Courses and Concentrations

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MS in Communication Degree Concentrations

Below you will find the different concentrations for the MS in Communications Degree. To get more information on these concentrations, click one below to expand.

Given the growth and specialization of the communications industry, Purdue’s 100% online Master of Science in Communication speaks directly to the topics critical for advancement and provides a deeper focus with concentrations in four areas.

By selecting a concentration or customizing your degree, you’ll graduate with the expertise to take your career to new heights. You’ll complete the degree in just 12-20 months using what you learn to establish yourself—or cement your status—as a communication expert. 

Strategic Communication/Public Relations Concentration
Branding and Marketing Communication Concentration
Digital Media and Communication Technologies Concentration
Management Communication and Leadership Concentration
Health Communication Concentration

Plan of Study 

If you do not select a concentration, the degree plan of study is as below:

PLAN OF STUDY BY AREA

CREDITS

Core 9
Electives 21
Total
30

 

If you select a concentration, the degree plan of study is as below:

 between electives, concentration courses, 

PLAN OF STUDY BY AREA

CREDITS

Core 9
Electives 12
Concentration 9
Total
30

Below is a sample student plan of study.

Sample Plan of Study

AREA

COURSE

COURSE TITLE

CREDITS

Core COM 60111 Seminar in Strategic Communication 3
Core COM 60411 Seminar in Communication Research Methods 3
Core COM 61011 Strategic Communications and Ethics 3
Elective COM 60911 Strategic Public Relations 3
Elective COM 64400 Strategic Personal Branding 3
Elective COM 64600 Strategic Corporate Branding 3
Elective COM 65100 Organizational Culture and Internal Communication Course 3
Brand and Marketing Communication Concentration COM 64011 Seminar in Advertising 3
Brand and Marketing Communication Concentration COM 64100 Introduction to Brand and Marketing Communication 3
Brand and Marketing Communication Concentration COM 62111 Strategic Communication and Social Media 3

Courses and Curriculum

The selected coursework ensures you achieve a heightened understanding of communication and the tools needed to leverage effective messaging across any medium.

Students who wish to customize a learning track to meet their career goals with the 30 credit hour MS in Communication take three core courses and choose seven elective courses. If you opt to study a concentration, you’ll take three core courses, three concentration courses, and select four elective courses. Courses cannot be counted twice. Up to two concentrations are possible.

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Consider These Points When Selecting a Concentration

  • Your Natural Strengths and Interests. Note where work seems to “fit” you best. Where do you connect easily to information and generate ideas? What projects are you excited to work on? Conversely, what tasks do you find you drag your feet on? Make note of the “buckets” these fit into and look for commonalities that align to a concentration.
  • Social Media/Job Sites. Use LinkedIn and Indeed to further research roles, and find the ones that excite you the most. Look at the qualifications needed, and see how coursework can fulfill those qualifications.