strategic communications phd

Communication Ph.D.

Study the different ways people communicate, so you can prepare for leadership roles across the globe.

Communication plays a fundamental role in our global society and it is imperative for us to recognize and appreciate the international and intercultural contexts in which it occurs. With a Ph.D. in Communication from UND, you'll learn about human communication across diverse cultures and through multiple systems.

Why earn a Ph.D. in communication?

*Priority deadline

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Understanding the different ways people communicate around the world will help you address socially and globally pressing communication challenges. The Communication Ph.D. at UND is a competitive program that provides you with knowledge and skills that will set you apart as a leader in international and intercultural communication.

A recent GRE score is required of all applicants. The department does not waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

Intensive Communication Research Ph.D. Program

Through both the on-campus and 100% online program tracks, you'll work hand-in-hand with research faculty recognized for their work in:

• Interpersonal and persuasive communication
• Risk and crisis communication
• New media and cyberculture
• Strategic communication in digital and social media environments

Online students must be enrolled full-time; on-campus students have the option of enrolling full-time or part time. This is to ensure adequate support for research initiatives.

Due to the research intensive nature of the program we encourage you to review our program's faculty profiles to learn more about individual faculty research interests and expertise. All students will be assigned a faculty advisor directly when conducting research.

Undergraduate to Ph.D. in Communication

Unique to our program, undergraduate students are allowed to apply directly to this Ph.D. program. If you have a bachelor's in Communication , our curriculum allows you to earn your master's in Communication at the same time you are working on a Ph.D.

UND's Communication Ph.D.

Learn from recognized leaders in the field of international and intercultural communication.

Develop your research interest in strategic communication, health communication, interpersonal and organizational communication, and much more.

Take part in graduate teaching assistantships. Positions available for students in both on-campus and 100% online tracks.

Earn a non-thesis master's degree on your way to completing your doctorate in our program.

S tudy closely with faculty across the broad range of communication areas to prepare for both careers and citizenship.

Understand how information processes and communication technologies affect and benefit diverse local and global communities.

Communication Ph.D. Careers

Projected job outlook for post-secondary teachers from 2022 to 2032

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median annual salary for post-secondary teachers, 2023

Upon completion of your Communication doctoral program, you'll emerge as a proficient communication specialist, equipped to excel in academia or thrive in media-related field.

Graduates of the University of North Dakota's Communications Ph.D. program have embarked on leadership roles in global and cross-cultural communication. The have job titles such as:

• Director of Communications: Spearheading communication strategies, our alumni often assume pivotal roles directing and shaping organizational messaging.
• Researcher: Equipped with advanced research skills, our graduates contribute valuable insights to the dynamic field of communication studies.
• Consultant: Our alumni serve as consultants, offering strategic guidance to organizations seeking to enhance their communication effectiveness.
• Policymaker: Some of our graduates leverage their communication acumen to influence policies. They participate in shaping regulations and standards on a local and global scale.

A substantial number of our graduates choose to contribute to higher education through teaching and advanced research. These paths have led them to roles such as:

• Department Head: Our alumni guide the direction of communication studies by taking on leadership positions within academic departments.
• Professorship: Achieving the pinnacle of academic success, our graduates secure professorships, where they shape the next generation of communication professionals.
• Associate Professorship: In roles as associate professors, our alumni engage in both teaching and research endeavors.
• Lecturer: Our graduates bring their practical experience and academic insights to the classroom.

Communication Ph.D. Courses

COMM 530. Communication, Society, & Diversity. 3 Credits.

An examination of how people from similar and different cultural, ethnic, national, racial, religious, and/or sexual backgrounds interact with each other, institutions, and society. The course covers issues of representation, identity, and difference. On demand.

COMM 525. Interpersonal Relations and Communication. 3 Credits.

Face-to-face and mediated transactions between two people or people in small groups in diverse settings. Deals with inquiry, conflict management, interpersonal sensitivity, individuality, and conformity.

COMM 535. Intercultural Communication. 3 Credits.

This course incorporates critical conceptualizations of identity, "the Other", and multiculturalism. It explores theoretical reflections of the symbolic systems of unfamiliar cultures, and the emergence of mutual understanding.

COMM 540. Communication and Organizations. 3 Credits.

Examines the general communication processes and dynamics within and among organizations and explores the dynamics in network organizations, with a particular focus on communication in interpersonal groups and inter-organizational working teams. Theories of power and politics in and among organizations, as well as of decision-making, conflict management, and strategic communication are explored.

COMM 550. International and Global Communication. 3 Credits.

An analysis of international media, comparative telecommunications systems and globalization. Covers issues such as transnational communication, global journalism, satellite broadcasting and communication in diplomacy and international affairs.

COMM 523. Social Network Analysis & Visualization. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to introduce you to the theory, methods, and procedures of network analysis with emphasis on applications to communication and social behavior. The goal of the course is to provide a working knowledge of the concepts and methods used to describe and analyze social networks so that you can apply it to important questions in your profession. S.

Best Ph.D. in Communications

UND's Communications Ph.D. ranks among the best for educational quality, affordability, and career outcomes.

#7 BEST ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM

Online Communication Ph.D.

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best online college in North Dakota

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The entire degree program is fully online. You are never required to come to campus.

Online Communication Ph.D. students are highly encouraged to attend live, synchronous online courses in order to get the most out of class participation. However, online courses are recorded and can be viewed at another time, to fit your schedule.

Top-Tier Online Communication Ph.D. Program

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

• Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
• Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

• Affordability
• Student satisfaction (retention rate)
• Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
• Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leaders that Do

Students at UND take chances, seek challenges and become leaders in the community.

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

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Strategic Communication (PhD)

Program at a glance.

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• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

The PhD in Strategic Communication offers advanced instruction in health communication, instructional emergency risk communication, and crisis communication; it prepares students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a successful, advanced career in communication and related fields in both academic and applied settings.

Strategic communication, one of the fastest-growing areas situated within the broader field of communication, is an innovative and unique subfield. It is distinct from other communication subfields in that it is intentionally goal-driven communication wherein communication scholars work in partnership with professionals in the public and private sectors to solve real-world problems.

The Strategic Communication PhD requires a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master's degree. The zero-hour Doctoral Colloquium will be required in the fall semesters of the first year. This course will introduce students to professional standards and practices associated with doctoral-level training in the field of Strategic Communication.

Total Credit Hours Required: 60 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree

Application Deadlines

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Enter your information below to receive more information about the Strategic Communication (PhD) program offered at UCF.

Program Prerequisites

An earned master's degree or its equivalent in Communication or a related field. The Director of Graduate Studies will evaluate the suitability and applicability of M.A. or M.S. degrees in other related disciplines for admission purposes.

Degree Requirements

• COM7920 - Doctoral Colloquium (99)

Core Requirements

• COM7236 - Seminar in Risk and Crisis Communication (3)
• COM7464 - Theory Building for Strategic Communication (3)
• COM7529 - Strategic Communication (3)
• COM7815 - Risk Communication (3)
• COM7821 - Instructional Communication in Strategic Contexts (3)

Research Requirements

• COM6303 - Qualitative Research Methods in Communication (3)
• COM6304 - Quantitative Research Methods in Communication (3)
• COM7325 - Seminar in Research Methods (3)
• SPC7685 - Rhetorical Criticism of Strategic Communication (3)

Community Engagement Requirement

• COM6918 - Directed Research (1 - 99)
• COM7528 - Communication and Community Engagement (1 - 99)
• COM 6946 Internship may also be taken

Unrestricted Electives

• Upon consultation with, and approval of the student's advisor, a student may complete up to 6 hours of elective courses from outside the NSCM (e.g., Emergency Management, Public Affairs). Note: Non-NSCM courses might not be offered on the Downtown campus and will require students to attend the course at the UCF Main campus.
• COM6046 - Interpersonal Communication (3)
• COM6047 - Interpersonal Support in the Workplace (3)
• COM6048 - Communication in Close Relationships (3)
• COM6121 - Communication Management (3)
• COM6145 - Organizational Communication (3)
• COM6401 - Communication Theory (3)
• COM6463 - Studies in Intercultural Communication (3)
• COM6467 - Studies in Persuasion (3)
• COM6535 - Communication Campaigns (3)
• COM7025 - Health Communication (3)
• COM7227 - Seminar in Health Communication (3)
• COM7745 - Current Issues in Communication (3)
• MMC6567 - New Media (3)
• MMC6600 - Media Effects and Audience Analysis (3)
• PUR6005 - Theories of Public Relations (3)
• PUR6403 - Crisis Public Relations (3)

Dissertation

• Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: COM 7980 Dissertation Research

Grand Total Credits: 60

Application requirements.

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Missouri School of Journalism

University of missouri, strategic communication.

The Strategic Communication doctoral area focuses on persuasion, defined as the principles and practice of all communication designed to create a desired response from a given audience. It includes the theory and practice of public relations and advertising.

Faculty and students in this area focus on extending persuasion theory and on applying rigorous research to real-world problems and opportunities in a dynamic media landscape.

One key area of practice is Strategic Health and Science Communication . This uses evidence-based messaging to help policymakers, health professionals, and others reach target audiences to enhance understanding of science and to encourage better health behaviors and outcomes.

Other areas of study include audience research, social media, strategic conflict management, risk and crisis communication, internal communication, interactive advertising, government communication, globalization of markets, and changing media models .

You will study with strategic communication researchers who are rated among the top scholars in the world. They have published in top-tier journals and attracted over $50 million in grants and contracts over the past 10 years. Research and grants are often interdisciplinary and inter-university with top scholars in public health, medical and nursing schools and life sciences.

In your research you can explore a diversity of approaches and methodologies. Quantitative approaches include surveys, experiments, psychophysiology, and content analyses. Qualitative methods include critical and cultural studies, ethnography, interview, narrative analysis and discourse analysis.

You will have opportunities to build your research skills that can lead to co- and single-authored papers as a doctoral student, as well as gain teaching, research, publication, conference and other professional development experiences.

Call 573-882-4852 or email us at [email protected] .

You are welcome to explore your research interests with doctoral faculty who specialize in this area.

• Associate Professor Fritz Cropp
• Professor Margaret Duffy
• Associate Professor Amanda Hinnant
• Associate Professor Sungkyoung Lee
• Assistant Professor Monique Luisi
• Professor Shelly Rodgers

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PhD in Communication

Doctor of philosophy in school of communication.

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At the Intersection of Media, Technology, and Democracy

The AU School of Communication's Doctor of Philosophy in Communication allows you to research at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. We study how media and technology interact with democratic culture and politics. Communication creates culture; communication is a vector of power; communication is central to democratic action. Our normative orientation toward a healthier democratic process is a theme consistent with the core public service mission of American University. Internet governance, podcasts as news sources, disinformation on Twitter, digital surveillance, facial recognition and power, racism on social media, and state social-media propaganda are all topics of recent dissertations.

Our focus is at the cutting edge of the field of communication studies today, and our students routinely present at our leading conferences. Our approach is also interdisciplinary, and we benefit from the diverse intellectual resources across American University, such as those showcased at the Internet Governance Lab , the AU Game Center ,  the Center for Media & Social Impact , the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies , and the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) . We also tap into our relationships with NGOs, media companies, foundations, and government institutions throughout the Washington metro area. 

In our doctoral program, you'll produce scholarship, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, that has real-world connection and impact . Your work will position you well to pick from career options that range from the professoriate to public policy research to media production to government. 

