Program Overview

AP Program Coordinator Jason Wrench, (845) 257-3499, wrenchj@newpaltz.edu
Program ID BA Com. Studies: Strategic Communication AP 505G, MA Strategic Communication AP 212
Credits UG Major 505G: 40cr (28cr UG + 12cr GR), GR Major 212: 33cr (12cr taken as UG + 21cr taken as GR)
Program Length The Accelerated Pathway program in Strategic Communication may be completed in 10 semesters, but students must complete the graduate degree within 7 years.
Modality The MA in Strategic Communication is Hybrid*.
Full-time/Part-time Full-time
Transfer Credits 12 graduate credits will be applied to both the BA and MA degree programs.
Capstone Thesis or Applied Research Project
*

The MA in Strategic Communication is a “low residency” program: most coursework can be completed online, but three on-campus weekends per semester give students access to campus resources and opportunities to collaborate with professors and a cohort of peers.

Program Description

This accelerated plan of study provides a pathway to earning a master’s degree in Strategic Communication along with a bachelor’s degree in any Communication Studies concentrations. Students enrolled in the BA/MA program complete 12 graduate-level credits during their senior year. These credits are offered at the reduced undergraduate tuition rate and fulfill both undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

The MA in Strategic Communications at SUNY New Paltz is a “low residency” program: most coursework can be completed online, but three on-campus weekends per semester give students access to campus resources and opportunities to collaborate with professors and a cohort of peers. The program offers conceptual and applied knowledge taught by scholars who study communication dynamics and by practitioners who put this knowledge into practice in industry. Throughout the program, students will develop their skills in identifying, analyzing, and solving communication problems across a wide range of contexts, with particular attention to non-profit organizations and issues of sustainability. Core courses provide students with a foundation of knowledge and tools for communication while electives offer the opportunity to pursue individualized and interdisciplinary plans of study. An approved internship may substitute for one elective course.

How does it work?

Get started as an undergraduate by declaring the Communication Studies: Strategic Communication AP concentration (505G):

  • Meet with AP advisor, Jason Wrench, to declare the Strategic Communication AP concentration.
  • Work with your AP advisor to select up to four graduate courses to take during your senior year.
  • Apply for the MA Strategic Communication AP program in your senior year.
  • Transfer up to 12 credits of graduate courses taken as an undergraduate into your graduate program.

Apply to a SUNY New Paltz graduate programGraduate Admission Requirements

Graduate admission requires submission of:

  • Graduate application - select major 212.
  • One set of official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate course work indicating at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA with a 3.5 GPA in Communication Studies major courses.
  • Grades of B or higher in MA courses taken as a senior.
  • 1 letter of recommendation.

Admission Deadlines

July 31 Fall Admission
January 1 Spring Admission
Accepting on a rolling basis until the program is full. However, applications must at least be started by the deadline or they will not be considered. 
 

Curriculum Requirements

BA Communication Studies: Strategic Communication AP (505G)

Communication Studies Core Curriculum (15 Credits)
CMM104Public Speaking 3
CMM202Interpersonal Communication 3
CMM315Introduction to Strategic Communication3
CMM353Persuasion and Social Influence3
CMM360Organizational Communication3
Strategic Communication Concentration
Professional Communication (3 Credits)
CMM231Writing for Public Relations3
Research Methods Course (3 Credits)
CMM352Qualitative Communication Research Methods3
or CMM354 Quantitative Communication Research Methods
Intermediate Concentration Core (9 Credits) Student may substitute up to 6 credits of graduate electives with advisor approval.
CMM312Design and Public Relations3
CMM316Strategic Public Relations Campaigns3
CMM500Strategic Communication *3
Graduate Electives (6 Credits)
Select two graduate electives with advisement.6
Capstone Seminar (4 Credits)
CMM456Seminar in Strategic Communication4
Total Credits40
*

The advisor may substitute a graduate elective in place of this requirement if CMM500 Strategic Communication is not offered when the student needs to take it. 

MA Strategic Communication AP (212)

Required Core Courses (12 Credits)
CMM500Strategic Communication3
CMM501Applied Communication Research Methods3
CMM502Organizational Writing and Design Across Media3
CMM780Thesis in Strategic Communication3
or CMM760 Applied Research Project in Strategic Communication
Elective Courses (21 Credits)
Select seven from: 121
CMM705
Collaboration, Leadership, and Facilitation
CMM706
Conflict, Mediation, and Negotiation
CMM709
Narrative, Identity, and Community
CMM712
Talent Development
CMM716
Talk Technology and Society
CMM720
Environmental Communication, Organizations, and Sustainability
CMM724
Nonprofit Leadership and Communication
CMM726
Organizational Reputation
CMM730
Global Communication
CMM791
Internship in Strategic Communication
Total Credits33
1

Graduate course electives taken as an undergraduate will be transferred into the MA program upon admission.

Academic Standing Requirements for Accelerated Pathway Students

A cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 in graduate-level courses taken in the undergraduate portion of an accelerated pathway program precludes the student’s good standing.  Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.75 to 2.99 are strongly advised to reconsider continuing into the graduate program.  Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.75 may not continue and will be de-matriculated from GR program. 

Graduation Checklist 

  • Resolve any pending admission conditions (outlined in your acceptance letter) and/or missing documents if applicable.  

  • Review your progress report via my.newpaltz.edu to ensure that you have completed all program requirements.   

  • Remember that only two grades below a B- may be applied to your plan of study  

  • Contact your advisor if you need to amend your plan or process transfer credit.  

  • Ensure that you are in good academic standing with a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0 or higher.  

  • Pass your capstone or culminating assessment.  

BA in Communication Studies Program Learning Outcomes 

Disciplinary context: articulate core questions, theoretical concepts, and research methods that characterize the study of human communication (General Education: Critical Thinking and Reasoning).  

Diversity: articulate the importance of diversity (with regard to ability, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation in communication processes).  

Application: apply communication concepts and theories to everyday contexts and situations (General Education: Information Literacy).  

Communication: communicate effectively and professionally across diverse genres in oral, written, and/or digital contexts.  

Collaboration: collaborate effectively with others to manage emergent conflicts, solve problems, and achieve agreed-upon goals.  

Analysis: analyze various interrelated features (e.g., form, function, effects) of instances of human communication (General Education: Critical Thinking and Reasoning).  

Ethical reasoning: consider the ethical consequences of communication interactions on individuals, groups, and societies (General Education: Critical Thinking and Reasoning).  

Synthesis: identify, evaluate, and synthesize sources of information into coherent communication that is appropriate for a variety of audiences and stakeholders (General Education: Information Literacy).  

Design: design proposals and projects (e.g., research study, persuasive campaign, grant) for communication-centered problems that are informed by appropriate communication frameworks and/or research methods (General Education: Information Literacy).  

MA in Strategic Communication Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MA in Strategic Communication, students will be able to:   

  • Identify 21st-century communication problems in various domains.  

  • Understand the impacts of social, cultural, and historical context on communication.   

  • Analyze how communication factors shape contemporary issues and problems.   

  • Synthesize complex information from both academic and industry research sources.  

  • Design, implement, and assess effective solutions for communication problems.  

  • Produce proposals for community projects, educational media, or organizational problem solving.   

  • Communicate effectively via oral and written communication across a variety of communication contexts and media platforms.