Master of Arts in Communication

Communication professionals are uniquely positioned to focus on the human side of any organization by tackling today’s most compelling issues.  Preparing students to take their place in this fast-paced world is the goal of the Drury’s MA in Communication program.

Program Focus:

The MA in Communication is a versatile graduate degree offering knowledge and skill development in the areas of organizational change, organizational leadership, ethical decision making, social media strategy, and strategic issues and crisis management. The program features:

• A Communication Consulting course to assist students in translating their expertise into applied contexts.
• Faculty from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds who are dedicated to student success.
• Small class sizes that provide a challenging and personal learning experience.

Tailor Your Degree:

• Nine hours of elective credit allows students to craft a plan of study that reflects their personal and professional interests. Choose from courses in the areas of public relations, conflict management, organizational communication, integrated marketing communication, and nonprofit leadership including grant writing, nonprofit governance, fundraising, and financial oversight.
• You will work with a faculty advisor to select electives and plan a pathway to degree completion that fits with your schedule and goals.
• The program culminates in a capstone project showcasing a student’s applied problem-solving and research abilities.

Eligible Candidates:

We welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. A GRE score is not required.

Courses: Online + Synchronous

Flexible course delivery makes it possible for remote learners to access this degree. The program features of a mix of 100% online courses (asynchronous) and live virtual courses (synchronous) that meet in the evenings (5:20 – 8 p.m.) to accommodate the schedule of busy professionals. Student living near Drury’s main campus in Springfield, Mo., may choose in-person attendance at courses designated as evening “blended” classes.

Quick Facts

  Next Start Date: Fall or Spring

  Total classes:  10
  Weeks per class:  8 or 16
  Total credit hours: 30
  Delivery: Online or blended – your choice!
  Financial:  Student loan eligible
  Accredited:  Higher Learning Commission

Student Experience

• Blends theoretical understanding of ethical and effective communication principles with cutting-edge knowledge of new communication technologies and social media.

• Courses feature collaborative work with real community clients to solve real world problems in the nonprofit and corporate communities.

• Students will work closely with faculty who are drawn from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds dedicated to your success.

• Drury’s small class sizes, averaging only 15 students in a class, allows you to receive a challenging and personal learning experience.

M.A. Communication Alumni

• Projects connect students with peers, as well as various community and business leaders, creating extensive networking opportunities and life-long connections.

• Graduates hold key positions in sectors such as health technology, nonprofit management, digital marketing, development, and educational leadership.

• For more information on Drury alumni events and benefits, visit the Office of University Advancement

M.A. Communication Learning Outcomes and Assessment

1. Ethical Commitment: Graduates will demonstrate understanding of theories of effective and ethical communication and skills of ethical messaging.
2. Conceptual Maturity: Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of major theoretical and methodological frameworks for the explanation, evaluation and improvement of human communication phenomena.
3. Strategic Vision: Graduates will demonstrate ability to identify need, analyze opportunities, articulate vision and develop/execute appropriate strategies of integrated marketing communication and organizational leadership in multiple media.
4. Advocacy: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to write and speak in ways that inspire internal commitment and external belief and action.
5. Performance Measurement: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to establish and measure key performance metrics, and communicate results to stakeholders.

As no single measure provides sufficient evidence, assessment will be accomplished on project, course and programmatic levels. Each course will have learning objectives that tie to program outcomes, along with demonstration of the relevance of each individual learning experience to accomplishing those objectives. Professional and community partners will actively participate in annual external assessments of current students’ and graduates’ achievement of program learning outcomes and likelihood of future professional and/or scholarly accomplishment.

Don’t have time for a degree? Check out the Communication and Organizational Leadership Certificate.

Required Courses

Organizational Communication 12 hrs.

COMM 621
Seminar in Organizational Communication
3 hrs.

COMM 622
Organizational Development
3 hrs.

COMM 623
Organizational Policy & Internal Communication
3 hrs.

COMM 626
Being a Leader through Language
3 hrs.

Training & Development 9 hrs.

SCI 621
Education Technology
3 hrs.

SCI 633
Instructional Product Development
3 hrs.

COMM 625
Employee Education, Training, and Coaching
3 hrs.

Strategic Leadership 6 hrs.

Choose two (2) courses:

COMM 682
Social Media Strategy
3 hrs.

COMM 675
Independent Study in Communication
3 hrs.

COMM 690
Special Topics
3 hrs.

COMM 697
Internship
3 hrs.

MBA 645
Advanced Organizational Leadership
3 hrs.

MBA 647
Modern Challenges in Management
3 hrs.

MBA 601
Professional Excel
3 hrs.

MILE 630
Effective Project Management
3 hrs.

MILE 650
Ethics, Conflict, and Decision Making
3 hrs.

PSSL 610
Strategic Planning and Evaluation
3 hrs.

PSSL 620
Human Resource Management &
Employee Wellness
3 hrs.

PSSL 670
Leading Teams and Organizations
3 hrs.

Capstone Experience 3 hrs.

COMM 701
Organizational Communication Capstone
3 hrs.

Student Resources

• Academic Calendar
• Course Schedules
• Graduate Catalogs
• Library Portal