This is a three-year PhD, and from the moment you arrive, you will be working in a highly-structured program toward your dissertation research, building your networks, and developing publishable projects. You will join us in using knowledge to address our most pressing political and social challenge s . We welcome your application to become a part of the next generation of communication scholars, professors, leaders, and practitioners.

Demonstrate Your Commitment and Interest

Applicants for the Communication (PhD) degree program must hold an accredited bachelor's degree and a master's degree in communication, or a related field, with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher, unless the applicant demonstrates comparable experience. The degree does not have to be in the field of communication or be research-based, as many of our PhD students have master's degrees in film or journalism. 

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose that outlines the intended research area, what research methods and theories the applicant will use, and which faculty members the applicant hopes to work with.

The candidate must also submit either a master's thesis or another example of substantial research. The GRE is optional. Students should submit their official GRE scores to CEEB code 5007 if desired.

The School of Communication's PhD program operates on a hard deadline. Applications must be received by December 15th.  Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

A complete PhD application consists of the following:

• Statement of purpose
• University transcripts from all universities attended (transcripts from outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a NACES approevd organization)
• Two letters of recommendation
• GRE scores (optional)
• Master's thesis (or another example of substantial research)
• Proof of English proficiency (100 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS, 120 on Duolingo, or a bachelor or master's degree from a university in an English speaking country)

The admissions committee may ask applicants to interview with the program director and affiliated faculty. Interviews are conducted either on campus or virtually.

Financing Your Education

Each year, we welcome several doctoral students with full tuition remission as well as a graduate assistantship . We may also offer admission to top candidates without merit funding. If funding becomes available, students admitted without funding may be eligible to receive a merit package from the school.

The PhD in Communication is 54 credit hours. To estimate the cost of tuition , please see the current cost per credit hour for graduate students.

Students whose funding package includes a graduate assistantship will work as research or teaching assistants for 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. 

The School of Communication offers graduate students both merit-based and need-based financial aid . Merit awards, named scholarships, and fellowships are administered by the SOC Graduate Admissions Office, while need-based awards are administered by the American University Office of Financial Aid . Several prestigious graduate fellowships are also available for students in the Political Communication program. Additional financial support is available for veterans .

Each year, we welcome several doctoral students with full tuition remission as well as a graduate assistantship. We may also offer admission to top candidates without merit funding. If funding becomes available, students admitted without funding may be eligible to receive a merit package from the school. 

All merit awards are based on your academic merit and professional experience , specifically your undergraduate grades and leadership activities as well as career-related accomplishments. Merit awards are valid for one year-they vary in amount, are typically divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters, and are not typically renewable.

Some merit awards come in the form of graduate assistantships , which consist of graduate tuition remission, a stipend, or both. Tuition remission will vary in the number of credits offered. If you are offered a stipend, you must employed as a graduate assistant for a School of Communication faculty member for 10 hours per week.

Graduate Fellowships for Political Communication

The School of Communication offers prestigious merit-based fellowships in partnership with leading Washington, DC-based media organizations. These fellowships provide varying amounts of tuition remission and stipend and allow you to pursue professional projects with some of the finest media organizations while completing your graduate program. Separate applications are required . 

Research fellowships at academic centers within the School of Communication and throughout the university may also be available.

Unless indicated, students may not accept both a graduate assistantship and a graduate fellowship.

 Advanced Study at Your Convenience 

The School of Communication makes continuing on for your advanced degree a simple, straightforward process. You may apply for admission to our combined bachelor of arts/master of arts program during the second semester of your junior year (after completing 75 credits, but before you have completed 90 credits). Students in any undergraduate major at AU are eligible for consideration. An undergraduate degree in communication is not required.

You may apply for combined degrees in Political Communication, Strategic Communication, Film and Video, Journalism and Public Affairs, Game Design, or International Media.

More information about admissions requirements can be found here.

Meet Our Students

Our students produce scholarship, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, that has real-world connection and impact.

Democracy is a Laughing Matter

In the Top 5 percent of Best Ranked Programs in Communication and Media Studies

According to College Factual

Course Progression

Complete your degree in three years.

In contrast to the traditional 9-month-per-year schedule, your annual course of study takes place over 11 months, including faculty supervision and mentoring via formal course work, organized research group meetings, and online collaboration. The  accelerated structure  of your program allows you to complete your degree in three years.

You'll take six required courses, three each in the fall and spring semester. Depending on your past master's coursework and professional experience, you may be able to petition for credit for methods and/or statistics course work, substituting an advanced methods course or other elective. The required teaching seminar prepares you to work as a teaching assistant in an undergraduate course during your second year of coursework. Students who have prior college teaching experience or who have already taken a similar teaching seminar as part of their master's program can place out of this course, substituting an additional elective. In the summer immediately following your first year, you'll enroll in one course for credit and participate in research group meetings.

COMM-704: Media, Technology & Democracy (3) This is a foundation overview course focused on scholarship and analysis concerning the intersections of media, technology, and democracy. It also introduces other core courses and study concentrations for advanced study in these topics.

COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory (3) This course examines a range of theories for explaining the complex interrelationships among media, technology, human behavior, social interaction, and democratic processes. It provides an in-depth comparative analysis of theoretical approaches from a variety of academic fields including mass communication, cultural studies, film criticism, and digital media.

COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods (3) This course covers major social scientific, historical, ethnographic, qualitative, and critical approaches to media research, including discussions of epistemology, conceptualization, measurement, and ethics.

COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy (3) This course equips students with a strong grounding in U.S laws, policies, and regulatory infrastructure. It analyzes how public debates and political struggles over policy issues have shaped the culture, structure, and operations of contemporary U.S. media industries and institutions.

COMM-711: Teaching Seminar (3) This course provides students with career preparation knowledge, including understanding the culture and history of higher education, teaching skills, and career skills including submission to journals, book proposals, finding appropriate job opportunities, writing cover letters and doing job interviews. Some individual coaching is also involved.

NOTE: This course begins the Friday BEFORE school starts in spring semester, with attendance at an all-day event, the Ann Ferren Conference. This affects your travel schedule over winter holidays!

Approved graduate statistics or research methods course (3) (by preference) OR

Elective selected in consultation with faculty mentor (3)

Note: Students will work with their faculty mentor, who must have an appropriate terminal degree, to select two electives for the first fall semester.

COMM-755: Research Design in Communication (3). This course strengthens student skills in defining an answerable research questions and finding appropriate methodologies.

In the fall, you'll take two electives and a course to prepare you for the comprehensive examinations. By the end of your fall semester, you'll be expected to have gained approval and to have finalized the four faculty members of your doctoral committee, with at least one member being from outside of the School of Communication. At the beginning of your spring semester, you'll begin your qualifying exams. This process takes approximately one month from the assignment of questions to a successful written and oral defense. You will also take a seminar to guide you in developing your dissertation proposal. By the end of the spring semester or beginning of the summer, students are expected to have successfully defended their dissertation proposals and to spend the summer focused on dissertation research.

COMM-860 Seminar in Doctoral Teaching and Research (3) Creation of dissertation literature review and preparation for the comprehensive exam. Introduction to teaching philosophies and strategies, preparation for scholarly career in Communication Studies.

Approved elective courses (6)

Approved graduate statistics or research methods course (3)

COMM-861: Advanced Research & Project Development (3) Prepares students for advancing to candidacy by taking the comprehensive exam and preparing a dissertation proposal.

COMM-898: Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (6) May be taken by doctoral students completing coursework, exams or proposals in preparation for advancement to candidacy.

In the fall and spring semesters, you'll register for dissertation research credits. During the fall and spring semesters, you will also probably be applying and interviewing for jobs, drawing upon information from your first-year course, COMM 711 and on your mentors’ advice. By late spring, your dissertation committee expects to have about six weeks to read and respond to a dissertation draft and to read and respond to a revised version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply to the phd in communication program.

Applicants could be interested in tenure track, faculty positions in academia, or seeking careers at prestigious institutions in government, industry, and/or the nonprofit community.

How can the PhD program help strengthen my pedagogical skills?

In addition to the teaching seminars and teaching assistantships that are part of the regular doctoral curriculum, The Art of Teaching is a one-credit course offered each spring semester for PhD students who want to learn more about educational pedagogy. The course was originally designed by American University's former provost, Milton Greenberg.

Previously known as the Greenberg Seminars for Effective Teaching, this course complements the PhD academic experience, providing hands-on, practical introduction to professional development and classroom techniques. PhD students can participate at any time during their PhD program. There is no tuition fee for the course.

What are areas of faculty expertise?

Our program is focused on impactful research at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. Our faculty and students study how media messages and communication technologies shape, and are shaped by, social and governmental processes. Specific sites of research range from Internet governance to music and film culture to social and political organizing to journalism to new media and games. We study communication patterns and their meanings across and between societies on a global scale, including, every continent in addition to indigenous and stateless groups. We draw upon cultural production, critical communication, science and technology studies, law and society perspectives, and other theories, and we use both quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as policy analysis.

What kinds of positions do alumni have now?

Our alumni have found full time and tenure-track jobs at universities throughout the U.S. and around the world, as well as prestigious post-doctoral positions and non-profit and government posts.

What kinds of collaborations can I expect with faculty?

You are assigned a mentor when you first arrive, a selection that results from both your stated interests and faculty interest. This assignment can change by request. You can expect to work with your mentor and, potentially, other faculty on research resulting in joint publications and conference presentations. In your second year, you may assist a faculty member with teaching. Several recent alumni have continued to collaborate with SOC faculty and student colleagues after graduation, resulting in dozens of published research articles, book chapters, and policy papers.

What other opportunities do the school and university offer?

The PhD program offers several PhD Symposia throughout the year, offering informal presentations of completed work and work in progress by both students and faculty. The  Internet Governance Lab , a joint program in the School of Communication and School of International Service, offers a range of activities throughout the year, putting a spotlight on Internet policy. The Center for Media & Social Impact offers workshops, events, a biannual conference, and research projects for which you can apply as research assistant. The AU Game Center  provides a community of scholars and graduate students in numerous programs across the university engaged in the design, production, and study of games, including the cultural and social impact of the medium, with substantial opportunities for collaboration with faculty, staff, and students across multiple related fields and contexts. The Institute for Immersive Designs, Experiences, Applications, and Stories (Institute for IDEAS) offers paid fellowships and research projects for which you can apply as a research assistant, often collaborating with faculty at other institutions. The PhD programs in the School of Communication, School of International Service, and School of Public Affairs jointly host a day-long research conference featuring work in progress by their PhD students, in February. The university-wide Center for Teaching, Research and Learning (CTRL) provides tools and programs throughout the year to help faculty and PhD students with best practices in teaching, and hosts an annual conference on teaching in January. PhD students are welcome, at no cost. CTRL also offers training and access to research tools . Finally, each PhD student receives enough annual funding to attend at least one major scholarly conference or event, anywhere in the world.

What are examples of dissertations students have written?

