»School of Communication Graduate Programs

<p>The School of Communication at Chapman University offers MS in Health and Strategic Communication and Ph.D. in Communication.</p> <p>Earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s of Health and Strategic Communication in just five years total with the 4+1 program. For the first three years, you’ll focus on undergraduate classes. In year four, you’ll take both undergraduate and graduate classes. And in year five, you’ll finish your graduate classes and earn your master’s degree.</p> <div class="regions-widget"> <div class="region"> <h2>MS in Health and Strategic Communication</h2> <div class="content"> <p><img alt="" class="featureImage" height="350" role="presentation" src="/communication/_files/communications-programs-masthead.jpg" width="425"><span>Master theories and concepts in health and strategic communication, and earn applied research experience.</span></p> <ul class="linkList"> <li><a aria-label="" href="/communication/graduate/strategic-communication.aspx" title="">MS in Health and Strategic Communication »</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="region"> <h2>Ph.D. in Communication</h2> <div class="content"> <p><img alt="" class="featureImage" height="350" role="presentation" src="/communication/_files/phd-in-communication-funnel.jpg" width="425"><span>Further develop communication research and teaching skills and apply it in academic and professional settings.</span></p> <ul class="linkList"> <li><a aria-label="" href="/communication/graduate/phd-in-communication.aspx" title="">Ph.D. in Communication »</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="region"> <h2>4 +1 Integrated Undergraduate/ Masters of Health and Strategic Communication</h2> <div class="content"> <p><img alt="" class="featureImage" height="350" role="presentation" src="/communication/_files/health-and-strategic-communication-funnel.jpg" width="425"><span>Earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s of Health and Strategic Communication in just five years total.</span></p> <ul class="linkList"> <li><a aria-label="" href="/communication/academic-programs/4-1-health-strategic-communication.aspx" title="">4 +1 Integrated Undergraduate/ Masters of Health and Strategic Communication »</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="collapsibles-widget"><br><div class="row"> <div class="toggle-expand-collapse expand" data-toggle="collapsibles-widget__toggle" tabindex="0">Toggle Section</div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" class="accordion" role="button"> <h2 class="header" role="button" tabindex="0"><span class="show"></span><span class="hide"></span> FAQ's </h2> <div class="content editableContent"> <ul> <li><strong>Can I get a graduate degree if I am not a Communication major?</strong><ul> <li>Any major is welcome (even for the 4 + 1).</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Do I need to take the GRE when applying for the graduate programs in the School of Communication?</strong><ul> <li>Graduate Admission Test Scores – The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. Applicants must achieve the following minimum scores which are listed as previous version test scores and new version comparative test scores, respectively. Chapman's GRE institution code is 4047. <ul> <li>Verbal: 500/153</li> <li>Quantitative: 550/146</li> <li>Analytical Writing: 4.0/4.0</li> <li>In rare cases the GRE may be waived when a student has evidence of scholarly publication/excellence</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>How long does it take to complete your graduate programs?</strong><ul> <li>4+1 integrated undergraduate (B.A.) plus graduate (MS) degree = 5 years</li> <li>MS degree in Health and Strategic Communication = 2 years</li> <li>Ph.D. degree in Communication = 3 years</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Can I get both the MS and PhD together in 5 years?</strong><ul> <li>Yes. But admission into the doctoral program will be dependent on performance in the MS program. After completing the MS, you would still have to apply for the PhD program.</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Are there opportunities to earn money as a research assistant or teaching assistant while in your graduate programs? </strong><ul> <li>Yes! There are competitive opportunities available for both research assistantships and graduate student instructor paid positions while in our graduate programs. If interested in any of these paid positions, please talk with the Director of the Graduate Programs.</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>What careers are available to graduates from the School of Communication graduate programs?</strong><ul> <li>A degree in Communication opens the door to a wide variety of employment opportunities. Communication graduates find jobs in the private, government, and non-profit sectors. Following are profiles of people with Communication degrees who are now employed in a range of interesting positions. View our Alumni Profiles to see profiles that illustrate the breadth of opportunity that is available to Communication graduates. Further, these profiles share, in the graduates’ own words, how an education in Communication serves them well in their jobs.</li> </ul> </li> </ul><br><p> </p> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" class="accordion" role="button"> <h2 class="header" role="button" tabindex="0"><span class="show"></span><span class="hide"></span> Alumni Profiles </h2> <div class="content editableContent"> <div><strong><img alt="" class="" height="350" src="/communication/_files/phil.jpg" width="425"></strong></div> <h3><strong>Phil Bui '19 (MS '20)</strong></h3> <div></div> <div><strong>Business Analytics and Research Analyst at NBC Universal</strong></div> <div><em>B.A. Communication Studies and M.S. Health and Strategic Communication</em></div> <div>As a Business Analytics & Research Analyst, Phil synthesizes and provides IP/content security intelligence to business units across NBCU and its brands (i.e. he conducts, reviews, and reports on research relating to media piracy and counterfeit goods both in the US and abroad).</div> <div> <hr> </div> <div><strong><img alt="" class="" height="350" src="/communication/_files/alumni-profile-9.jpg" width="425"></strong></div> <h3><strong>Mona Sleiman ’14 (MS ’15)</strong></h3> <p><strong>Account Manager at Aerotek</strong><br><em>B.A. Communication Studies and M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication</em><br>“People are everything – we learn from each other, we push each other to grow, and we celebrate together.”<br><a href="https://blogs.chapman.edu/communication/2020/06/11/people-are-everything-we-learn-from-each-other-we-push-each-other-to-grow-and-we-celebrate-together/">Read Alumni Spotlight</a> </p> <hr> <div><strong><img alt="" class="" height="350" src="/communication/_files/alumni-profile-6.jpeg" width="425"></strong></div> <h3><strong>Holeka Inaba ’16 (MS ’17)</strong></h3> <div></div> <div><strong>Communication Consultant at Kūpaʻa Business Planners</strong></div> <div><em>B.A. Communication Studies and M.S. Health and Strategic Communication</em></div> <div>"...my communication degree has helped me in more ways than I ever expected. In terms of running for office, I think back to the wide range of information I learned regarding messaging, and yes, communication theory. My communication degree from Chapman has and will continue to allow me to work well with and for my community."</div> <div></div> <div> <hr> </div> <div><strong><img alt="" height="350" src="/communication/_files/kishirey.jpg" width="425"></strong></div> <h3><strong>Rikishi Rey ’13 (MA ’19, Ph.D. ’22)</strong></h3> <div></div> <div><strong>Assistant Professor of Sport Communication at Clemson University</strong></div> <div><em>B.A. in Mass Communication, M.A. in Communication Studies, Ph.D. in Sport and Health Communication </em></div> <div>“In this role, I focus my attention on all three facets of academia: teaching, researching, and service. As an instructor, I teach two courses each semester encouraging students to dive deeper into communicative concepts as they pertain to sport, health, theory, and methodology, and focus the course on preparing them for careers after graduation.”</div> </div> </div> </div>

