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Concentrations
Tailor Your Degree to Your Goals
The Public Communication faculty has created concentrations that will allow you to focus your studies in your areas of interest. Although you are not required to pick a concentration, they are an ideal way for students to build upon areas of expertise and showcase that expertise on your resume, online portfolios, LinkedIn and other social media profiles.
Students must take a minimum of three courses in a topic area to list a concentration.
Advocacy & Social Impact
- COMM-533 Ethics in Strategic Communication
- COMM-540 Social Marketing for Social Impact
- COMM-543 Speech Writing
- COMM-551 Grassroots Digital Advocacy
- COMM-564 Documentary Storytelling for Social Change
- COMM-567 Communication and Social Change
- COMM-580 Strategic Health Communication
- COMM-608 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-639 Political Communication
Digital Communication Strategies & Analytics
- COMM-533 Ethics in Strategic Communication
- COMM-551 Grassroots Digital Advertising
- COMM-573 Visual Design in Strategic Communication
- COMM-602 Digital Media Literacy and Skills
- COMM-603 Web Development
- COMM-608 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-620 Content Creation for Strategic Communication
- COMM-658 Strategic Communication Campaigns: Ad Lab
Corporate Communication & Reputation Management
- COMM-533 Ethics in Strategic Communication
- COMM-542 Media Relations
- COMM-543 Speechwriting
- COMM-573 Visual Design in Strategic Communication
- COMM-601 Communication Law
- COMM-608 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-620 Reputation Management
- COMM-641 Crisis Communication
- COMM-642 Strategic Communication Management
- COMM-649 International Strategic Communication
- COMM-658 Strategic Communication Campaigns: Ad Lab
International Strategic Communication
- COMM-533 Ethics in Strategic Communication
- COMM-551 Grassroots Digital Advocacy
- COMM-567 Communication and Social Change
- COMM-602 Digital Media Literacy and Skills
- COMM-608 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-632 Backpack Video Journalism
- COMM-641 Crisis Communication
- COMM-643 Foreign Policy and the Press
- COMM-649 International Strategic Communication
Only the Advocacy & Social Impact and Digital Communication Strategies & Analytics concentrations are available for online candidates at this time.
Comparison of On-Campus and Online Programs
Which Program is Right for You?
- Credits required
- On-Campus & Online: 30
- Time to complete
- On-Campus: 12 months
- Online: 20 months
- Course frequency
- On-Campus: Full-time: Four 3-credit courses per 16-week semester (Two courses in the summer). Academic Calendar.
- Online: One 3-credit course every 8 weeks/ two courses per 16-week semester. Academic Calendar.
- Class start dates
- On-Campus: Fall term
- Online: Fall, Spring and Summer terms
- Admissions deadlines
- On-Campus: Feb. 1 (For priority and award consideration) June 1 for late admissions
- Online: Priority Deadlines per term - Fall term: July 15; Spring term: November 15; Summer term: March 15
- Class times
- On-Campus: Fixed per academic schedule
- Online: Flexible per your schedule (asynchronous)
- Cost per credit hour
- On-Campus & Online: $1,812 (based on 2020-2021 cost per credit hour)
- Financial Awards
- On-Campus: Up to $15,000 (scholarship, tuition remission, graduate assistant)
- Online: Up to $10,000 (scholarship only)
- Concentrations
- On-Campus: Advocacy & Social Impact, Corporate Communication & Reputation Management, Digital Communication Strategies & Analytics, International Strategic Communication
- Online: Advocacy & Social Impact, Digital Communication Strategies & Analytics
- Electives
- On-Campus: Take up to two on-campus courses in SOC or other schools. Take up to two online courses
- Online: Take up to two on-campus courses in SOC or other schools
- Career Development
- On-Campus & Online: Access to AU Career Services, Alumni mentorship
- AU Library
- On-Campus & Online: Access to library and online resources
- Student Services
- On-Campus & Online: Access to Writing Center
Creating Pathways for Social Change

Taylor Battle, SOC/MA '17
Communication is essential to moving audiences and influencing public policy.
Taylor Battle was inspired to use her strategic communication skills to be a pioneer for social change. Understanding that communication is essential to moving audiences and influencing public policy, she developed campaigns that address issues in social justice, the environment, global health, and education. Leveraging her experiences in politics, social change, and her AU education, she effects change in her job as an analyst for the Pathways Program with the Government of the District of Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to have a concentration?
You are not required to pick a concentration, but if you do have a particular area of interest or expertise, you can choose to concentrate your studies by taking three courses in one of the following four areas: Advocacy and Social Impact; Digital Communication Strategies & Analytics; Corporate Communication and Reputation Management; or Public Diplomacy and Global Affairs. A concentration can open you up to myriad career options.
Can I complete my degree online?
Yes, you can! With our online MA in Strategic Communication, we're bringing the same dynamic learning opportunities as in our full-time and part-time programs to you, wherever you live. Our program allows you to learn on your own schedule via an engaging and interactive online learning platform. You'll learn to tell compelling stories, craft messages that lead to action, and harness the power of new media and technology. Our students learn through simulations, applying best practices to new technology and media channels. The program has its own application process, but admission requirements and degree and course requirements are the same as for the full-time and part-time programs. However, the only degree concentrations available online at this time are Digital Communication Strategies & Analytics and Advocacy & Social Impact. Courses are offered in an eight-week accelerated format-you'll take two courses each semester, with the goal of completing the program within a 20-month period. You must be accepted into the Online MA in Strategic Communication Program to enroll in online courses. Request more information.
Are your programs accredited?
Our on-campus master's degree is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). We are 1 of only 5 ACEJMC-accredited master's programs in strategic communication and/or public relations and the only one in Washington, DC. (These numbers change slightly all the time; a full list of accredited programs can be found on the ACEJMC website).
While the online program is not currently ACEJMC accredited, we have ensured that the content, rigor, and expectations of the online program meet those standards, as well as the higher expectations of the School of Communication and American University.
Additionally, American University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Therefore, all programs offered at AU are recognized by the federal government, most U.S. employers, and other accredited institutions.
What are the expected outcomes of this program?
- Develop a communication campaign or plan that incorporates the key elements of planning, including situation analysis, research, objectives, strategies, target audiences, key messages, tactics, timeline, and evaluation
- Understand the role of qualitative and quantitative research in strategic communication, and how to apply the findings
- Think analytically about communication problems and identify creative solutions
- Write clearly, concisely, and strategically in a range of formats and media
- Understand the role of digital strategy and technology tools in integrated communication campaigns
- Communicate confidently and persuasively
- Use theory, best practices, and the latest research in the field to inform communication practice and scholarship
Still have questions? Send us an email: GradComm@american.edu