This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
Learning Outcomes
A candidate for a professional master’s degree is expected to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the chosen discipline. Graduates will:
- be able to generate innovative and integrative solutions to communication problems that impact organizations and communities;
- evaluate and apply strategic communication and public relations theories broadly conceived to a range of social, cultural, and other contextual and communicative settings;
- learn to interpret and contribute to strategic communication research using qualitative and quantitative methods;
- demonstrate familiarity with relevant subfields of scholarship, synthesize existing knowledge, and identify and access appropriate resources and other sources of relevant information;
- grow their human capital through the attainment of relevant communication knowledge and skills and the ability to be effective team members and leaders in a diverse and complex world; and
- demonstrate professional skills, adhere to ethical standards in the discipline, and listen, give, and receive feedback effectively.
The Master of Arts in strategic communication requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit. Courses for the program are offered online.
The curriculum consists of core courses, electives, and a capstone project. In most courses, students are encouraged to introduce case studies and projects from their workplace.
The MA in strategic communication requires the following coursework.
Core Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| JMC:5220 | Foundations of Strategic Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5225 | Digital Strategic Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5230 | Strategic Communication Writing | 3 |
| JMC:5235 | Strategic Communication Research | 3 |
| JMC:5290 | Capstone Project in Strategic Communication | 3 |
Electives
In consultation with their advisors, students earn 15 s.h. in elective coursework. At least 9 s.h. of electives must be in journalism and mass communication courses (prefix JMC) numbered 5000 or above.
Students are strongly encouraged to select coursework from the following list.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JMC:5236 | Topics in Strategic Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5238 | Strategic Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| JMC:5243 | Copywriting for Strategic Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5248 | Strategic Political Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5250 | Strategic Communication for Nonprofits | 3 |
| JMC:5255 | Strategic Global Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5260 | Digital Analytics for Strategic Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5266 | Risk Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5267 | Strategic Health Care Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5269 | Media Management for Strategic Communicators | 3 |
| JMC:5270 | Leadership Communication | 3 |
| JMC:5285 | Strategic Communication Externship | 3 |
Students may choose other electives appropriate for their individual programs, drawing from courses offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or by other University of Iowa departments and programs. A combined maximum of 6 s.h. of courses numbered 3000–4999 or approved graduate transfer credit is permitted.
With the approval of the student’s advisor, additional elective options include but are not limited to the following list.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Journalism and mass communication courses (prefix JMC) numbered 3000-7999 | ||
| Event management courses (prefix EVNT) numbered 3000-7999 | ||
| Approved graduate-level transfer credit | ||
| ASP:3150 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| CCP:3107 | Social Media for Your Job Search | 1 |
| CSED:4140 | Foundations of Leadership for Community Agencies | 3 |
| CW:4745/WRIT:4745 | The Sentence: Strategies for Writing | 3 |
| CW:4760/WRIT:4760 | The Art of Revision: Rewriting Prose for Clarity and Impact | 3 |
| EALL:4130/MUSM:4150 | Introduction to Grant Writing | 3 |
| ENTR:3200 | Entrepreneurial Marketing | 3 |
| GHS:3850/HHP:3850 | Promoting Health Globally | 3 |
| GWSS:3154 | Sexuality in the United States | 3 |
| MBA:8160 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MGMT:3600/RELS:3701/SSW:3600/NURS:3600 | Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness II | 3 |
| MGMT:4600/MUSM:4600 | Nonprofit Ethics and Governance | 3 |
| MGMT:9150/HMP:6360/PBAF:6278/RELS:6070/SPST:6010/SSW:6247/URP:6278 | Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I | 3 |
| MKTG:3000 | Introduction to Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MUSM:3001/ANTH:3001/EDTL:3001/SIED:3001 | Introduction to Museum Studies | 3 |
| POLI:3111 | American Public Policy | 3 |
| POLI:3516 | The Politics of International Economics | 3 |
| PSQF:6205 | Design of Instruction | 3 |
| PSQF:6211 | Universal Design and Accessibility for Online Instruction | 3 |
| PSQF:6215 | Online Instruction: Design and Facilitation | 3 |
| PSQF:6216 | Tools and Utilities for Online Teaching | 3 |
| SOC:4225 | The Social Psychology of Leadership | 3 |
| SRM:3147 | Sport Event Management | 3 |
| SRM:3157 | Managerial Operations in Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| SRM:3178 | Communications and Public Relations in Sports | 3 |
| WRIT:3005/CW:3005/INTD:3005 | Professional and Creative Business Communication | 3 |
BA in Journalism and Mass Communication/MA
The combined BA/MA program enables students to begin work toward the MA in strategic communication while completing the bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. Students admitted to the program may count 12 s.h. of credit toward both the BA and MA degree requirements. Offered by the Graduate College and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
MA/MBA
The combined Master of Business Administration/MA in strategic communication program aims to meet the evolving needs of the market by producing graduates with a unique skill set that integrates advanced communication strategies with robust business acumen for the digital world. Offered by Tippie Professional Programs (Tippie College of Business) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; see the Master of Business Administration, MBA in the catalog.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applications for admission to the program are accepted all year.
The strategic communication program is designed for professionals in a wide variety of areas, such as corporate and organizational communication, public relations, integrated marketing communication, advertising, political and public affairs communication, health communication, event management, risk communication, and professional writing. The program focuses on the skills, knowledge, and experience that working professionals need, including the ability to anticipate and meet the challenges of radical change in the media landscape.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Strategic Communication, MA
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Graduate College program GPA of at least 2.75 is required. c | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| JMC:5220 | Foundations of Strategic Communication d | 3 |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| JMC:5230 | Strategic Communication Writing d | 3 |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| JMC:5236 | Topics in Strategic Communication f | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| JMC:5225 | Digital Strategic Communication d | 3 |
| JMC:5235 | Strategic Communication Research d | 3 |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| JMC:5290 | Capstone Project in Strategic Communication d | 3 |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- Most students take two courses per semester with some summer courses; program courses are offered online.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Graduate College program GPA is comprised of all courses that are approved degree requirements. If a student takes more than the minimum required number of semester hours to complete the degree, but all courses taken are eligible to count toward the degree, those courses will be included in the Graduate College program GPA.
- d
- Students must complete JMC:5220, JMC:5225, JMC:5230, JMC:5235, JMC:5290; work with faculty advisor to determine required core coursework and sequence.
- e
- In consultation with their advisors, students earn 15 s.h. in elective coursework. At least 9 s.h. of electives must be in journalism and mass communication courses (prefix JMC) numbered 5000 or above. See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.
- f
- SJMC usually offers a JMC:5236 topics course in summer. Students may also opt to take an elective across the university.