Drexel’s Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication (MS-SDC) prepares students for leadership roles in today’s fast-paced, digital communication landscape. Offered both fully online and in person, the program provides the flexibility to fit your schedule, whether you're advancing your career or entering the field.

The MS-SDC program focuses on two key areas:

• Strategic Communication (including Public Relations and Non-profit Communication)
• Digital Communication (including Social Media Communication)

Students gain a strong foundation in communication theory, ethics, and media policy, allowing them to adapt to evolving technologies and media environments in the ever-evolving Communication industry. The curriculum emphasizes leadership development, preparing graduates to guide teams and drive strategy across industries and platforms.

At Drexel, you’ll build the skills to become a forward-thinking communication professional who is ready to shape messages, manage reputations, and lead in a digital world.

ONLINE PROGRAM

Program Format

• Rolling admissions
• Convenient evening classes
• Attend full- or part-time
• Online or on-campus options
• Earn 45 graduate credits
• Complete in just over a year (full-time)

Program Deadlines

The deadlines below are the dates by which applications must be submitted and all application requirements received.

• Fall (Domestic Phl/Onl) - July 1 (Priority); August 1
• Fall (International Phl) - May 1
• Spring (Domestic and International Phl/Onl) - November 1
• Summer (Domestic Phl/Onl) - April 1
• No International Summer Phl Intake.

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Program Overview

With a robust core curriculum consisting of seven courses (21 credits), the program provides a strong grounding in theoretical approaches to communication, ethics and media/communication policy. This theoretical basis is designed to ensure that, as the field changes, you will continue to have an intellectual framework for evaluating and implementing new technologies and adapting to changing media environments. Furthermore, the program fosters leadership skills that will help you lead teams to be innovative communication professionals in digitized media environments and different organizational communication contexts.

The Masters of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication (MS-SDC) degree emphasizes flexibility, encouraging you, in consultation with your faculty adviser, to craft an individual course of study tailored to your interests and career goals. Throughout the curriculum, you will use four Communication electives (12 credits) to increase communication skills or to further develop areas of specialization. An additional four free elective courses (12 credits) can be taken in Communication or in other departments across the University. This allows you to continue to tailor your plan of study, to add on a graduate minor, or to complete a certificate program.

Program Focus Areas

Strategic communication

Strategic communication has much to offer for those looking to work in public relations as well as with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. You’ll choose from courses such as PR Writing and Planning courses, Crisis Communication, Media Relations, Nonprofit Communication and others.

Digital communication

With communication increasingly becoming digitized, the program offers courses such as Strategic Social Media Communication, Digital Publishing, Digital Media Environments, Social Media Concepts That Matter and others.

Drexel Co-op for Graduate Students

Drexel’s strengths as a leader in experiential education are now enhancing graduate student training with the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication (MS-SDC) graduate co-op option. The graduate co-op program offers full time, in person MS-SDC students a unique opportunity to earn valuable professional experience at top-rated companies that counts toward their master’s plan of study. The extensive networks developed by the Steinbright Career Development Center, Drexel's Department of Communication, and area companies provide a wealth of opportunities for co-op employment both near and far.

Learn more about graduate co-op

Program Outcomes

• Learn from outstanding faculty members who either hold a PhD or possess considerable industry experience
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of communication practices in a digitized world
• Locate, critically assess and communicate about scholarly literature, concepts, theories and methods in the field of communication
• Apply major concepts and theories in the production of professional messages in a digital age
• Master clear and effective communication of ideas across all communication platforms and environments in a changing digital media landscape
• Analyze the impact that digitization and related changes in technology have on thinking, learning, remembering and creating, and possess the professional ability to adapt to new technology for new applications
• Integrate awareness of diverse audiences, cultures and environments into learning and professional experiences, and to apply these to professional communication contexts
• Recognize relevant industries, policies and professional organizations in the digital media realm
• Understand professional ethical standards and showcase competence to critically assess and apply these
• Apply leadership skills to become forward-thinking professionals that can lead communication teams in digital media and communication environments