Program Overview
What you’ll get from the online master’s in strategic communication
Expand your expertise in applied and professional communication with the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication online. Our faculty intentionally designed the curriculum to help you build skills that will translate to various professions across many fields. You’ll learn about data-driven decision-making, how to create content for social media to give your organization an edge, how to communicate through crises, and realize the importance of developing relationships with the media. As a working student, you can apply your coursework immediately in your current position.
Courses include study on communication campaigns, public relations, research, argumentation and more. All classes are 100% online and only 7 weeks long, allowing you to earn your degree faster from any location that is convenient to your lifestyle.
As a graduate of this online M.A. program, you will be prepared to:
- Build expertise in both new and traditional media, as well as critical knowledge and skills for today’s innovative communication environment
- Learn how to gather and analyze information and use those findings to create effective communication campaigns
- Explore traditional and emerging platforms, technologies and approaches for telling authentic stories
- Build expertise in both new and traditional media, as well as critical knowledge and skills for today’s innovative communication environment
- Learn how to gather and analyze information and use those findings to create effective communication campaigns
- Explore traditional and emerging platforms, technologies and approaches for telling authentic stories
Strategic communication career opportunities include:
- Corporate Communications
- Outreach Specialist
- Advertising Strategist
- Copywriter
- Corporate Communications
- Outreach Specialist
- Advertising Strategist
- Copywriter
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition
Reasonable, pay-by-the-course tuition puts your M.A. within reach
Our online master’s in strategic communication program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. in Strategic Communication | $391 | $1,173 | $11,730 |
Important Refund Information
| 2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
| 4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
| 6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
| 8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Tuition breakdown:
Transfer your credits for lower tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Calendar
Here are the dates you need to know
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/6/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
| Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/24/25 | 2/27/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/24/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/11/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/25/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/14/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/20/25 | 10/10/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/20/25 | 10/6/25 | 10/9/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/15/25 | 12/5/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Find out what it takes to apply for the master's in strategic communication
At Northwest, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the M.A. in Strategic Communication online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Statement of Purpose:
State your personal objectives for applying for the online M.A. in
Strategic Communication at Northwest Missouri State University (e.g., what are
your reasons for graduate study, your goals and reasons for selecting this
field of study).
1. The Statement of Purpose should be no more than 400 words. Keep your answers concise and informative.
2. Use Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1" margins and double spaced lines.
3. Save and upload the document as .pdf file. No other file formats will be accepted.
4. Remove any identifying information from your Statement of Purpose. If you are using Microsoft Office Word, follow these steps: select File, select Properties, select the Summary tab and remove your personal information.
5. When you finish your Statement of Purpose, email it to [email protected].
Official transcript(s) may be emailed to: [email protected].
Official documents may be mailed to:
Graduate Records Specialist
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
Learn more about our strategic communication master’s courses
For the M.A. in Strategic Communication online, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours).
COM 29610 (Foundations of Graduate Studies in Strategic Communication) is the suggested first course. If necessary, COM 29615, COM 29621 and COM 29622 may be taken concurrently or prior.
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
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