» MS in Health and Strategic Communication

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.

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 Health and 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.

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.