Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communication online

Apply By: 8/1/25

Start Class: 8/18/25

Apply Now

Program Overview

Advance your career with a master’s in strategic and organizational communication

$13,950^* Total Tuition

As few as 12 months Program Duration

30 Credit Hours

Rise as a leader who can expertly disseminate information, resolve conflicts and build successful cultures across both the private and public sectors. The Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communication online is an equal mix of public relations, advertising and strategic communication with a focus on leadership. It is ideal for those who want to become more effective communication practitioners or are interested in teaching communications at the college level. This versatile degree enables you to shape your career in various ways, adapting to different fields and opportunities.

Gain key insights into organizational communication, social media and public relations acumen, including strategic planning, conflict resolution, crisis management, digital media and analytics. Tailor your master’s in strategic communications online to your professional interests with coursework in nonprofit communication, instructional communication and technology, special topics related to professional and academic settings or an independent study project.

Upon completion of the online master’s in strategic and organizational communication, you will be able to:

Demonstrate and apply effective written, oral and computer-mediated communication skills to achieve objectives and resolve issues in real-world situations
Develop and apply analytical insights in professional and academic settings
Apply leadership, management, conflict resolution and strategic planning competencies from both theoretical and practical perspectives to logically solve problems and build effective teams across diverse organizations
Understand and utilize crisis management, social media and nonprofit management skills

As a graduate of this online MA program, you will be qualified for various roles in leadership such as:

Marketing Director
Public Relations Director
Nonprofit/Development
Web Content Manager
Research and Development Manager
Advertising Manager

The University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, contact the Higher Learning Commission at hlcommission.org.

Also available:

USI also offers multiple liberal arts concentrations online. Check out all our College of Liberal Arts online programs.

$13,950^* Total Tuition

As few as 12 months Program Duration

30 Credit Hours

The Online MBA in a Few Words

Listen to successful graduates and students describe their experience in the USI online MBA program.

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Need more information?

Call 844-515-9104844-515-9104

Tuition

Preview our budget-friendly tuition

USI is committed to providing an outstanding education that is also affordable. Tuition is structured to give our students the best value and flexibility.

Tuition Breakdown

$465^* Per Credit Unit

$13,950^* Total Tuition

For more information about tuition, fees and other costs, visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance page.

*Tuition applicable for current start dates and is subject to change. Any questions regarding tuition should be directed to the Bursar's Office. If you step out of the program, returning to the program may have different tuition and fees applied.

Application Fee

Application fee: $40

Active military service members and veterans receive an admission fee waiver. Simply apply online and select the "military waiver" option, then contact our office at 800-467-1965 so we may submit the proper forms to Graduate Studies.

Billing and Payment Schedule

https://www.usi.edu/bursar/billing-and-payments

Financial Aid

The first step in applying for financial aid is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your FAFSA must be received by the federal processing center by April 15th each year to be considered for state financial aid as well as federal financial aid. USI's Federal School Code is 001808. You will need an FSA ID to electronically sign your FASFA. If you do not have an FSA ID, you may create one at StudentAid.gov.

Once you are admitted to the program and we receive your FAFSA, you can see the financial aid you qualify for and accept or decline your Direct Student Loan on your myUSI. For more information about tuition reimbursement or financial resources that may be available to you, visit our Student Financial Assistance page, access our Financial Aid FAQs, or contact us.

Student Financial Assistance Office

Local Phone: 812-464-1767
Toll Free Phone: 800-467-1965
Fax: 812-461-5305

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CDT)

Tuition Breakdown:

$465^* Per Credit Hour

$13,950^* Total Tuition

Calendar

Take a look at the calendar to see our next start date

Now is the time to start earning your MA online and take the fast track to a more successful career. USI provides you with the convenience of an accelerated application-to-start calendar.

Now Enrolling

8/1/25 Next Application Due Date

8/18/25 Next Class Start Date

View full calendar +

Billing and Payment Schedule - Please visit https://www.usi.edu/bursar/bill-and-payment-schedule/

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Now Enrolling:

8/1/25 Next Application Deadline

8/18/25 Start Classes

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from USI?

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Admissions

We’ve simplified the application process for the MA in Strategic Organizational Communication program

The University of Southern Indiana’s online MA in Strategic and Organizational Communication has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

Undergraduate Degreea completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
GPA minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
Receive Creditsfor prior learning

Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission to USI’s MA in Strategic and Organizational Communication program:

Completed bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Students in the process of completing their undergraduate degree can seek conditional admission and enroll in two courses (six hours of credit). If a B or better is earned in both courses, students will be accepted unconditionally upon conferral of their undergraduate degree
- Applicants not meeting other admission criteria may also be conditionally admitted. Conditionally admitted students may take two graduate-level courses (six hours of credit). If a B or better is earned in both courses, upon approval from the Director of the MA in Strategic and Organizational Communication, the student will be admitted unconditionally
Submit an online application and $40 application fee
Submit all transcripts to Graduate Studies
- Official transcripts are required only from the institution at which your highest degree was earned. Electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed from the previous institution to [email protected].
- Unofficial transcripts from other institutions attended can be submitted via email by the applicant to [email protected]
- Applicants who wish to seek transfer credit for graduate coursework must submit an official transcript from the institution where that work was completed

Universities that are unable to send transcripts electronically may mail transcripts to this address:

USI Graduate Studies
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712

Read the full transcript policy by clicking here
International applicants may be required to submit additional information

Students may transfer up to nine graduate credit hours, provided the courses are relevant and completed within the past seven years with a satisfactory grade.

