Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication (MS-SDC)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Drexel University

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication at Drexel University prepares students for professional and leadership roles in the rapidly evolving communication industry. The programme combines strategic communication, public relations, digital media, and social media communication with advanced studies in communication theory, ethics, media policy, and organisational leadership, helping students develop the skills to manage communication campaigns, build organisational reputations, create digital content, and lead communication teams.

Curriculum Structure

The programme offers a flexible 45-credit curriculum under the current quarter-system catalogue, comprising seven core courses (21 credits), four communication electives (12 credits), and four graduate-level free electives (12 credits). Students can study full-time or part-time, either on campus or online, and full-time on-campus students can choose the graduate co-op option.

Year 1: Students establish a foundation in professional communication through courses such as Reading and Research in Communication, Theories of Communication and Persuasion, and Ethics for Professional Communication. They explore how communication theories influence audience behaviour, how organisations manage communication in digital environments, and how ethical principles guide professional messaging. Additional courses such as Media Environments in a Digital World, Media and Communication Policy in a Digitized World, and Organizational Communication in Project Management help students understand digital media platforms, communication regulations, and organisational strategy. Students also begin selecting electives in public relations, social media, digital publishing, and content production according to their career interests.

Year 2: Students strengthen their specialist knowledge through advanced communication electives and interdisciplinary graduate courses. Subjects such as Strategic Social Media Communication, Public Relations Planning, Crisis Communication, Media Relations in a Digital Age, and Nonprofit Communication help students develop practical skills in campaign management, reputation building, audience engagement, and organisational messaging. Students can also explore Digital Publishing, Creative Content Production, and Social Media Concepts That Matter to develop their digital communication capabilities. Full-time on-campus students may complete a six-month graduate co-op experience, while other students fulfil the programme's professional experience requirement through relevant internships or communication-related employment.

Focus Areas

Strategic Communication
Public Relations and Media Relations
Digital and Social Media Communication
Nonprofit Communication
Crisis Communication and Reputation Management
Digital Publishing and Content Production
Organisational Communication
Communication Research and Media Policy
Communication Leadership and Project Management

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply communication theories to professional situations, design strategic communication campaigns, manage digital communication platforms, evaluate media environments, understand communication ethics and policy, create effective professional messages, analyse audience behaviour, and lead communication teams. They also develop the ability to adapt communication strategies to emerging technologies, changing media environments, and diverse organisational and cultural contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is an academically oriented professional master's degree offered by Drexel University's Department of Communication within the College of Arts and Sciences. Its curriculum emphasises professional communication, public relations, digital media, communication ethics, and leadership development. No separate programme-specific professional accreditation is identified in the official university catalogue.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings)

Drexel University is recognised for its experiential education approach, particularly its cooperative education model, which connects academic learning with professional employment. The MS-SDC programme extends this approach to graduate students through its optional co-op pathway, allowing eligible full-time, on-campus students to gain professional experience with employers. The university's Department of Communication also highlights industry connections with organisations such as Comcast, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical professional experience by applying communication theories and digital media strategies to real organisational challenges. Drexel University emphasises experiential education through its graduate co-op option, professional internships, communication projects, and industry engagement. Students can develop their skills in public relations, digital content production, social media strategy, crisis communication, and organisational communication while building connections with employers in Philadelphia and beyond.

Key experiential learning opportunities and resources include:

Graduate Co-op Programme: Full-time, on-campus students can participate in Drexel's graduate co-op programme, gaining approximately six months of professional experience with companies and organisations. This experience counts towards the programme's professional experience requirement.
Professional Internship: Students who do not select the co-op option are expected to complete the equivalent of six months of full-time communication-related professional experience. They may complete this through one or several full-time or part-time positions.
Steinbright Career Development Center: This centre supports graduate co-op opportunities through employer connections, career preparation, professional development, and assistance with identifying suitable placements.
Strategic Communication Projects: Students can apply their knowledge through coursework involving public relations writing, campaign planning, media relations, crisis communication, and nonprofit communication.
Digital Content Production: Courses such as Creative Content Production and Digital Publishing provide opportunities to develop professional digital communication and content creation skills.
Social Media Communication: Students explore strategic social media communication, digital audience engagement, and the role of social platforms in organisational communication.
Industry Connections: Drexel's Department of Communication maintains connections with media organisations such as Comcast, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS, providing exposure to the professional media environment.
Interdisciplinary Study: Students can use graduate electives from other university departments to develop additional expertise or pursue a graduate minor or certificate in an area related to their professional interests.
Professional Development: Students choosing the co-op pathway complete COOP 500, Career Management and Professional Development for Master's Degree Students, to prepare for their professional placement.

Facilities and professional resources: The programme primarily emphasises coursework, internships, co-op experiences, and professional communication projects rather than a dedicated graduate laboratory. Drexel's Department of Communication and Steinbright Career Development Center provide relevant academic and career resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MS-SDC programme can pursue careers in public relations, corporate communication, digital marketing, social media management, nonprofit communication, and media strategy. The programme develops strategic thinking, digital communication, content production, and leadership capabilities, preparing students for positions such as public relations manager, digital communications specialist, social media strategist, corporate communications specialist, and communication campaign manager.

Students can strengthen their career prospects through the following opportunities:

Career Development Services: Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center provides professional development support, employer connections, co-op preparation, and career guidance to help students identify suitable employment opportunities.
Graduate Co-op Experience: Eligible full-time, on-campus students can gain six months of professional experience through the graduate co-op programme, helping them build workplace skills and establish industry connections before graduation.
Media Industry Connections: The Department of Communication highlights connections with Comcast, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS, providing exposure to major media organisations and professional communication environments.
Strategic Communication Careers: Graduates can pursue positions in public relations agencies, corporate communication departments, nonprofit organisations, government communication offices, and marketing companies.
Digital Media Careers: The programme's digital communication focus prepares students for opportunities in social media strategy, digital publishing, content development, online audience engagement, and digital communication management.
Leadership Development: Coursework in organisational communication, project management, communication ethics, and professional identity prepares graduates to manage communication initiatives and lead professional teams.
Interdisciplinary Qualifications: Students can use their graduate electives to pursue an additional graduate minor or certificate, strengthening their expertise in related professional areas.
Professional Experience Requirement: The six-month internship or co-op requirement helps students develop practical experience that can support their transition into communication-related employment.

Employment and Salary Information: Drexel's official programme information describes the professional opportunities and experiential learning pathways available to graduates, but a specific programme-level employment rate or median salary figure was not identified. Salary expectations will vary according to the job role, experience, employer, and location.

Further Academic Progression:

Students interested in continuing their academic journey can pursue doctoral studies in Communication, Media Studies, Digital Media, or related interdisciplinary fields. At Drexel University, the Ph.D. in Communication, Culture, and Media is a relevant option for graduates interested in advanced research into communication, media, cultural studies, and social change. Graduates may also explore doctoral programmes in Strategic Communication, Media and Communication Studies, or Digital Humanities at other universities.