小蓝视频

In the midst of a media revolution, the ability to communicate ideas听through various media outlets is critical for organizations. It鈥檚 no secret: No matter how much technology evolves,听the need听to foster effective communication will remain. That鈥檚 why students are pursuing strategic communication degrees to help build the creative, strategic skills that can make a positive change in their field鈥攁nd the world.听

If you鈥檙e looking to advance your career, you鈥檙e on the right track. Here鈥檚 what you need to know about strategic听communication.听

What鈥檚 the difference between public relations (PR) and strategic communication?听
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While the terms 鈥渟trategic communication鈥� and 鈥減ublic relations鈥� are often used interchangeably, strategic communication is generally considered a broader field that encompasses an organization鈥檚 internal communication and external communication, which may include public relations, marketing, branding, advertising, media relations, crisis management, corporate social responsibility, investor relations, community/constituent outreach, government relations, event planning, etc.

PR professionals are responsible for maintaining positive relationships between an organization听and the community through public-facing communication. Careers in this field are often with public relations firms or large organizations with their own communications teams. Strategic communication professionals work under an umbrella of different career paths, all of which use different channels to distribute an organization鈥檚 message internally or听externally. Careers in this field include government and public affairs, health communication, social marketing, crisis communication and public diplomacy, as well as digital marketing, advertising, public relations and more.

How will a strategic communication degree prepare me for the professional world?听
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A master鈥檚 degree in strategic communication gives you the skills you need to become an effective multi-channel communicator and optimize your messaging in today鈥檚听market.听听

Strategic communication students learn to:

• Communicate confidently and persuasively across multiple channels and diverse audiences
• Understand the role of digital strategy and technology tools in integrated communication campaigns听
• Understand and apply听research in strategic communication campaigns
• Think analytically about and creatively solve communication problems faced by organizations
• Develop the key elements of campaign management, including situation analysis, research, setting objectives, developing strategies, identifying target audiences and key messages, and employing impactful tactics in the right timeline, with ongoing evaluation

By developing these crucial skills at an advanced professional level, you鈥檒l bring valuable and employable qualities to the workplace in virtually any industry.听

What are the key areas of focus for an MA in Strategic Communication?
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Earning an MA in Strategic Communication offers the opportunity to tailor your degree to your personal and professional goals. While not every student chooses a concentration, you will gain a thorough understanding of important issues in the workplace and the world today:听

• Advocacy + social impact: Learn the skills and tools needed to create meaningful change and address society鈥檚 emerging challenges听
• Digital communication strategies: Identify and leverage strategies to help you compete and stand out online听
• Corporate communication + reputation: Learn how to manage and protect your client鈥檚 reputation and its value as a corporate asset听
• International strategic communication: Improve your knowledge of business, political and social cultures听
• Diversity + multicultural communication: Focus on DEI issues and the importance of communicating across different cultures听听听

What can I expect when pursuing a Strategic Communication degree based in Washington, DC?听

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According to , Washington, DC, is one of the strongest PR markets听in America. As the nation鈥檚 political media capital, DC is home to some of the world鈥檚 most noteworthy communicators. Between expert faculty with deep DC ties and the ability to gain hands-on experience with some of the nation鈥檚 top PR firms, you can take what you learn in the classroom and apply it to real-world situations as you build your resume and portfolio to land your dream career.听

Are there options available for working professionals who need a flexible schedule? 听
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At a time when digital learning is in demand more than ever before, many programs are offered online for the convenience of remote students and working professionals. 小蓝视频 brings the same dynamic learning opportunities as our on-campus programs based in Washington, DC, wherever you鈥檙e located. While the asynchronous environment of an online class requires self-motivation, discipline, and time management, online learning gives you the opportunity to take classes while traveling, taking an internship, working or enjoying a vacation.

Choosing to participate in an on-campus versus online experience is entirely up to life circumstances and the type of student. Where on-campus learning offers a regularly scheduled place and time, as well as real experience in the DC area, online students can choose to participate on their own schedule through an interactive online program鈥攚here they鈥檒l learn through simulations and apply best practices to today鈥檚 newest technology and media channels.听

Why choose 小蓝视频 for a strategic communication degree?听听听
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小蓝视频 is based in Washington, DC鈥攖he epicenter of national political and social movements鈥斕齪roviding endless opportunities for networking and real-world experience. As the longest-standing program of its听听kind in the area, the MA in Strategic Communication offers proven coursework to help you go into the professional world with an understanding of the importance of effective multi-channel communication strategies that you need to stand out in a thriving marketplace.听

The program offers a distinguished faculty of accomplished experts and adjunct professors working at the forefront of the industry with cutting-edge tools and insights. With a focus on advocacy and social听听responsibility, you鈥檒l learn how to use information in creative and innovative ways so you can make an impact in your career and the world.听

Organizations consider听students with a master鈥檚 in strategic communication more employable: More than 95% of our graduates report they鈥檙e employed or in advanced studies within six months of graduation, including at companies like Microsoft, Ogilvy,听American Red Cross, NPR, the US Department of State听and more. 小蓝视频 also provides flexible degree options to meet your needs, including full-time, part-time and online classes.听听

No matter which career path you鈥檙e passionate about, graduates of a strategic communication program learn an enormous range of highly employable and transferable skills. The work you do in our program helps you build real-world skills and a diverse portfolio that will allow you to advance your career鈥攅ven before you graduate. Learn more about an MA in Strategic Communication from 小蓝视频 or connect with an admissions adviser to听get started today.听