Our students have explored a wide diversity of interests with rigorous research, including dissertations such as:

• Lucy Odigie, “Digital Margins: Digital Technology Use, Social Change and the Empowering Strategies of Domestic Workers of Color in Brooklyn, NY”
• Isabelle Zaugg, “Ethiopic: Coding for Linguistic Survival in the Face of Digital Extinction”
• Aras Cosuntuncel, “Networking Authoritarian Neoliberalism: Realigned Strategies of Information Control and Resistance in the Case of Turkey” Dorian Davis, “The Twitter Election? New Perspectives on Agenda-Building during the 2016 Campaign”
• Louisa Imperiale, “Democracy for Sale: A Critical Examination of the Political-Media Complex at work in Campaign Finance and Political Broadcast Regulation in U.S. Presidential Elections from 1976 to 2016”
• Fernanda Rosa, “Global Internet Interconnection Infrastructure: Materiality, Concealment and Surveillance in Contemporary Communication”
• Donte Newman, “Straddling the Fence: How White Facebook Users Express Ambivalence to Navigate the Context Collapse”
• Emily O’Connell, “Hybrid Systems and Hybrid Genres: Exploring U.S. Political Podcast Framing Tactics and Effects”

How many applicants are admitted each year?

Five people are selected each year to join the program, and there are usually about 20 people in the program at any one time.

Can I attend part-time?

The program is designed to be full-time.

Can I take courses outside of the School of Communication?

The SOC PhD program was designed as an interdisciplinary program. We encourage students to take full advantage of the wealth of resources and opportunities across the university, including taking courses and finding expertise in other departments, as well as courses at our partner universities around Washington, DC. Dissertation committees are required to include at least one member outside of the school.

Can I complete my PhD program in 3 years?

The program is designed to be completed in three years, and more than half of our PhD students accomplish their goal in doing so.

Still have questions? Send us an email: [email protected]

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Students are admitted to the PhD program after having completed an MA degree. Depending on the extent of students’ prior academic work in communication and their rate of progress, the degree can be achieved in three to four years.

According to Graduate School requirements, PhD students must enroll in residence (i.e., as a full-time student) for at least six semesters beyond the BA degree. Two semesters of residence credit may be allowed for an MA degree from another institution; however, at least four semesters of residence credit, two of which must be consecutive in one academic year, must be earned for work taken at CU-Boulder. One semester’s residency is earned by registering as a full-time student during the fall or spring semesters, or during two summer semesters.

Full-time PhD students must carry one of the following semester course loads: a minimum of 5 credit hours of graduate-level course work before passing the comprehensive examination, or a minimum of 5 dissertation hours after passing the comprehensive examination. PhD students are expected to complete all degree requirements within six years from the semester in which they are admitted and begin coursework in the doctoral program.

View program requirements and courses »

View all COMM courses » Graduate classes begin at COMM 5000.

• Other Course Requirements Information
• Formal Advising and PhD Committee Composition
• Identity Statement and PhD Plan of Study Document
• Research Expectations
• Admission to PhD Degree Candidacy
• Comprehensive Examination
• Registering for Dissertation Hours
• Graduate Contact Information

A maximum of 12 transfer credits  from prior graduate course work at another institution can be applied to the PhD program if those courses are included in the student’s approved PhD Plan of Study document. Any graduate courses completed at CU-Boulder (including courses completed for the master’s in communication) can be applied to the PhD program if they are included in the student’s approved PhD Plan of Study document. When evaluating prior coursework for transfer and substitution credit, committees typically consider the following criteria: recency (generally, coursework older than five years is not eligible), course content (substance and extent of duplication of courses offered at CU-Boulder) and quality of the institution and instructor (e.g., graduate faculty status). Depending on the focus and relevance of prior coursework to students’ primary or secondary areas of PhD specialization, committees may determine that the PhD Plan of Study document should include more than 54 hours of coursework.

A maximum of 9 independent study and/or internship credit hours combined  can be counted toward the PhD degree; however, based on justification, committees may approve a maximum of 18 credit hours.

To achieve and remain in good academic standing, students must satisfy Graduate School residence requirements, make appropriate progress toward completing what is indicated on their PhD Plan of Study document, maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 and resolve any outstanding incompletes in a timely fashion. Courses in which a grade of C+ or lower is received are not counted toward the PhD degree.  Funded students who are taking coursework must complete at least 18 credit hours of courses per year (typically, 9 credit hours per semester) to remain in good academic standing. No more than 15 credit hours of courses can be taken during any semester  (with students financially responsible for 3 of those credit hours).

All new PhD students are assigned by the DGS to a temporary advisor. Students should meet regularly with that temporary advisor during their first semester to discuss matters such as selecting a permanent advisor, committee members and courses for the next semester.

Students should select a permanent advisor (co-advisors are permitted) on the basis of shared professional interests and compatibility and, in consultation with the permanent advisor, construct a comprehensive examination committee early in their second semester in residence.

Students work with their advisor to create an identity statement and PhD Plan of Study document (see below), which is approved by their comprehensive examination committee, with a signed copy of that document (by the student, advisor and DGS; see guidelines for constructing that document) submitted to the graduate program assistant.

PhD comprehensive examination committees contain  a minimum of five members . Prior to and during the examination period, typically, the five members consist of four department graduate faculty (including the advisor), with an additional department graduate faculty member serving as a “reader” (who typically does not write questions but reads all answers). Students may include an “outside” member (someone from another CU-Boulder department or from a communication department or another department at another institution) as part of their examination committee (including serving as the reader). To successfully complete the comprehensive examination, students must receive affirmative votes from a majority of committee members. Following a successful oral defense, the reader (if from the communication department) usually is replaced by a faculty member from another academic department ( there must be at least one member from another academic department ). At that point, the comprehensive examination committee is renamed as the “dissertation committee.”

A student’s advisor and comprehensive examination and/or dissertation committee composition may change over time (e.g., if the student’s interests change).

The  Identity Statement  is a short description (usually 2–3 pages; see below) of students’ academic and professional background, and their goals for the PhD program and beyond. The  PhD Plan of Study  document (usually 3–5 pages; see below and guidelines for constructing that form) shows how the PhD program is designed to achieve goals articulated in the  Identity Statement , describing in detail areas to be pursued in the program, how all degree requirements will be satisfied, courses to be taken at CU-Boulder or transferred from an MA program, independent studies, internships, research projects, teaching experiences and other relevant activities completed or planned.

The  Identity Statement  and  PhD Plan of Study  are expected to evolve over the course of the PhD program. An initial version of the statement and plan is prepared for PhD students’ first committee meeting (typically, in the second semester of the program). That initial version undoubtedly will be tentative in some respects. For example, it may list alternative courses or types of courses to be taken, depending on known availability in future semesters.The committee approves the proposed  PhD Plan of Study  document (or any revised plan that results from that meeting) and a signed copy of that document (without the  Identity Statement ; see guidelines for constructing that document), signed by the student and by the advisor (with the date of the committee meeting at which the document was approved) and signed by the DGS, is given to the graduate program assistant. Updated versions of the  Identity Statement  and the  PhD Plan of Study  document are prepared as needed, with major changes (e.g., a shift to a different specialization area) presented to the committee for approval and the revised document signed (by the student, advisor and the DGS) and submitted to the graduate program assistant.

When the committee meets to plan the comprehensive examination, students’  Identity Statement  and  PhD Plan of Study  document (updated to reflect courses and research projects actually completed, etc.) are the bases for designing and evaluating examination questions.

Students should address the following things in the order noted in their  Identity Statement  and  PhD Plan of Study  document:

Identity Statement : Academic and professional background, professional goals, academic and research interests, methodological expertise and teaching philosophy

PhD Plan of Study Document :

Identification Information: Names of student, advisor and committee members

Transfer Credits Requested (a maximum of 12 credit hours)

Course work by Area (course work must equal at least 54 credit hours, with at least 30 of those credit hours being communication courses)

Broad-Based Communication Background (must include COMM 6010 and COMM 5210, or equivalents)

Primary Area of Specialization

Secondary Area of Specialization

Methodological Expertise (must include two of the following courses or their equivalent: COMM 5310, COMM 6020 and COMM 6030

Course work by Chronological Order

Teaching Experiences

Research Projects (at least two must be completed; see research expectations below)

Signatures and Dates: The PhD Plan of Study document is signed by the student and the advisor, using the date of the committee meeting at which that document was approved; it then is signed and dated by the DGS.

PhD students are expected to be involved regularly in research projects (which often transcend, but also can be based on, course work assignments), conducted independently or with faculty members and/or other graduate students. Students should take the initiative to bring about this involvement by meeting with faculty members to discuss common research interests.

Prior to taking the comprehensive examination, PhD students are expected to have completed  two research projects  of sufficient scholarly quality that they have been selected for conference presentation or publication. Those projects, ideally, are supervised by different faculty members.

To achieve the status of PhD candidate, students must:

Fulfill their  Plan of Study  document.

Receive final grades for all course work, with no outstanding incompletes.

Meet the research expectations.

Demonstrate other appropriate professional competencies (e.g., teaching, training and development).

Successfully complete the comprehensive examination.

The PhD comprehensive examination assesses students’ areas of scholarly expertise. Students usually take a reduced load of courses (3–6 credit hours) and sign up for 3–10 hours of dissertation credit the semester that they take the examination. Students are expected to complete the comprehensive examination  during  the semester for which they initially register for those dissertation credit hours. Students must be registered (pass–fail or for credit) on the CU-Boulder campus as regular degree-seeking students when they pass the comprehensive examination. Students must resolve any outstanding incompletes prior to taking the comprehensive examination.

Comprehensive Examination Procedure:

Committee members, in consultation with the PhD student, design written examination questions, totaling 15–16 hours, to assess the student’s knowledge and competence. In the case of previous demonstrations of competence over and above the research expectations, such as numerous publications, the committee may decrease the examination to a minimum of 12 hours. Students may write their examination answers entirely in-house (using no books or notes) or, with the committee’s approval, they may complete up to 50% of those answers at home (using books and notes). Take-home portions of the comprehensive examination must be completed within a two-week period. The entire graduate faculty must approve exceptions to these rules.

Under normal circumstances, students taking the PhD comprehensive examination in-house are expected to compose their answers on a dedicated computer provided by the department that is formatted in a manner consistent with the department’s policy that graduate students not use outside material when writing in-house examination answers. Students should reserve, through the graduate program assistant, a laptop for the dates that they are scheduled to write; that reservation should be made as soon as the comprehensive examination writing dates have been established. In cases where students have documented need for special accommodation relevant to this policy, such as writing their examination answers by hand or using their own laptop (e.g., a Mac), they must present their specific need in a timely fashion to their committee, which makes the final determination of whether and how that need will be accommodated.

The committee orally examines students within two weeks of completing the written PhD comprehensive examination. Students are permitted to have notes for the oral portion of the examination.

Committees determine if and when students have passed the PhD comprehensive examination and can move onto the dissertation proposal. Should the comprehensive examination performance be judged as unsatisfactory (either in whole or in part by more than one committee member), students may retake relevant portions of it; prior to retaking the examination, students may be asked to complete additional coursework or projects. Students retaking the comprehensive examination must repeat the oral defense.

The comprehensive examination can be retaken only once; students who fail it a second time (as judged by more than one committee member) are dismissed from the PhD program.

The Graduate School permits PhD students to begin registering for dissertation hours during the semester that they take the PhD comprehensive examination, but no more than 10 dissertation hours may be taken before completion of that examination. Students must continue to register for dissertation hours, taking no more than 10 hours per semester, for a total of 30 hours. A student who fails to register continuously (as a full-time student, meaning five dissertation hours in the fall and spring semesters of each year, unless the person is offsite, which then means three hours per semester) after passing the comprehensive examination must retake and pass the examination, to regain status as a student in good standing in the Graduate School. The department may require that the student validate coursework more than five years old. At its discretion, the department may petition the Dean of the Graduate School for a time limit for completion of all degree requirements of up to one year after the retaking of the comprehensive examination. The department must petition to Dean of the Graduate School to waive the requirement to retake the comprehensive examination.