The School of Communication at Chapman University offers MS in Strategic Communication and Ph.D. in Communication.

Earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s of Strategic Communication in just five years total with the 4+1 program. For the first three years, you’ll focus on undergraduate classes. In year four, you’ll take both undergraduate and graduate classes. And in year five, you’ll finish your graduate classes and earn your master’s degree.

Graduate Programs in the School of Communication

MS in Strategic Communication

Master theories and concepts in strategic communication and earn applied research experience.

More on Our MS Strategic Communication Program

Ph.D. in Communication

Further develop communication research and teaching skills and apply them in academic and professional settings.

4 +1 Integrated Undergraduate/ Masters in Strategic Communication

Earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Strategic Communication in just five years.

More on our 4+1 Integrated Undergraduate/Master in Strategic Communication

Phil Bui ’19 (MS ‘20)

Sr. Analyst, Business Analytics & Research at NBC Universal

B.A. Communication Studies and M.S. Health and Strategic Communication As a Business Analytics & Research Analyst, Phil synthesizes and provides IP/content security intelligence to business units across NBCU and its brands (i.e., he conducts, reviews, and reports on research relating to media piracy and counterfeit goods both in the US and abroad).

Mona Sleiman ‘14 (MS’15)

Clinical Research Account Manager at Actalent

B.A. Communication Studies and M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication “People are everything – we learn from each other, we push each other to grow, and we celebrate together.”

Holeka Inaba ’16 (MS’17)

Communication Consultant at Kūpaʻa Business Planners

B.A. Communication Studies and M.S. Health and Strategic Communication "...my communication degree has helped me in more ways than I ever expected. In terms of running for office, I think back to the wide range of information I learned regarding messaging, and yes, communication theory. My communication degree from Chapman has and will continue to allow me to work well with and for my community."

Rikishi Rey ’13 (MA ’19, Ph.D. ’22)

Assistant Professor of Sport Communication at Clemson University

B.A. in Mass Communication, M.A. in Communication Studies, Ph.D. in Sport and Health Communication “In this role, I focus my attention on all three facets of academia: teaching, researching, and service. As an instructor, I teach two courses each semester, encouraging students to dive deeper into communicative concepts as they pertain to sport, health, theory, and methodology, and focus the course on preparing them for careers after graduation.”

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Can I get a graduate degree if I am not a Communication major?

Any major is welcome (even for the 4+1).

Do I need to take the GRE when applying for the graduate programs in the School of Communication?

Graduate Admission Test Scores − The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. Applications must achieve the following minimum scores, which are listed as previous version test scores and new version cooperative test scores, respectively. Chapman GRE institution core is 4047

Verval: 500/153
Quantitative: 550/146
Analytical Writing: 4.0/4.0
In rare cases, the GRE may be waived when a student has evidence of scholarly publication/excellence

How long does it take to complete your graduate programs?

4+1 integrated undergraduate (B.A.) plus graduate (M.S.) degree = 5 years
MS degree in Strategic Communication = 2 years
Ph.D. degree in Communication = 3 years

Can I get both the MS and Ph.D. together in 5 years?

Yes. But admission into the doctoral program will be dependent on performance in the MS program. After completing the MS, you would still have to apply for the Ph.D. program.

Are there opportunities to earn money as a research assistant or teaching assistant while in your graduate programs?

Yes! There are competitive opportunities available for both research assistantships and graduate student instructor paid positions while in our graduate programs. If interested in any of these paid positions, please talk with the Director of the Graduate Programs.

What careers are available to graduates from the School of Communication graduate programs?

A graduate degree in Communication from Chapman University opens the door to a wide variety of career opportunities across the private, government, and non-profit sectors. Our graduates have gone on to hold distinguished and memorable positions in industries like media, healthcare, tech, and education. With strong skills in strategy, storytelling, and research, here are just a few of the roles you can pursue:

- Strategic Communications Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Marketing Director
- UX Researcher
- Corporate Trainer
- Social Media Manager
- Crisis Communication Consultant
- Health Communication Specialist
- Internal Communications Lead
- University Lecturer or Academic Advisor