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»MS in Strategic Communication
At Chapman University, we inspire students to innovate in communication. Our Master of Science in Strategic Communication is the only evidence-based program of its kind in Southern California. Students learn to channel that spirit of innovation into strategic communication across fields such as business, health promotion and prevention, and social justice.
The Master of Science degree is, first and foremost, a research degree. Our students develop strong research and analytical skills to examine and craft messaging that influences individual, institutional, and public audiences.
We place particular emphasis on communication in strategic areas such as interpersonal relationships, organizational communication, political communication, health campaigns and interventions, civil discourse, intercultural communication, and health messaging in media and entertainment. Join us to learn how to become an effective, strategic communicator who creates lasting impact. In Chapman’s School of Communication,
We think strategically and connect meaningfully.
Our Students and Alumni
Here are some of the employers who have hired graduates with a Chapman MS degree in Strategic Communication:
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Planned Parenthood
- UCLA Health
- Orange County United Way
- NBCUniversal
- Aerotek
- CNN
- Institute for Healthcare Advancement
- City of Hope
- CHOC



Admission Requirements
Prerequisites:
You must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and must provide evidence of satisfactory coursework in the following two areas:
- Research Methodology
All prerequisites must be met by the beginning of the program start date.
Admission Requirements:
- Online application for admission (includes $60 non-refundable application fee) Application Deadlines: January 15: Priority Deadline and March 15: Regular Deadline
- Official transcripts must be submitted from ALL degree-granting (bachelor’s or master’s degrees) colleges and universities attended. An official transcript submitted in a sealed envelope which you have received from your college or university is acceptable.
- 3.00 is the minimum recommended undergraduate cumulative grade point average.
- 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.
- Verbal: 500/153
- Quantitative: 550/146
- Analytical Writing: 4.0/4.0
- GRE can be waived if the applicant's undergraduate program GPA is 3.3 or higher.
- Letters of recommendation - Two letters of recommendation are required, including one which must be from an academic source who describes your professional and academic abilities.
- Statement of intent – a 500 word essay addressing the area of communication in which you are interested, or how the program will help you reach your goals.
- Resume – a resume or curriculum vitae is required
- Applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree outside of the United States are required to achieve an acceptable score on an English language test. For more information on the English test scores, please click here.
Course Requirements
The core courses educate students in human communication theory and methodology as related to applied contexts, whereas advanced specialized content and elective courses provide opportunities for application by putting research into practice.
Students pursuing the Master of Science in Strategic Communication degree are held to the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures. In addition, these specific degree standards apply:
- Complete 30 credits as listed below.
- Minimum grade “C+” or above required in all coursework.
- Maintain 3.000 GPA in the degree.
- Complete the capstone course HCOM 598.
For additional information, view the catalog.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the HCOM MS Program have gone on to work in a variety of health-related careers at such organizations as:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Planned Parenthood
- UCLA Health
- Orange County United Way
- The American Cancer Society
- The Entertainment Industries Council
- USC's Clinical and Translational Science Institute
- County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
- Maricich Healthcare Communications
Our alumni have also been admitted to dental programs at the University of Southern California and Baylor University and the psychology and social behavior Ph.D. program at the University of California, Irvine.
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