PhD Students Taking Only Dissertation Hours PhD students who are taking only dissertation hours must complete each semester (before the semester’s drop/add deadline) with their advisor a  contract  that specifies what will be completed that semester with regard to the dissertation (see PhD Dissertation Hours Contract). That contract is signed by the student (advisee), advisor and the DGS and is submitted to the graduate program assistant.

At the end of each semester, advisors evaluate advisees’ completion of the contract as being “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory.” Two unsatisfactory evaluations result in an automatic formal review of students to decide their continuance in the PhD program.

Dissertation

Students first prepare and present a written proposal of their research project for approval by their dissertation committee,  comprised of at least five persons, three of whom must be CU-Boulder graduate faculty, plus another member from another academic discipline . Although the dissertation proposal varies based on the goals of the project and research methods employed, typically, the document ranges from 30 to 70 pages and it includes an introduction to the topic and its significance; a review of literature; research problem(s), issue(s) or question(s) being addressed; methods of gathering and analyzing data; and sequence and content of chapters. Committees meet with students to review the proposal, provide advice and approve the research project. The project should be designed realistically such that it can be completed after admission to candidacy and during students’ final planned year in residence. Some students, in consultation with their advisor and committee, may commence dissertation work (e.g., data collection) prior to that period.

PhD students are expected to make a presentation on their proposed dissertation project in a department colloquium or research occasion. Presentations are to be given as soon as possible following a successful proposal committee meeting.

The faculty does  not  encourage PhD students to leave the program “ABD” (“all-but-dissertation”).

After the dissertation has been read by committee members, an oral defense of it is conducted in conformity with CU-Boulder’s Graduate School’s rules (e.g., students must notify the Graduate School of their oral defense at least two weeks before their scheduled defense date, and the defense must be scheduled no later than the posted deadline for the semester in which the degree is to be conferred).

More than one dissenting voice disqualifies students in the oral defense of the dissertation. Students who fail the defense may attempt it once more after a period of time that is determined by the committee. Students who fail the defense a second time are dismissed from the PhD program.

The final approved dissertation that is submitted must conform to the Graduate School’s formatting rules.

See the  Graduate Program Handbook  for more information.

For additional information on the Graduate Program, contact:

Professor Leah Sprain  Associate Chair of Graduate Studies Department of Communication University of Colorado Boulder [email protected] 303-492-3757

Contact the Department of Communication

Communication C.A.S.E. University of Colorado Boulder UCB 200  Boulder, CO 80309-0200 

 303-492-7306   303-492-8411 (fax)

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Ph.D. in Strategic Communication Programs

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Doctorate in Strategic Communication Degrees

Take your career to the next level with a Ph.D. in communication from Liberty University.  Achieve your degree at your own pace through our online program

• Ph.D. in Communication – Online
• Ph.D. in Strategic Media – Online

Homepage – Ph.D. in Strategic Communication

Launched in Fall of 2019, the Strategic Communication Ph.D. is a cutting-edge program that addresses the current and growing needs of today’s world in health, crisis and risk communication.

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PhD in Strategic Communication Management

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The doctoral study programme Strategic Communication Management is an interdisciplinary study, focusing on new strategic managerial values (personal, intercultural, economic, political, cultural, artistic, religious, health-related, scientific, global, regional, national, and local), leadership competences, soft skills and communication.

Over the course of six academic quarters, the PhD programme focuses on theoretical and methodological approaches to the Humanities and a variety of social approaches to the field of communication. Moreover, strategic managerial skills and profound knowledge of communication management lies at the heart of this particular PhD programme.

Degree Doctor of Science in Communication Management

Duration of programme 6 semesters

ECTS 180 ECTS credits

Language English

Type Online, part-time

Programme start October 2021

Tuition fees

Nowadays, organisations of all kinds are expected to be both rhetorically and aesthetically convincing, and to formulate strategic visions and goals convincingly. Members are also supposed to be integrated with shared values and symbols of identification – often across physical and cultural distances. The aim is to be able to predict the attitudes and demands of the growing number of shareholders, and then manage the relationship across various media.

In other words, organisations are expected to be able to organise and manage messages to and from a variety of recipients across formal organisational boundaries. As a result, communication has become a strategic management concern that includes leadership and human resources as well as marketing, public relations, and advertising.

Occupational Areas

A PhD allows you to take the next step in your career. A PhD is a prerequisite for a leadership position in many areas. It also provides the opportunity to devote a lot of time to a topic and become a real expert in this field.

After successful completion of the programme, you will be able to work in the following areas and many more:

• Public relations
• Leading media, economic and political campaigns
• Managing crisis communication
• Corporate communication
• Press office – corporations and political groups
• Media relations
• Communicology research
• Political marketing
• Communicology specialists for work in institutes and higher education institutions (researchers)
• PR agencies – management
• Strategic and communication counselling
• Communication analysis of competition (benchmarking and SWOT analysis)
• Strategic communication in tourism, etc.

Details on the programme schedule

Structured doctorate.

In addition to an individual doctorate, which is still the most frequent form of acquiring a PhD in Germany, the “structured doctorate” has become firmly established in recent years. The “structured” doctorate is distinguished from the “individual doctorate” by some special formal features, but it primarily strengthens the professional and social integration of the doctoral students compared to an individual doctorate. The doctorate programme covers a standard period of 3 years, including completion of the dissertation and completion of the oral doctoral examination. 180 ECTS credits must be earned.

Programme requirements

The following must be completed in the course of doctoral studies:

• At the end of the first academic year, the candidate has to submit a completed dissertation concept of about 25 pages (6 ECTS) to the examination secretariat. The dissertation concept is assessed as passed or not passed by both supervisors. Exceeding the deadline for submission will result in the loss of admission to the doctorate programme, unless the doctoral candidate is not responsible for exceeding the deadline.
• In the course of the doctorate programme, doctoral seminars and case studies are to be attended in which oral presentations are to be held

Participation in the curriculum

The choice of programme and admission to a programme usually entails a thematic focus. Doctoral students in a programme therefore not only regularly attend the specialist colloquium of their supervisor, but can also benefit from a generous range of additional courses that are specially tailored to the programme’s goals and the needs of its doctoral students. By participating in courses and workshops, both within the framework of the degree and across programmes, you will benefit from the opportunity to discuss and network.

Supervision

Supervision and mentoring in the programmes is distributed among several persons (at least two, often three) who advise on dissertations in a team. A supervision agreement signed by all supervisors, the doctoral student and the spokesperson of the programme sets minimum standards and formulates the expectations of both parties. Naturally, the aim of these agreements is not to further formalise the doctorate in legal terms, but to increase the binding nature of agreements and advisory meetings and to improve the overall supervision.

Difficulties that repeatedly arise while working on the dissertation and which easily impair progress for weeks can be discussed and solved quickly and simply with other doctoral students. And since there usually is a programme coordinator, you also have a contact person for questions and problems that are not directly related to your dissertation.

Admission requirements

• Completion of a first professional degree in a subject closely related to the curriculum offered and that corresponds to the acquisition of at least 120 ECTS credits (Diploma / Master's degree or an equivalent domestic or foreign degree).
• One of the most important admission requirements for the doctorate is the sponsorship of one of the research professors in programme, in which he or she agrees to supervise the candidate’s planned doctoral project. Applicants should therefore familiarise themselves with the research areas of the faculty members and contact potential supervisors before applying for admission. This contact and the preliminary agreement should be indicated in the research project’s description. This precondition is intended to ensure that no doctoral student is left without a supervisor after enrolling in the programme. The commitment is provisional and the supervisors of the thesis may be changed after the start of the programme if all parties involved agree. This is especially the case if the project should be redefined later on.
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Graduate Programs

Ph.D. Mass Communications

The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications offers advanced study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in mass communications. The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates for entry into college and university teaching and research and for a variety of communications-related professions.

Program Preparation

The program integrates preparation in teaching and research as complementary endeavors. Doctoral students begin the program in the fall semester and, during the first year, complete two semesters of the doctoral proseminar, colloquium, and typically at least one course in communications research methodology. By the end of the first year, doctoral students must form a committee of faculty members to guide their subsequent course of study. The remainder of the Ph.D. program is determined, in close consultation with the student, by his/her doctoral committee who is responsible for the formal approval of the proposed program.

2025 Graduate Scheme | Strategic Communications

🔍 united kingdom, england, london.

FTI Consulting Strategic Communications Graduate Programme 2024

•    Are you passionate about solving problems and looking for a challenge in your career?  •    Do you have strong communication and writing skills that you wish to apply in a dynamic team environment?  •    Are you personable and want to form relationships that will last for a lifetime?

At FTI Consulting, we’re looking for future experts with impact to join our ever-growing award winning Strategic Communications business. We invest in our graduates’ career development from day one, providing top notch training and enabling access to a broad network of professionals to work with and learn from. We are a meritocratic organisation. We prioritise diversity of thought and welcome unique viewpoints that challenge us to think differently, and creatively. Our professionals come from a variety of backgrounds, with diverse capabilities and experience, but they all share our values and commitment to great work, striving for excellence in everything they do. We are passionate about recruiting, developing, and training the best candidates. Whatever your university or degree discipline, if you are a motivated individual with the skills and desire to pursue a career in strategic communications and public relations, we encourage you to apply!

About FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications practice  The Strategic Communications segment within FTI Consulting designs, develops and executes communications strategies for clients managing financial, regulatory, and reputational challenges. For more than 35 years, we have served as trusted advisers to management teams and Boards of Directors seeking to seize opportunities, manage crises, navigate market disruptions, and preserve their right to operate. We help businesses articulate their brand and competitive position, and work with them to share their corporate messages most effectively with key stakeholders – whether these are investors, policy makers, employees or consumers, through both traditional and digital PR channels.  With over 300+ colleagues across the London office, we sit in specialist teams or in cross-sector practices. Our sector teams: •    Financial services  •    Retail and consumer •    Natural resources and energy •    Real estate and property  •    Industrials •    Technology media and telecoms •    Life sciences and healthcare

Our cross-sector practices include: •    Public affairs •    People and transformation  •    Crisis preparedness and management  •    Special situations •    Digital and Insights •    Litigation •    International campaigns and issues management Our clients range from start-ups to multinational companies; from household names to cutting edge businesses – and everything in between. As each sector team has an average of 20 colleagues, our employees enjoy the advantages of working at a global, multi-disciplinary firm, while benefitting from the tight-knit culture of specialised teams.

About the Graduate Scheme  Our London-based graduate programme will provide you with the opportunity to rotate through three of our Strategic Communications teams, spending three months in each. You will be immersed in a fast-paced learning environment, where your development will be supported as much by an extensive structured training programme as by “on-the-job” training from colleagues and senior members of your teams. Through these rotations, you will have the chance to gain exposure to an incredibly diverse roster of clients, from fast-growing start-ups and scale-ups to FTSE 100 industry leaders and global corporations. Whether it’s communicating clients’ financial results, developing and protecting a corporate reputation, implementing targeted stakeholder engagement programmes or designing bespoke digital strategies, you will have an opportunity to work with our experts across a variety of different sectors and client briefs. The rotations also provide the opportunity to build relationships with colleagues of all levels around our business and offer a unique insight into the many possible career paths that exist within the Strategic Communications practice.

