Master's Programme in Strategic Communication, 120 credits

Aim

The aim of the programme is to enable students to develop advanced knowledge and understanding of strategic communication, an interdisciplinary field within Media and Communication Science. Students shall develop practical, scientific, methodological and theoretical prerequisites for independently planning, organizing, administering and assessing communication tasks in companies, authorities, institutions, and associations. In particular that includes understanding the role that digital media, crisis communication, leadership communication and sustainability play in relation to the ability of an organization or person to communicate and accordingly to achieve their goals with stakeholders and other publics in general.

Strategic communication concerns both internal and external communication, as well as the planning, implementation and management of communication in relation to target groups, situations and organizational/societal contexts.

On completion of the first year of the program, 60 credits, students are qualified for entering a Ph.D. programme in Media and Communication Science.

Programme objectives

OUTCOMES ACCORDING TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION ORDINANCE FOR A MASTER OF ARTS/SCIENCE (60 CREDITS, one year)

Knowledge and understanding
For a Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) degree the student shall
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
- demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) degree the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues autonomously as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames
- demonstrate the ability in speech and writing to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach
For a Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) degree the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

OUTCOMES ACCORDING TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION ORDINANCE FOR A MASTER OF ARTS/SCIENCE (120 CREDITS, two years)

Knowledge and understanding
For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
- demonstrated specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
- demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
- demonstrated the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrated the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach
For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THE MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

Knowledge and understanding
- demonstrated knowledge and understanding on theories and methods at advanced level within strategic communication such as leadership communication, change / crisis communication, and sustainability communication.
- understand the relationships between theories on strategic communication and efficient communication planning with primary and secondary groups of stakeholders and general publics.

For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall also have:
- very good knowledge about current research methodology

Competence and skills
- demonstrated the ability to use relevant theories and methods to plan, implement and evaluate communication activities for specific situations and actors in different types of organizations through traditional and digital media within a field such as leadership communication, change/crisis communication and strategic communication for sustainable development
- demonstrated the ability in speech and writing to synthesize, apply and discuss different theories and methods
- demonstrated the ability to independently plan and conduct a scientific research project within the chosen field.

For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall also have:
- very good skills in analyzing the results of different strategic communication activities
- good ability to write scientific reports/research articles

Judgement and approach
For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall be able to:
- identify and critically assess different paradigms of scientific theory.
- critically analyze communication strategies, tactics, and activities for internal and external communication

Content

The Master's Programme in Strategic Communication takes either one year or two years to complete.

The first year of the two-year version of the programme is devoted to mandatory courses in strategic communication. The second year includes methodology, academic writing, and a master's thesis (20 weeks) on a relevant topic in the spring semester.

Media and Communication Science MA, Strategic Digital Communication, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Crisis Communication, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Communicative Leadership, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Strategic Communication for Sustainable Development, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Scientific Methods, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Philosophy of Science, 7.5 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Scientific Writing, 7.5 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Degree Project, 30 credits

The one-year version of the programme consists of mandatory courses 45 credits, and a thesis of 15 credits (10 weeks).

Media and Communication Science MA, Strategic Digital Communication, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Crisis Communication, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Strategic Communication for Sustainable Development, 15 credits
Media and Communication Science MA, Degree Project, 15 credits

Entry requirements

English course 6 from Swedish Upper Secondary School (Gymnasium) or the equivalent.

Bachelor of Arts/Science or equivalent (at least 180 credits/180 ECTS), with at least 60 credits (60 ECTS) in Media and Communication Science, Journalism, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology or Business Administration.

Description of programme

Competence within strategic communication on advanced level is demanded within private and public organizations and within research.

On completion of the programme, students will be able to work with strategic communication in different functions and organizations. Future professional roles are for example communication strategist, communication manager, change manager, crisis manager, marketing/brand manager, PR manager, and project manager in public or private organizations, as well as communication consultant.

The program is aimed at professionals and students who have just completed their university studies.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Programme with restricted admissions

Special prerequisites for courses are given in the respective course specifications.

Teaching and examination

The degree programme runs full-time, distance education for two years. Part-time study is possible in the programme.

The teaching and examination procedures are stated in the syllabus of each course.

Title of qualification

Degree of Master of Arts/Science (60 credits)
Degree of Master of Arts/Science (120 credits)

Magisterexamen or Masterexamen med huvudområdet medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap, translated into Degree of Master of Arts (60 credits) or Degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) with a major in Media and Communication Science.