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Master's in Strategic Communications - Global Focus Online

Arkansas State University’s 100% online Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication spans 30 credit hours, can be completed in as few as 10 months and costs $10,500 in total tuition ($350 per credit hour). Designed for communicators whose work reaches across languages, cultures and technologies, it prepares graduates for advancement into roles such as communications director, brand manager, global marketing manager, public relations manager and other senior positions.

Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27

Program Overview

What does A-State's online M.S. in Strategic Communications – Global Strategic Communication offer?

Expand your communication skills to a global audience with the Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication online program at Arkansas State University.

This online master’s in strategic communications program gives you the opportunity to hone your communication and research skills, as well as understand the “why” behind communication strategies and methods. Plus, you will gain specialized expertise in creating and disseminating messages applicable across languages, cultures and technologies.

Coursework includes a course on communications for social change and advocacy, international intellectual property law, and intercultural communication. You will also study audience market analysis, quantitative research methods and an advanced study of the principles and practice of media advertising.

In this online Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication program, you will:

  • Understand the role of intellectual property in the international arena
  • Investigate case studies and challenges in messaging across language and cultures in a global setting (and even a domestic setting with multicultural audiences)
  • Develop messaging and communication strategies for global audiences
  • Create effective messaging to advance the mission of an organization
  • Understand and utilize audience analysis tools and advertising methods to advance messaging
  • Explore empirical research in mass communications
In this online Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication program, you will:+
  • Understand the role of intellectual property in the international arena
  • Investigate case studies and challenges in messaging across language and cultures in a global setting (and even a domestic setting with multicultural audiences)
  • Develop messaging and communication strategies for global audiences
  • Create effective messaging to advance the mission of an organization
  • Understand and utilize audience analysis tools and advertising methods to advance messaging
  • Explore empirical research in mass communications

As a graduate, you will be prepared for career advancement into communication roles, including:

  • Communications Manager / Communications Director
  • Nonprofit Communications Director
  • Public Affairs Manager / Public Relations Manager
  • International Brand Manager
  • Global Marketing Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • Content Marketing Manager / Content Strategist
As a graduate, you will be prepared for career advancement into communication roles, including:+
  • Communications Manager / Communications Director
  • Nonprofit Communications Director
  • Public Affairs Manager / Public Relations Manager
  • International Brand Manager
  • Global Marketing Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • Content Marketing Manager / Content Strategist
+

Also available:

If you’re weighing your options within Strategic Communication tracks or in related degrees, explore the additional programs below:

Total Tuition: $10,500
Program Duration: As few as 10 months
Credit Hours 30
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

How much does the online M.S. in Strategic Communications – Global Strategic Communication cost?

Our Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the course tuition for all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $350
Total Tuition: $10,500

Calendar

When can you start the online M.S. in Strategic Communications – Global Strategic Communication?

Our Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple starts each year.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/272/22/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/28/26
Start Class 1/11/27

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Apply Now

Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the online M.S. in Strategic Communications – Global Strategic Communication?

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Students who are interested in our Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Students interested in this program must meet the following requirements for admission.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Official Transcripts
  • 2.5 GPA
View all admission requirements +

  • Complete online application and submit a nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA or a 2.75 in the last 60 hours (undergraduate, graduate or combination thereof) or graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree from a regionally accredited (U.S.) institution
    Note: If you are admitted and have less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA and less than a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours, you must make a grade of B or better in each course during the first 9 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University as part of a conditional admission status.
  • Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institutions.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

Courses

What courses are in the online M.S. in Strategic Communications – Global Strategic Communication curriculum?

The Master of Science in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication online program requires 30 credit hours of coursework. Students will take 5 required core courses (15 credit hours), select either STCM 6033 or MDIA 6423 (3 credit hours), and four additional Global Strategic Communication emphasis courses (12 credit hours).