How You’ll Grow An extensive formal training programme covers everything from press release writing to pitching a story to a journalist to interpreting a client’s balance sheet. Our unique structure will also provide you with constant exposure to senior colleagues and client representatives from day one. Throughout the scheme, you will be supported by your performance coach, a buddy in each of your rotation teams and a mentor who can support and guide you through your career goals and development, in addition to our Human Resources team. As such, you will have a strong network around you dedicated to furthering your career development. As you come towards the end of your third rotation placement your preferences regarding the team you would like to join in a permanent role will be considered by the senior management and our Human Resources team, and you will be assigned to a permanent role within one of our teams.  At FTI Consulting, we work hard to create an inclusive and high-performing culture in which our professionals can grow their careers and achieve their full potential, while also ensuring that we cultivate a fast-paced, supportive, and dynamic learning environment. As such, there are regular personal development training sessions, networking events and other social activities to get involved in. There are also groups dedicated to embracing, cultivating, and maintaining the diverse and inclusive nature of our team, including our Race, Identity, Social Equity (RISE) network, women’s initiative (FTI WIN), our Pride network, neurodiversity network and Parents network.

What You’ll Do Your typical day might include the following: •    Supporting and engaging with clients on a day-to-day basis •    Supporting colleagues on new business proposals •    Summary and analytical tasks, gauging audience and communications impact, for example compiling coverage reports or conducting media and digital landscape analysis •    Drafting press releases and other written communication documents •    Building relationships and engaging in frequent contact with journalists and sell-side analysts, to sell in press releases or seek feedback on a client strategy •    Preparing briefing notes for our clients  •    Taking part in learning and development sessions with our experts •    Undertaking a variety of research tasks for existing clients •    Supporting clients at events

What you will need to succeed Required qualifications: •    A desire to work in communications and PR •    A 2:1 degree (or equivalent) obtained/expected at any university or degree discipline •    A strong work ethic and ‘can do’ attitude •    Excellent writing, grammar and numeracy skills (these will be tested as part of the interview process) •    A proven interest in working in communications through relevant work experience, examples of which may include: running a university society, writing for a website or magazine, presenting a radio show or interning at a communications agency •    Outstanding communication skills – in person, in writing and on the phone •    Strong detail orientation, time management and self-organisation •    An ability to work individually and as part of a team •    Creative flair and the ability to think outside the box •    Proactivity, and confidence to volunteer for a task without being asked •    A flexible approach to work, particularly in pressurised situations, and being able to think on your feet •    An ability to grasp and succinctly summarise complex issues •    An ability to network and build contacts

Please note: this is NOT a management consulting, strategy consulting or marketing role.

How to apply •    Candidates are required to submit a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume which clearly shows how you meet the required qualifications outlined above •    If your CV or resume meets our criteria, you will then be asked to make a video submission, answering a number of questions – you will have 48 hours to complete this task, once received

Key dates •    Applications open: 2 September 2024 •    Closing date for applications:17 October 2024 •    Successful candidates from the application and video questions will be asked to participate in a virtual interview in mid-November 2024  •    Assessment centres will be held in w/c 2 December and 9 December 2024 •    Successful candidates will be contacted following assessment centres for a September 2025 start date

Our Benefits  Our goal is to support the well–being of you and your families—physically, emotionally, and financially. We offer market competitive benefits (including pension), supplemented by 15 flexible benefits, to meet your needs. These include health, lifestyle and family-friendly options. We also offer professional development programmes, wellness, recognition, community volunteering initiatives, and flexible/hybrid working arrangements.

About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping clients with their most significant opportunities and challenges. With more than 8,000 employees located in 33 countries and territories, our broad and diverse bench of award–winning experts advise their clients when they are facing their most significant opportunities and challenges. At FTI Consulting, we embrace, cultivate and maintain a culture of diversity, inclusion & belonging, which are fundamental components to our core values. FTI Consulting is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and has been recognised as one of the World’s Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com/ and connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn. FTI Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

• Job Family/Level: Op Level 1 - Consultant
• Citizenship Status Accepted: Not Applicable

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Strategic Communication, MA

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Communication, Content Marketing, Content Strategy, Media Relations, Public Engagement, Public Relations, Social media, Sports Public Relations, Strategic, media, video

Anyone can create content, but few can tell captivating stories that strategically connect messages to key audiences. Learn how to harness digital media techniques, public relations, data and content strategy to create communication campaigns that make a difference.

Students in the MA program in strategic communication gain the media skills, techniques, critical thinking skills and leadership capacity to advance careers across media and communication in agencies, sports, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Students develop the ability to strategically address communication challenges through courses in strategy development, research methods, content creation, crisis communication, ethics, campaign planning and others; courses in communication management, leadership, project management and finance help learners become leaders.

Students begin their experience by developing foundations in communication history, theory and ethics. An emphasis on content creation prepares students to produce both traditional public relations campaigns, persuasive writing and media relations plans, as well as innovative strategic content including client-video storytelling and digital content hubs. Then, via the school's teaching hospital model, students receive immersive, hands-on training in advanced tools, progressive techniques, and real client work across a faculty-led, student-run agency.

• College/school: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
• Location: Downtown Phoenix
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

30 credit hours including the required capstone course (MCO 570)

Required Core (18 credit hours) MCO 502 Journalism Skills (8) MCO 504 Cronkite Master's Seminar (1) MCO 506 Media Law for Strategic Communication (3) MCO 519 Strategic Communications Leadership and Ethics (3) MCO 525 21st Century Media Organization and Entrepreneurship (3)

Other Requirements (3 credit hours) MCO 537 Strategic Communications Writing (3) or MCO 561 Defining the Digital Audience (3)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) MCO 570 Master of Mass Communication Capstone (3)

Additional Curriculum Information Elective courses should be selected in consultation with the program advisor; some courses require department approval.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants are required to submit:

• graduate admissions application and application fee
• official transcripts
• three letters of recommendation
• professional resume
• personal statement
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants must achieve a score of 100 or better on the TOEFL iBT, taken in a testing center. Similar English proficiency scores from other exams may be considered. ASU Global Launch does not satisfy this requirement.

Applicants should provide a 300- to 500-word statement describing their interest in strategic communication, their career goals, and how previous work and academic experience have prepared the student for success.

Students may use elective course slots to participate in applicable Global Education experiences and international internships. Students also may work with international clients at the capstone level.

Content creation and campaign strategy skills are in high demand across the media industries. Many strategic communicators pursue careers in agency or corporate environments, while others leverage their skills in work with multiple clients or as media entrepreneurs.

Graduates possess skills that are transferable across communications fields and organizations, including:

• athletic teams
• colleges and universities
• communication agencies
• government agencies and political groups
• nonprofit organizations
• public relations firms
• retail and hospitality brands

Graduates can apply their advanced media skills to a variety of roles, including:

• brand storytellers
• community engagement specialists
• content creators
• digital strategists
• media executives
• media relations specialists
• PR professionals
• strategic communications leaders

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm | CRONK 302 [email protected] 602-496-5555 Admission deadlines

