MS in Strategic Integrated Communication

Fall 2026 admission is now open; spring admission will begin for spring 2028

The Strategic Integrated Communication Master of Science is an eight-course, 32-unit online degree designed for communication professionals, recent graduates, and those seeking to build expertise in integrating diverse communication disciplines. Offered fully online as well as synchronously and asynchronously, the program provides maximum flexibility—allowing students to advance their careers without pausing their professional lives. Boston University’s College of Communication is uniquely positioned to offer this program, drawing on the strengths of its existing majors in media science, advertising, and public relations. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on, applied learning, equipping students with practical skills in research, AI, campaign strategy, content creation, social media management, crisis and leadership communication, and data analytics.

This master’s degree reflects the changing world of communication where research, advertising, and public relations work in sync to create effective communication campaigns, helping organizations develop strategies to effectively communicate with key stakeholders and target audiences. In addition, it aims to help professionals overcome the challenges they face in strategic communication so they can further their careers.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn how public relations, advertising, marketing, branding, and research work together in a strategic integrated communication function to help an organization achieve its goals and/or business outcomes.
• Develop broad communication skills applicable to paid, earned, shared, and owned media, as well as branding and reputation management, to strategically persuade audiences.
• Deepen C-suite influence and persuasion through leadership communication, including crisis communication, change management, thought leadership, and internal communication.
• Learn the tools, systems, and human aspects of project management in agencies and matrixed organizations.
• Uplevel writing capabilities to achieve greater influence in high-stakes communication scenarios among diverse audiences.
• Master research methods to be able to design audience-specific strategies and social listening frameworks and prove ROI.
• Learn how to power performance by applying AI and new technologies in strategic communication scenarios.
• Understand career pathways and requirements to advance strategically to the C-suite or in consultancy opportunities.

Requirements

To earn the Master of Science in Strategic Integrated Communication, students will complete eight 7-week courses. These courses are strategically grouped to provide a strong foundation, then layer on upleveling tactical skills for competitive advantage, deepening C-suite influence and persuasion, and master and application for career management:

• COM CM 620 Foundations of Strategic Communication (4 units)
• COM CM 621 Research Methods for Strategic Communication Campaigns (4 units)
• COM CM 622 Strategic Writing for Influence (4 units)
• COM CM 623 Strategic Branding (4 units)
• COM CM 624 Content and Project Management (4 units)
• COM CM 625 Leadership Communication (4 units)
• COM CM 626 AI and New Technologies (4 units)
• COM CM 691 Careers and Capstone (4 units)

Additional Information

This is a part-time, fully online program where students have the opportunity to earn their master’s degree in 16 months (typically two 7-week courses per term for four terms, including summer months). Students may enter the program at the beginning of the fall or spring term. Due to the rapidly changing field of communication, we would limit completion to no more than four years.

Admissions Information

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university to participate in this program. There are no GREs required.

Admissions to this program will follow the same committee review structure of COM’s master’s programs. The application process will be revised to the following:

• Online application
• Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended
• One letter of recommendation/reference letter
• Résumé/CV
• English proficiency exam (for international applicants from a non-English-speaking institution: waivers may be granted from those applicants to the Master of Science in Strategic Integrated Communication who can provide evidence of English-language proficiency)
• Essay of 500 words or fewer showing how they plan to incorporate this master’s degree into their future work in communications