Requirements & Descriptions

Media & Strategic Communication Degree 30 Hours

12 Hours Core Courses:

PRST 6100 - Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics Cr. 3.
Overview of ethics in general, with practical tools for assessing ethical dimensions of professional life, diagnosing or identifying the moral issues at hand, and then developing reasonable options to address particular moral and ethical issues.

COMM/PRST 6110 – Leadership and Communication Cr. 3.
This course focuses on leadership as a function of communication behavior. Through discussion, cases and exercises, participants will explore effective communication strategies within an organizational setting. The course will cover team leadership skills, rhetorical sensitivity, charisma and practical suggestions for improving leadership effectiveness.

PRST 6300 – Research Methods Cr. 3.
The student and application of research methods appropriate to professional studies. The course will provide a general introduction to research methods, as well as providing practical exposure to Problem Statements, Literature Reviews, Writing the Research Proposal, and Organization of the Research Report. Quantitative and Qualitative Research methodologies will be covered.

COMM/JOUR/PRST 6998 – Professional Project Cr. 3.
Taken during the final semester of the program. Students should begin planning the project when they enter the program. Please consult with your advisor about appropriate topics and submit your proposal for approval prior to entering the final project course.

The Professional Project is the last requirement, serving as the integrative culmination of the program of study. It should be a substantial piece of independent research or a significant professional project that is logically consistent with the theme and content of the program of study. Student’s work should demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of a body of professional literature related to a specific topic. The Project should grow out of the program of study and should demonstrate the student’s ability to use the knowledge gained from this program of study.

 

Choose at least 6 courses in the following:

COMM 5630 - Persuasion Cr. 3.
Promotes intellectual understanding and critical application of how individuals and groups influence the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of others.

JOUR 5030 - Field Experience in Event Planning and Promotion Cr. 3.
Prerequisite: COMM 3030 or permission of the instructor. This course will provide students with the opportunity to implement skills learned to manage and promote an actual event, either in pairs or small groups.

JOUR 5460 - Public Relations Cases and Practices Cr. 3.               
Practical aspects of public relations emphasized. Case studies considered.     

JOUR 5500 - Advanced Multimedia Storytelling Cr. 3.
A fast-paced course in content creation for the web and broadcast. May include experience on student media outlets. Associated Press style will be used.

JOUR 5820 - Advanced Reporting Cr. 3.
Writing and reporting for the commercial media. Students may serve as reporters for the campus newspaper.

JOUR 5830 - Feature Writing Cr. 3.
Writing and marketing of feature stories, commentaries, and articles.

JOUR 5843, 5846, 5849 - Special Problems Cr. 3.
Independent work in mass media research and/or writing related to student academic and career goals.

JOUR 5930 - Advanced Copy Editing Cr. 3.
Additional training in editing copy. Laboratory work may be required on the university student newspaper.

MKT 6100 - Strategic Marketing Cr. 3.
Strategic marketing issues and opportunities that impact both the marketing process and marking program. Decisions will also consider environmental variables as well as the internal elements of an organization.

MKT 6500 - Advanced Marketing Analysis Cr. 3.
A case course including an intensive study of analysis of marketing information for marketing decisions. Prerequisite: MKT 6100.

JOUR 6450 - Public Relations Management Cr. 3.
This program is meant to introduce many of the key aspects of public relations management through the readings of and understanding of public relations principles and case studies.

PRST 6200 – Globalization and the Professions (3)
The purpose of this course is to assess the impact of globalization on professional life. The course examines globalization as it relates to commerce, information flow, mass media, government, health care and education.

PRST 6720 - Crisis Response Cr. 3.
This course will focus on response issues surrounding a natural or man-made crisis/disaster. A focus will be given to Commanding, Controlling, Communicating, Coordinating, and Cooperating during a crisis according to NIMS/ICS standards.

PRST 6800 - Organizational Skills and Development (3)
Analysis of theory, practice and skills involved in leading organizational change, including: aligning change with the organizational strategy, understanding changes as part of a system, understanding the dynamics of and managing resistance to change, creating a vision to inspire others to become a part of the change process, the use of goal setting, feedback and incentives to promote change, and aligning individual’s roles to support change. The course will blend learning from the texts and skill building.