--> --> --> --> --> One Main Street Houston, TX 77002 713-221-8000 -->
	University of Houston Downtown
	Sep 14, 2024   2022-2023 GRADUATE CATALOG     2022-2023 GRADUATE CATALOG [ARCHIVED CATALOG] | Darius Benton, PhD , Graduate Director S1081, 713-221-5857, [email protected] The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (MASC) is a 30-credit hour, 100% online program that equips students with the cutting-edge strategic communication skills, research knowledge, technology competencies, and theories needed to create effective community engagement and messaging with culturally, ethnically, and racially diverse public audiences and stakeholders.  With a special emphasis on community engagement, the MASC program promotes community advancement through collaboration and relationship-building by developing students’ abilities to engage diverse communities in organizational, public, corporate, and interpersonal contexts. In recent years, community engagement has become more integral to strategic communication as a way of building credibility with the public, creating more authentic experiences, and facilitating inclusive decision-making with various constituents. The program will build on students’ strengths and prepare them to be advocates in their communities by focusing on several major strategic communication areas: (1) strategic public engagement, (2) stakeholder management and conflict resolution, and (3) crisis communication. The MASC program prepares students to succeed in a range of jobs, including : social and community service managers city managers community engagement coordinators and managers strategic partnership coordinators communication directors/specialists emergency management directors public and community affairs specialists public engagement specialists training and development managers Program Learning Outcomes Graduates who earn a MA in Strategic Communication will be able to: Analyze and critique communication issues, concepts, and theories as they apply to community engagement Develop research analyzing emergent communication practices in local and global community engagement contexts Design tailored responses to community engagement issues by using appropriate technology Create robust community engagement strategies with stakeholders in groups and teams Admissions Criteria                         The Admissions Committee will consider several factors when determining admission eligibility into the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication program, including the candidate’s: Experience and interest in the field Proven academic ability Demonstration of skills necessary to complete the program successfully Ability to contribute to the field of strategic communication Applicants to the program must meet the following criteria: Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university. A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in prior undergraduate and graduate coursework. (Applicants who do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement may be granted conditional admission when the combined strength of their application and supporting documents provides compelling evidence that they will be successful in the program). Proficiency in English (if a graduate of a university in which English is not the native language) provided by an adequate TOEFL (IBT score of 81) or IELTS (6.5) score. Admissions Materials Applicants must complete and submit all of the following items in order to be considered for admission: Resumes, personal statements, and writing samples can be uploaded through the myUHD portal, emailed to [email protected], or mailed to: Office of Admissions - Graduate Admissions University of Houston-Downtown One Main Street, Suite GSB 308 Houston, TX 77002-1001 Submit an application through the www.goapplytexas.org . Pay the $35 application fee. Request/submit to the email or mailing address above official transcripts from the institution where applicant received a bachelor’s degree as well as any graduate schools attended. (Community college coursework will not be considered in the admission process and need not be submitted). Why do you want to study strategic communication? What topics or issues in the field might you want to study further and why? What qualifies you to embark upon this field of study? What experience do you have in this field? How do you plan to use your degree? Have two recommendations sent directly from personal and/or professional contacts to the email or mailing address provided above. Suggested recommenders are individuals with knowledge of your work and who are able to address your academic potential. This can include work supervisors and former professors. Provide TOEFL/IELTS scores as outlined above (if a graduate of a university in which English is not the native language). Admissions Process Once an application is complete, the Admissions Committee will evaluate candidates using a matrix based on required application materials to determine if the applicant will be “admitted,” “conditionally admitted,” or “denied admission” to the program. Applicants may be considered for conditional admission in cases in which candidate materials do not meet established program criteria. The committee may also ask for further information from the candidate before making a final admission decision. The Program Director or the Assistant Director of Graduate Studies will notify prospective students, in writing (via email), of the committee’s decision. This written notification will contain pertinent information and next steps for students, as applicable. Specifically, for conditionally admitted students this written notification will detail the stipulations of the “conditional” status and the necessary steps/actions required to receive full admission to the program. Admissions Appeals Admissions decisions may be appealed through the process found in the CHSS Graduate Student Handbook linked on this page . Degree Requirements Required courses. COMM 5314 - Strategic Communication Research Methods COMM 5320 - Strategic Communication Theory and Practice COMM 6098 - Graduate Portfolio Elective Courses COMM 5302 - Health Messaging COMM 5307 - Strategic Communication and Engagement in Cross-cultural Teams COMM 5315 - Strategic Team Leadership COMM 5318 - Community Engagement through Public Deliberation COMM 5319 - Strategic Conflict Communication COMM 5325 - Rhetoric & Public Address COMM 5347 - Strategic Community Engagement COMM 6306 - Crisis and Emergency Communication COMM 6313 - Leading Communities through Strategic Change COMM 6320 - Communication Technology and Society COMM 6348 - Strategic Public Affairs COMM 6380 - Internship in Strategic Communication COMM 6390 - Master’s Research Project Students can take up to 6 credit hours of electives from other degree programs with the graduate coordinator’s approval. Some potential courses may include, but are not limited to, the following: BUS 6333 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution ENG 6316 - Multicultural Rhetorics ENG 5317 - Rhetorical Theory and Criticism HUM 6301 - Principles of Nonprofit Marketing POLS 6306 - Government Lobbying and Advocacy POLS 6310 - Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations POLS 6317 - Ethical Issues in Public Administration TCOM 6303 - Public Relations and Media TCOM 6310 - Intercultural and World Communication TCOM 6312 - Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Communication TCOM 6322 - Instructional Design TCOM 6323 - Communications and Technology New Part-Time Hybrid M.S. Available Strategic communication. We develop the next generation of leaders in the global communication field.  Succeeding in a 24/7 communications world. Columbia University's Master of Science in Strategic Communication is designed to respond to the urgent need for strategic perspectives, critical thinking, and exceptional communication skills at all levels of the workplace and across all types of organizations.  Taught by distinguished academic faculty and leading practitioners in the field, our offerings provide students with an educational experience that is immediately applicable in the workplace. Upcoming Events Strategies for combating political misinformation: the 2024 elections. 6:00 pm EDT Public Event M.S. in Strategic Communication Information Session: Full-Time Path 12:00 pm EDT Online Info Session M.S. in Strategic Communication Information Session: Executive and Part-Time Paths Application timeline. Now accepting applications. Learn more about application deadlines. Information Sessions Find out about upcoming information sessions and other events. Sign Up for Updates Stay in the know with updates sent straight to your inbox. Program Paths Include: Master of science in strategic communication: executive path. For experienced (6+ years) communication leaders who wish to enhance their skills and strategic counsel expertise. Students are typically employed full-time while earning this accelerated degree. Coursework is completed in just 16 months, through a combination of primarily online instruction and on-campus intensives twice per semester. Master of Science in Strategic Communication: Full-Time Path For early-career communication professionals and career-changers. Students attend courses on Columbia’s New York City campus. The program can be completed in 12 months (three consecutive semesters) or 16 months. (This is the only option for international students requiring a student visa.) Master of Science in Strategic Communication: Part-Time Path For working professionals looking for flexibility in their course load. This option allows students to earn the degree in as little as 24 months or up to three years. Classes are primarily online with one on-campus weekend intensive at the start of each of the first two semesters. Program Options Program Option Required Experience Course Formats Time Commitment 6+ years of experience as a communication leader Combination of on-campus and online instruction Study while employed; can be based in or outside greater NYC area 16 months, part-time Early-career communication professionals or career-changers Must be based in greater NYC area 12 or 16 months, full-time Individuals employed full-time or experienced communications professionals Combination of on-campus and online instruction Study while employed; can be based in or outside greater NYC area Up to 3 years, part-time Why You Should Apply to Columbia's Strategic Communication Program Extraordinary faculty with a passion for teaching , who will help you explore the latest communication theories and practical applications to advance your career. A hands-on, interactive, small-class environment in which everyone can learn and thrive. Lifelong friendships and connections with your cohort and highly engaged faculty, staff, and alumni. Featured Faculty, Students & Alumni “one of the most significant career journeys i’ve had.” q&a: bennie johnson, ceo of the american marketing association, reflects on his career and shares advice ten years after sps. alumni “all i can say is stay tuned” q&a: columbia hbcu alumnus and screenwriter jalen young on his short film that’s streaming on fox soul and other platforms. alumni where are they now three grads from the executive m.s. in strategic communications program tell how columbia helped shape their careers view all program news, decoding political communications: insights on the 2024 election cycle strategic communication lecturer andrew whitehouse discusses evolving campaign tactics in the current presidential election. lessons from studying in new york city: culture, communication, and self-advocacy katie hughes, a current student in the m.s. in strategic communication program, shares how her experiences have changed her communication style. faculty a strategic communication lecturer's journey from his columbia roots to the navy, white house, and wall street khalid azim speaks about his personal connections to columbia and the power of education. more news application process, curriculum preview, meet the faculty, from the blog, lessons from studying in new york city: culture, communication, and self-advocacy katie hughes, a current student in the m.s. in strategic communication program, shares how her experiences have changed her communication style. faculty celebrating pride month in the face of continuing threats to lgbtqi+ rights elizabeth reis, a bioethics lecturer who teaches gender, sex, and bioethics, writes about how transgender and intersex rights are being restricted in the u.s. new generations entering the workforce face a clash of communication styles as expectations for workplace behavior change, many organizations are seeking more positive ways to communicate with a new generation of employees. view all connect with us. Learn more about Strategic Communication at Columbia University School of Professional Studies, or contact the program admissions counselor. Study with Us As admissions to our program is highly competitive, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Learn more about the application process, deadlines, and requirements. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Request Information Business Analytics Entrepreneurship Supply Chain Management On-campus MBA Degree On-Campus Business MS Degrees Communications Communications Management On-campus Communications Degrees Computer Science Computer Engineering Cybersecurity On-campus Engineering Degrees Applied Data Science Information Systems Executive Program Library Information Science LIS: School Media Advanced Certificates On-campus Information Science Degrees Executive MPA On-campus Public Administration Degrees How to Become a Social Worker Part-time Benefits MSW Advanced Standing On-campus Social Work Degrees Syracuse University / Communications Degrees / Communications / Communications Specializations / Strategic Communications Strategic Communications Specialization Strategic Communications Specialization Strategic Communications Specialization No gmat required to apply no gmat required to apply, request information. Help us get to know you better by filling out the brief form below. A member of our community will be in touch soon to connect and we will email you with information about the program. Combine Advertising and PR Skills Creating a strong brand identity is key to achieving a company’s marketing or public relations goals. While there are many approaches to crafting consistent and compelling messaging, strategic communications help to establish cohesion across media initiatives, press and internal communication programs. As a student in the Strategic Communications specialization, you will explore the core pillars of advertising and PR, learning how to research, design and execute a campaign that resonates with clients and consumers. You’ll graduate prepared to drive positive brand recognition at the forefront of your industry. Specialization Courses The courses for the Strategic Communications specialization comprise 12 of the 33 program credits. You will learn to develop a successful communications strategy and leverage consumer research. Whether you’re transitioning into a marketing-oriented field, or upgrading your skills to advance your career, this specialization will prepare you with the foundational knowledge and practical skill set to thrive in a variety of communications roles. Explore specialization courses below. Strategic Principles and Practices In this course, you will explore the fundamentals of strategic planning as practiced in advertising, including problem assessment, competitive analysis, target-market profile, brand positioning, opportunity recognition, creative platform and creative executions. Topics in Advertising: Communications Planning Media planning as a discipline has evolved from a game of numbers executed in a media buy to a much more strategic pursuit. More frequently now called communications planning, it is about developing a holistic plan that drives brand marketing objectives across platforms. In this course you will work through the communications planning process culminating in a media recommendation for a client. You’ll learn about the digital media sales and buying process today, known as programmatic buying. This course also examines the ethical issues associated with the collection and use of data. Digital Branding and Strategy In this course, you will explore how digital media, such as websites, social networks, blogs, wikis, and mobile platforms, have transformed the advertising industry. You’ll also learn about how consumers are targeted and how they perceive messages on these digital platforms. Crisis Communications This course teaches crisis communication management, including identifying and understanding different crises, developing effective strategies, and utilizing historical and current management theories to add value to any organization.  