You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All

Students must take the following five courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of the tools and techniques of empirical research as they may be applied to mass communications.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Using social scientific research methods for audience/consumer analysis, this course provides a survey of applications of research in media industries. Pragmatic task activities will be conducted via Nielsen, Arbitron, SRDS and related data sources to find audience market insights.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced study of the principles and practice of advertising account management. Includes an in-depth analysis of advantages and disadvantages of multiple media platforms and strategic communication in communicating messages to diverse target audiences and a discussion of effective and ethical client relationships.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The role of strategic communications in and for organizations and brands, including communications objective(s), target audience(s), and key messages. Addresses application of communication theory and research related to public relations, advertising, and social media.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will investigate a real-world strategic communication issue, formulating solutions, recommendations and strategies that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Course will be taken the final term of completing degree requirements. Restricted to MS in Strategic Communication students.

Students must select one of the following courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Current and emerging issues in communications policy and regulation, including privacy, libel, FTC and FCC regulations, First Amendment issues, copyright and trademarks.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will focus on development of entrepreneurial products by taking an idea from conception to production completion while practicing aspects of management, financing, and entrepreneurship. Students will address communication industry dilemmas that address creative product development.​

Students must take the following three STCM courses (9 credit hours) and choose one of the three COMS courses (3 credit hours) below for a total of 12 credit hours.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination of the International Intellectual Property System (IIPS) and its development in response to international trade and digital innovations. Subject areas include a primary focus on copyright and trademark with some coverage of patent law.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Survey of global strategic communication. Addresses case studies and campaigns in creating and disseminating messages across language, technology, and cultures for organizational issue management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theory and practice in development communication. Includes a focus on processes and systems of communications for social change and advocacy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Identification of barriers, and breakdowns to communication among cultures.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Dynamics and theories of communication within an organization.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course will introduce students to intercultural communication and function of organization communication in the workplace, addressing how effective communication within organizations affects business and how to advance intercultural skills while being aware of different world views.

Built for Your Schedule, Not Your Zip Code

Arkansas State University’s online M.S. in Strategic Communications with an Emphasis in Global Strategic Communication is built for working professionals anywhere in the U.S. who want a graduate credential without relocating to Jonesboro. Because the program is completed entirely online and every U.S. resident pays the same tuition ($10,500 total), your location does not limit your access. Coursework covers messaging across languages, cultures and technologies, skills that apply whether your employer is local or global. Students in or near Arkansas can also draw on the state’s employer network, including multinational companies headquartered there such as Walmart and Tyson Foods. Arkansas National Guard members may qualify for the state’s National Guard Tuition Waiver; see State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

FAQ

Global Strategic Communication Master’s Online FAQs

Intro copy

Both emphases are 30 credit hours at $10,500, can be completed in as few as 10 months and share the same five-course core and the same required choice between Communication Regulation and Policy and Media Entrepreneurship. The difference is the last 12 credit hours. The General emphasis lets students choose four electives from a broad list of course options. The Global emphasis fixes three of the four: Global Strategic Communication (STCM 66343), Development Communication (STCM 66353) and International Intellectual Property Law (STCM 55133), plus one of three COMS courses.
Students choose one of three. Intercultural Communication (COMM 51273) covers barriers and breakdowns in communication among cultures. Organizational Communication (COMM 54003) covers the dynamics and theories of communication within an organization. Organizational and Intercultural Communication (COMM 66403) combines both, introducing intercultural communication and the function of organizational communication in the workplace. Students aiming at cross-cultural campaigns lean toward the first or third; students aiming at corporate or institutional communication lean toward the second or third.
No language or international-experience requirement is required. The coursework studies messaging across languages and cultures through case studies and campaigns, including domestic settings with multicultural audiences.
International Intellectual Property Law (STCM 55133) examines the international intellectual property system and its development in response to international trade and digital innovations, with a primary focus on copyright and trademark and some coverage of patent law. It is required in the Global emphasis, and it is also an elective in the General emphasis and the M.A. in Communication Studies and is included in the Information Technology Law & Policy emphasis.

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