Courses

Choose the communication courses that fit your goals and interests

To complete this master’s degree program, students must select 10 of the courses below to complete 30 credit hours. Students who are interested in higher education teaching may want to consider taking COMM 607: Applied Practices in Instructional Communication, COMM 617: Instructional Communication and COMM 670: Special Topics in Instructional Communication.

Expand All

Strategic and Organizational Communication Courses

Students must take 10 of the following courses. If you plan to teach in higher education, COMM 607, COMM 617 and COMM 670 are recommended.

COMM 607: Applied Practices in Inst. Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce students to the practical issues of course management, delivery methods, and assessment based on pedagogical theories and best practices.

COMM 614: Problematic Workplace Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a review of the research and applied approaches to organizational communication. This course includes an examination of the process of selecting appropriate communication channels, a consideration of the ways in which meaning, both verbal and nonverbal, is conveyed, and an exploration of ways in which communication can help alleviate typical interpersonal problems within organizations.

COMM 617: Instructional Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This seminar will focus on research related to communication practices in educational settings. Students will engage in research practices to understand communication concepts related to teacher and student behaviors, learning, instructional processes, instructional technology, and instructional communication theory building,

COMM 620: Special Topics in Organizational Communication. (Repeatable for Credit with New Topic)

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This seminar centers on practical concepts related to communication in organizations. Course topics may include training and development, assimilation, innovation, identity and stigma in organizations, work life-family balance, power in organizational setting or other topics in organizational communication.

COMM 621: Strategic Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines research methods and theories to understand, plan, implement, and assess public relations strategies. The course addresses a variety of topics, including digital media, web monitoring, and social media analytics, reputation management, and/or working with the media.

COMM 623: Leadership and Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers leadership theory and practice in a variety of contexts. In addition to principles of leadership, the course will examine different leadership approaches, the relationship between culture and leadership, leadership and ethics, and leadership and diversity.

COMM 624: Nonprofit and Association Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course explores communication in nonprofit organizations, institutions, foundations, and associations. After addressing the historical foundations and implicit ideology of the nonprofit sector in the U.S., the course examines nonprofit organizations and concludes with a survey of essential communication tasks - marketing, working with volunteers, fundraising, grant writing, capacity building, and education and community outreach.

COMM 628: Crisis Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine several lines of research from multiple disciplines that influence communication during disasters, crises, and emergencies. This course may explore crisis communication from an organizational and/or public relations perspective; risk perception and communication; the role of social media and emerging technologies in disasters and emergencies; media coverage of disasters; and communication and recovery, resilience, antifragility, and growth.

COMM 631: Organizational Advocacy

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This seminar investigates how organizations reinforce particular organizational values and goals, generate collective identities, and motivate others to work to influence public attitudes.

COMM 633: Applied Communication Ethics

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course explores the theoretical and philosophical perspectives of applied communication ethics. Emphasis will be given to ethical issues within the workplace.

COMM 634: Social Media Strategies

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a broad introduction to the empirical and theoretical study of social media. In this course, we will explore how social media affects our identities, interactions, organizations, and society. This course will focus on the organizational use of social media to communicate, connect, and engage with audiences.

COMM 640: Independent Study in Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides students in the Master of Arts in Communication program the opportunity to conduct basic or applied research or scholarly engagement on a topic or problem in communication that is not otherwise covered in the curriculum.

COMM 670: Special Topics in Instructional Communication

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This seminar focuses on a number of factors that impact teaching and learning in educational settings. Course topics may include instructional applications of technology, teacher immediacy, communication apprehension, source credibility and message construction, assessment and curricula design, and other topics associated with communication education.

"When I was in the MBA program, we actually looked into the logic and the qualitative aspects of, 'Okay, here's the math, but does this decision actually make sense?' As a business, there are always other factors, so that was really good for me."

– Stevie Lynch

"I was able to balance my personal life and my career as well as all of my coursework."

– Sarah Matthews, MBA online graduate

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Session	Course Start	Application Deadline	Document Deadline	Registration Deadline
Fall I	8/18/25	8/1/25	8/8/25	8/15/25
Fall II	10/20/25	10/3/25	10/10/25	10/17/25