Public Relations Theory and Practice This course covers theories of excellence in public relations by looking at PR models, organizational culture and diversity and ethics in the field. A brief overview of communication theory is included. Theories form the foundation of professional practice. Strategic Communications Management in the Digital Age This course introduces students to public relations, mass communication, and social psychology theories applicable to professional practice and orients them to effective strategies that are required in an increasingly digital and social media-driven working environment. Public Relations Campaign Planning and Execution In this course, you will learn to apply strategic planning, research and tactics to meet client needs. In teams, you will design, execute and evaluate appropriate integrated campaigns for actual clients. You will produce campaign books to add to your professional portfolio. “The communications and advertising fields are changing rapidly, and I am most excited to learn where these fields are headed. I knew that I wanted to continue my education, but I was adamant about finding a program that was exciting and inspiring. It is also fitting that as the communications industry turns its focus to the digital world, we are learning in a digital environment.” Natascha Trittis International Olympic Committee, July 2015 cohort How Will You Craft Your Brand’s Identity? Start building the skills with an online master of science in communications from Newhouse. Why Choose a Strategic Communications Specialization? As a graduate of the online M.S. Communications program with a specialization in Strategic Communications, you will build skills to advance your career and drive innovation and brand recognition across industries. Discover the benefits of this specialization below. Understand Your Audience The Strategic Communications specialization will teach you to think critically about how consumers receive messages about brands and products—and then build the target-market profile, creative approach and digital strategy to reach them. You will emerge prepared to develop intentional messaging that resonates with your audience, no matter who they are. Grow Your Professional Network Communications can be one of the most competitive industries to break into. At Newhouse, you’ll build a network of accomplished professionals—faculty and alumni—that you can use to grow your career long after graduation. Showcase Your Newfound Knowledge  Your Capstone Project serves as an opportunity to apply the design-based thinking skills you will acquire throughout the program and channel them towards a project tailored to your goals or work aspirations. Through this project you will gain real-world insights into the nuances of effective communication, branding, and successful implementation strategies.  Learn From Strategic Communications Professionals Over the years, Newhouse has evolved into a leading communications school with a variety of award-winning advertising and PR experts as faculty. As a student, you’ll learn from professors like Brian Sheehan, who worked at Saatchi & Saatchi and managed accounts for top-tier brands including General Mills, Toyota, IKEA and Procter & Gamble. Strategic Communications Career Outlook Our specialization will help you cultivate skills that can be applied across a variety of professions, including: Account manager Advertising director Marketing manager Press secretary Communications manager Media relations manager Public relations director Internal communications director Interested in one of our other specializations? Learn More About Journalism Innovation Learn More About Media Management Alumni & Convocation Our Future. Reimagined. Vision, Mission and Values Executive Leadership Group & Invitees Global Engagement Transformation Unit Registrar’s Portfolio Publications Strategic Plan Student Regulations UJ Key Statistics Student Portal / uLink Students Achievements Academic Calendar and Regulations Assessments Information Graduation Information Student Finance Prescribed Booklists Staff Web Mail Staff Intranet Academic Transcripts Convocation Dignitas Awards Academic Centres Academic Development and Support Research Centres Commercialisation and Technology Transfer Division of Academic Planning, Quality Promotion and Academic Staff Development Division for Institutional Planning, Evaluation and Monitoring Graphic Studio Institutional Office For HIV and AIDS Human Resources Language Unit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) More listed services… Online Qualification Verification Online Payments UJ Arts & Culture Postgraduate School School of Tourism and Hospitality Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation Institute for Intelligent Systems Procurement and Tenders PhD in Strategic Communication Faculty Website:    Faculty of Humanities Department:  Department of Strategic Communication Programme Level: Postgraduate Programme Name:  PhD in Strategic Communication Programme Code: P7020Q Medium of Facilitation: part-time, Full-Time NQF Level:  10 NQF Credits:  360 SAQA:  73882 Application Start Date : 1 April 2024 Application End Date: 14 March 2025 Campus:  Auckland Park Kingsway Contacts: UJ Call Centre 011 559-4555 Email: [email protected] Duration of Study:  2 Years Full-Time and 3 Years Part-Time Programme Fees The doctorate in Corporate Communication is designed to develop highly specialised and in-depth theoretical, professional and research skills within the disciplines of Corporate Communication and Communication. The qualification is designed to facilitate professional role enactment in highly specialised and unpredictable communication contexts, and to acquire the ability to respond to abstract problems that expand and redefine existing corporate communication knowledge. It also facilitates a comprehensive command of advanced communication research methodology, which should result in a significant and original contribution to the discipline of corporate communication as well as the ability to engage in critical dialogue. The doctoral study programme comprises a thesis that makes an original contribution to Strategic Communication on a topic selected in consultation with the departmental head. A maximum of four advanced seminars on relevant aspects of the topic of study, and an oral examination (the equivalent of two papers each consisting of four modules) as prescribed in the General Regulation book. A research article that is suitable for publication in an academic journal is required. Admission Requirements A Master’s Degreen in Communication is required, with a minimum average of 65%. The general regulation with regard to the duration of the Master’s programme is also applicable in this instance. Selection Process S The extent to which applicants meet admission requirements is assessed by the relevant Head of Department, in consultation with the prospective supervisors, in accordance with the admission requirements for the particular doctoral programme determined by the Faculty Board, approved by Senate and contained in the relevant Faculty Rules and Regulations. The Head of Department, in consultation with the relevant Executive Dean, may set additional admission requirements, as approved by the relevant faculty higher degrees committee, for a particular student. Admission requirements are department specific and approved by the Executive Dean. Admission to a doctoral programme is not automatic even if the applicant is in possession of an appropriate preceding qualification. 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EN Action Another action Free Counselling Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you. Looking for undergraduate studies Looking for postgraduate studies Student but not looking for further education at the moment Parent or Guardian University administrator Professional Thanks for sending your response. Your input will help us improve your experience. You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login. Already have an account? Sign in MGIMO University Vernadsky, moscow russia, # =567 qs world university rankings, 39 undergraduate programs, 56 postgraduate programs, 620,460 rub tuition fee/year, find your perfect course, follow university, about mgimo university. Established in 1943 MGIMO University (Moscow State Institute of International Relations) is among the premier social science universities in Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and BRICS countries. In 1993, MGIMO pioneered Russia’s first ever international dual degree program with the French Sciences Po in Paris – and was the first to launch full-fledged English-medium Bachelor programs in International Affairs and International Business and Finance. Today, MGIMO offers a vast array of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 18 areas of study; as well as PhD, MBA, Executive MBA, and pre-university programs. It takes pride in its unique language learning opportunities with 53 foreign languages delivered full-time, which earned it a Guinness World Record for the largest number of languages taught at a university. MGIMO is reputable for the prominent role of teamwork, analytical thinking, critical reasoning, and strategic planning as key aspects of its training methodologies. MGIMO is also a world-renowned, highly influential public policy think tank. It has been ranked the 8th best university-based policy think tank in the world by the 2020 UN-commissioned Pennsylvania University Survey. As of 2020, the University offers, for international students, 30 dual/triple degree programs with top universities in Europe, America, and Asia; as well as undergraduate and postgraduate programs in English, French, Italian, German, and Chinese. The University comprises 13 schools, a Lyceum, a pre-university professional training college and a Business School. MGIMO’s subject-focus ranges from international relations, regional studies, politics, governance, and diplomacy to world economy, law, journalism, foreign trade and management, energy affairs, linguistics, and environmental studies. The University’s faculty to student ratio stands at 1 to 4, with over 1500 professors and lecturers teaching extensively in smaller groups and tutorial-type seminars. MGIMO’s faculty includes some 20 fellows of the Russian Academy of Sciences (the highest scientific honor Russia can bestow), about 250 full professors, and more than 700 Ph.D. degree-holders. Each year MGIMO invites over 100 international visiting professors. Some of them teach regular classes at MGIMO, e.g. a famous American foreign policy expert from Columbia University Robert Legvold and Professor of Government at Dartmouth College (USA) William Wohlforth. The University habitually welcomes prominent guests – Presidents, Prime Ministers, leaders of international organizations, who come to MGIMO to give open lectures to students. Today, there are about 8,000 students at MGIMO from 74 countries. International students account for nearly 20 % of the total number of students. MGIMO spearheaded the establishment of Endowment Funds in Russia, thanks to the generous contributions from its graduates and worldwide known philanthropists. MGIMO Endowment today is the largest university foundation in Russia. It provides support to students’ projects and their overseas internships. In 2016, ZEvA, Germany’s first accreditation agency, evaluated and accredited all University’s undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In 2019, the Advisory Board of the MBA Association (AMBA) accredited the MBA and Executive MBA programs of the MGIMO Business School. The same year MGIMO joined the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) –the most revered professional association in management and business education. Available programs Bachelor ug. MGIMO is Russia's most prestigious educational institution for young people with international interests. For international students, MGIMO is that and more: a modern, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating place to study in Russia’s greatest city. MGIMO’s diverse student body of about 8,000 is drawn from the top ranks of Russian students and from partner universities around the world. MGIMO offers a broad range of courses at the undergraduate level in Russian and English — from international law, political science, and economics, to journalism, business management, and energy policy. International undergraduates can pursue intellectually challenging and exciting coursework alongside their Russian peers.  In recent years, the university has formed numerous partnerships with leading institutions around the world. MGIMO is fully integrated into the Bologna accords, which spell out strict standards for European higher learning institutions. The University is also committed to enhancing an ever-evolving curriculum, and campus life that continues to reflect its reputation as Russia’s most revered and most advanced place for grasping international affairs. For over seven decades, MGIMO University has been educating professionals who serve in diplomacy, politics, public, private and nonprofit organizations to make a difference in the world. Through rigorous social and political science research and hands-on experience, the MGIMO alumni and faculty work for the improvement of public administration and social services, stand up for human rights, strengthen markets, protect the environment, and promote peace in their home communities and the all over the world. MGIMO draws upon the resources of the great city of Moscow and has a global reach, with over 60,000 alumni in more than 70 countries and educational partners from London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, New York, and Washington. At MGIMO University our prospective students will find a powerful network of peers within which they can expand their knowledge, learn from one another, test new ideas, and remain at the cutting edge of research on international affairs, public policy, markets and society for years after their formal education. In 2013 Russia's first undergraduate school of international relations with courses exclusively in English: the MGIMO School of Government and International Affairs. Its innovative, multi-disciplinary curriculum is delivered by top-class faculty members and prepares its students for the leadership challenges of tomorrow. With a global outlook at the heart of everything it does, the School builds off of MGIMO’s outstanding strengths in international affairs research. Its study plan brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the social and political world around us, refining analytical and practical skills useful for a whole range of future careers and activities. MGIMO offers degrees designed for those who like to draw connections between political, economic and social phenomena. Underpinned by analytical rigour, the program offers a broad perspective on international politics and economy, Eurasian security, Russian foreign policy, government and domestic politics. As of 2020 onwards, SGIA offers three tracks of its English-language Bachelor Program: The School brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the social and political world around us, refining analytical and practical skills useful for a whole range of future careers and activities. It is a degree designed for those who like to draw connections between political, economic and social phenomena. Underpinned by analytical rigour, the program offers a broad perspective on international politics and economy, Eurasian security, Russian foreign policy, government and domestic politics. 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Students seeking a Master’s degree can apply to one of MGIMO’s innovative dual degree programs offered in collaboration with international partners, or seek a place in one of more than thirty MA programs taught in Russian or in English. The MGIMO School of Business and International Proficiency offers MBA programs, professional retraining, short- and medium-term programs of advanced professional training that deliver practical knowledge and skills needed for a career in an international environment. MGIMO also offers a PhD track as part of its graduate training. Full-time postgraduate studies take three to four years to complete. MGIMO has its own autonomous Dissertation Councils and the right to confer academic degrees. Currently available are 26 PhD training programs. 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The unidentified speaker warned of missile strikes and ongoing drone attacks against Russian forces. It was yet another example since Russia’s invasion last year of the innovative strategies in the information environment for which Ukraine has earned praise . Specifically, Ukraine has gained admiration for its effective communication of messages to both domestic and international audiences, as well as for its robust cybersecurity measures, which have enabled the prevention of and response to cyberattacks on its networks and systems. Of course, success in war is often a function not only of innovation, but also of a willingness to borrow tactics, techniques, and procedures that have worked well elsewhere, in other conflicts. Indeed, the phone calls in Crimea bear a resemblance to similar warning calls and text messages received by Israeli citizens and Gaza residents over the past fifteen years during periods of tension between Israel and the de facto rulers of Gaza, Hamas. But this is not the only example that appears to have influenced the development of Ukrainian operations in the information environment. Unsurprisingly, these operations have also borrowed from Soviet and Russian concepts of information warfare. They have also incorporated Western ideas about strategic communications. In some instances, the learning pathways are clear and evident, while in others they are less so. But regardless of how deliberately Ukraine has emulated others’ successful approaches, it is clear that effective practices migrate across both time and geography. Tracing that migration not only enables observers to better understand Ukraine’s operations in the information environment, but also equips them to leverage such migration in future conflicts. For NATO countries, that likely means learning from Ukraine in the same way it has learned from others. Soviet and Russian Influences The legacy of Soviet and Russian ideas about information warfare is natural, and Russia, as the dominant state in the Soviet Union, has had a profound and deep influence on Ukraine. An example can be found in the activities of the Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR ( Holovne Upravlinnja Rozvidky ). This service uses intercepted phone calls of Russian soldiers to family members and regularly releases excerpts of these calls on social media. In particular, fragments are used in which Russian soldiers express discontent, disappointment with their leadership, or confessions of (war) crimes . This highlights the twenty-first-century possibilities of technology. However, it is not a new idea to use the personal communication of opponents for influence operations. During the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the Red Army’s Political Directorate, responsible for all political propaganda by the military, targeted German army members with specific messaging. After the Battle for Moscow, in December 1941, the directorate started an operation analyzing captured letters from German soldiers to their families . These letters, in which German soldiers expressed dissatisfaction about their circumstances in winter, provided insight into the morale and psychological stamina of the enemy. This information was used to specifically tailor messaging to German forces via a wide array of delivery methods. The themes— You are lost, forgotten, and doomed in an endless Russian winter ; The dead are calling to the ones still alive ; The ones who surrendered do not suffer anymore —are reminiscent of today’s HUR operations on social media. Another example is the extensive use of personal celebrity to enhance individual messages. For the Soviet Union, this took the form of employing well-known authors and poets as war correspondents. These prominent writers—like Ilya Ehrenburg, Konstantin Simonov, and Vasilii Grossman, who all wrote for the military newspaper Krasnaia Zvezda —followed Red Army units in their battles against Nazi Germany. Ehrenburg was one of the leading anti-German publicists and became legendary , the single most read journalist of the war, adored by the population. Ukraine has adopted a different approach, but one that still leverages celebrity. Instead of relying on prominent authors with a large, preexisting following, it grants ordinary Ukrainian soldiers the ability to send out a continuous stream of messages on social media about their daily activities on the frontline, giving their audiences an up-close view of the military’s experience. This has made some of them celebrities on TikTok and YouTube, with several—like Lieutenant Olga Bigar (callsign “Witch”) of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces and Operator Starsky —attracting large numbers of followers, just as Ehrenburg did eight decades ago. It is noteworthy that social media publication policies are guided from Kyiv, ensuring that messages revolve around key themes— bravery, resilience, and defiance —and are consistent and aligned with overarching goals. Other than that, Ukrainian content creators hardly face any restrictions, unlike their Soviet predecessors, who operated under harsh guidelines from Moscow. Humorous content and interaction with animals, particularly cats and dogs , are recurring themes in videos of Ukrainian military personnel on social media. Additionally, blatant failures and alleged crimes of Russian armed forces are frequently emphasized. Ukraine has also adopted—and adapted—more modern Russian ideas, like the concept of information confrontation. Russian military thinking separates this concept into two main categories: informational-psychological confrontation and informational-technical confrontation . The former consists of efforts to influence the enemy’s population and military forces, while the latter involves the physical manipulation or destruction of information networks. According to Russian military doctrine, state actors handle implementing this concept, but nonstate actors also play a key role. Ukraine has in recent years felt the effects of Russian information confrontation firsthand. Russia ratcheted up a multifaceted campaign of information warfare in 2014 with the intention of undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. This included a range of strategies , including physical acts, online attacks, and efforts to sow disunity in Ukrainian society. Russia specifically attacked the physical and digital information infrastructure of Ukraine. The goal was to weaken Ukraine’s defenses by stimulating reactions like confusion, disorganization, and a sense of helplessness. Inadvertently, civil society in Ukraine during the years 2014 and 2015 aligned with Russia’s paradigm of information confrontation, which accentuates the involvement of nonstate entities. Nongovernmental organizations and initiatives such as Information Resistance , StopFake.org , Ukraine Today , and the Ukraine Crisis Media Center assumed a critical function in counteracting propaganda and extending media-bolstering efforts. This involved the provision of services conventionally attributed to governmental authorities . Presently, these Ukrainian nongovernmental organizations persist in their consequential roles, wherein they—along with fundraising collectives—continue to have substantial influence on the communication landscape of wartime Ukraine. After the events of 2014 and 2015 Ukrainian researcher Mikolay Turanskiy described the consequences of Russia’s operations and the necessity to improve his country’s approach. “The establishment of an independent Ukraine has been associated with persistent psychological and informational pressure,” he wrote. “To mitigate the effects of such pressure, Ukrainian scientists, and experts in the field of information and psychological warfare must make concerted efforts to expose manipulative and propagandistic actions and prevent hostile information and psychological campaigns from being conducted on Ukrainian soil.” Concurrent with Turanskiy’s recommendation, Ukraine’s military-scientific establishment studied the Russian approach and developed strategies to counter it. This has led to a series of measures to improve the resilience of Ukraine in the information environment. Learning from the Israeli Experience? Despite the combined government and civil society efforts to thwart Russian influence, Ukraine faced a bleak situation after the dust somewhat settled with the Minsk agreements in 2015 . Russia had annexed Crimea and an uneasy ceasefire in the east of Ukraine was established. The National Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyiv concluded in a postmortem report that Ukraine had lost the battle in the information environment. In this respect, Ukraine faced similar challenges as Israel had in the past. This is exemplified by an archetypical event during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. During that war, Hezbollah fired an Iranian-supplied Noor antiship cruise missile at the Israeli corvette INS Hanit . The attack killed four crew members and caused considerable damage to the ship. Although the strike had a minimal impact on Israel’s naval operations, it had a profound psychological effect. Hezbollah used its media platform, al-Manar, to broadcast a video that claimed to show the attack, accompanied by a triumphant speech by Hezbollah’s leader, Saeed Hassan Nasrallah. The video was intended to create a powerful impression on both domestic and international audiences and to achieve several objectives: demonstrate Hezbollah’s capability, emphasize the group’s resolve, and boost its image and legitimacy It was an event that showed Hezbollah’s skillful use of information warfare as a strategic tool and how nonstate actors can challenge state actors in asymmetric conflicts by exploiting their weaknesses. Considering instances like this, analysts credited Hezbollah with a decisive victory in the information environment, which Israel failed to achieve at that time. However, six years later, in 2012, during Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, Israel showcased that it had learned to use the information environment to its own advantage, specifically social media. A central focus of Israel’s social media campaign was the portrayal of the precision and potency of its weaponry, alongside shedding light on the difficulties endured by Israeli citizens in the face of Hamas rocket barrages. A distinct hallmark of Israel’s digital engagement during the operation was its mobilization of domestic and international supporters via platforms such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. By disseminating messages and testimonials across online platforms, Israel succeeded in fostering a sense of unity, solidarity, and patriotism among its backers. A distinctive facet of Israel’s social media approach was its decentralized and bottom-up orientation, which included giving young, media-savvy officers of the Israel Defense Forces the lead in the social media campaign. Both Israel and Ukraine have launched dedicated online ventures tailored to supply their respective supporter bases with resources for information dissemination and advocacy. An example of this transpired in the initiation of the Israel Under Fire project on social media in 2012. This citizen initiative, reinforced by government endorsement, provided live updates and information about attacks on Israel. The campaign aimed to raise awareness and support for Israel’s right to defend itself. Ukraine has embraced comparable tactics, shaping platforms and campaigns to not only diffuse accurate information but also to rectify any misinformation, while concurrently fostering international awareness of the circumstances faced by Ukraine, its military, and its people. An example is #SnakeIslandStrong , a campaign designed to spotlight the valor and tenacity exhibited by Ukrainian soldiers during their defense of Snake Island against a Russian attack in 2022. Additionally, Ukraine’s adept use of social media to express gratitude toward international partners for their (military) aid packages further illustrates its strategic approach to fostering support and solidarity. Although there is no record of official contact between Ukraine and Israel regarding an exchange of knowledge on operations in the information environment, there are more than just superficial similarities between the approaches of the two countries. Both nations have rallied domestic and international support by capitalizing on the reach of social media. Furthermore, Ukraine has extended beyond this trajectory by incorporating initiatives for crowdfunding goods for the army and the needs of citizens who are not able to help themselves, thereby broadening the scope of engagement. A notable case in point is the recent crowdfunding effort undertaken by several Ukrainian entities—the government program United24 , nongovernmental organization Come Back Alive , and private company Monobank . This cooperative initiative, aimed at procuring ten thousand first-person-view drones and ammunition for Ukrainian forces, emerged as an illustrative instance of mobilizing financial support from the public. Within a span of five days in August 2023 the crowdfunding organization collected 235 million Ukrainian hryvnia, equivalent to 6.3 million US dollars, through contributions from over three hundred thousand individuals and companies from Ukraine and abroad. The Israel Defense Forces, and Israel’s broader experience more than ten years ago, demonstrated that combat operations, coordinated with activities in the information environment, can have significant impacts. Like Ukraine in 2014, Israel had learned from a previous situation (the Second Lebanon War in 2006) that a compelling narrative is required, one that explains why its forces were on the battlefield and solidifies support from its own population and foreign sympathizers. After the experiences of 2014 and 2015, the Ukrainians seem to have taken these lessons to heart and are applying it in their ongoing operations. Strategic Communications as an Integrator—Facilitated by Ukrainian Networks A third apparent external influence on the Ukrainian approach to operations in the information environment is the NATO strategic communications concept. In 2014, a report from the National Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyiv recognized the active role of civil society in countering Russian influence, while at the same time noting that this positive development was set against the backdrop of the government’s tame media response toward the Russian campaign. The institute’s experts attributed this to the absence of a solid national strategy for sharing information with both local and international audiences. There was also a shortage of resources and skilled personnel in this area. Given these challenges, the report’s authors advised that it was necessary to “implement and institutionalize the practice of the strategic communications”. This idea gained more traction as time went on. Ukrainian scholars Tetiana Popova and Volodymyr Lipkan outlined the core features of this concept as a coordinated effort involving both state and nonstate actors to manage information, including by using various methods to shape public opinion, safeguard information sovereignty, and advance national identity and interests. In 2015 Ukraine teamed up with NATO. This collaboration resulted in the NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communications Partnership Roadmap. The roadmap , signed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov, aimed to boost Ukraine’s strategic communications abilities. It also sought to cultivate a culture of strategic communications in Ukraine and maintain standards of accuracy and ethics to ensure the credibility of government communication. An important aspect of Ukraine’s strategic communications culture is the strong ties among specialists from various departments in charge of information-related tasks in Ukraine’s ministries and civil society representatives. These horizontal personal connections were forged in the years before the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, fostered by instructive training sessions and seminars on strategic communications. Consecutive Ukrainian deputy ministers of defense have been leading figures in these recurring events, which covered diverse topics, exposing participants to collaborative work under pressure, networking, and joint problem-solving. This collaborative atmosphere involved a range of actors, such as military and intelligence personnel, civil servants, academics, journalists, and public figures. Consequently, a culture of continuous networking and informal communication flourished. In essence, Ukraine’s investments in strategic communications reflect a concept based on international alignment with NATO mixed with strong internal Ukrainian networks that developed in the years leading up to the invasion. This approach has leveraged networking as a method for success. Activities in the information environment, often facilitated by cyberspace, bring together previously separate activities such as mass communication and intelligence. In Ukraine, this has resulted in impactful outcomes—the observations of which should not be disregarded by anyone searching for lessons. Ukraine has grasped the importance of collaboration among government ministries, military actors, and civil society. But this effort has developed entirely organically. External influences have played a role in shaping Ukraine’s strategies for operating in the information environment. Influences from the former Soviet Union and Russia have had a lasting impact. Clear parallels can also be drawn between Ukraine and Israel, wherein initial failures in the information environment led to enhanced interagency cooperation and the involvement of tech-savvy personnel who understand the dynamics of the online world. And notably, Ukraine has also eagerly embraced the strategic communications concept of NATO, albeit with a Ukrainian touch that emphasizes networking over rigid doctrine. It would be wise to take note of Ukraine’s approach in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite being outmatched by Russia in 2014, Ukraine has transformed into a nation that steadfastly defends itself against the Russian onslaught, rallying Western and other allies for support and setting a strong model for a government’s use of the information environment in times of conflict. Major Peter Schrijver is a PhD researcher affiliated with the Netherlands Defence Academy. His academic interests focus on Ukraine’s operations in the information environment. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense. Image credit: President of Ukraine Leave a reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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Ukraine's Fight on the Front Lines of the Information Environment An important aspect of Ukraine's strategic communications culture is the strong ties among specialists from various departments in charge of information-related tasks in Ukraine's ministries and civil society representatives. These horizontal personal connections were forged in the years before the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, fostered ... essay homework paper phd review speech study thesis