Master of Arts in Strategic Communication

The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication prepares students for careers in various areas of communication including public relations, corporate communication, and health communication. Students may choose to emphasize their studies on either communication management or health communication. The curriculum combines a theoretical foundation with a focus on essential skills for communication professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in media and communication is expected to grow as fast as average with about 151,500 new jobs by 2030. These jobs arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information across a variety of platforms.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Media and Communication Occupations.

What Makes Us Different

• Strategic Communication combines the study of communication with the strong humanities perspective anchored in the School of Communication & the Arts.
• Courses are taught by faculty who have experience in various areas of communication.
• The curriculum is designed to allow students to specialize in communication management or health communication.
• Students gain hands-on experience in their coursework through service and networking opportunities with community partners.

STEM Designated Degree Program

The MA in Strategic Communication is a STEM Designated Degree Program, focusing on the increasing need for technological skills in the field of communication. Students will learn skills to work in or manage digital and social media. Students will also learn how to analyze social media and communication data to make decisions. These skills are applied in a range of communication fields.

Gannon is a Catholic, Diocesan university dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Our faculty and staff prepare students to be global citizens through programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and professional specializations. Inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we offer a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness, and social responsibility.

Gannon's Great Location

We are located in Pennsylvania's fourth-largest city and one of the busiest ports on the Great Lakes. Gannon’s urban campus, in the middle of downtown Erie, is within a two-hour drive of Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Our unique location and facilities create a special atmosphere conducive to learning, scholarship, research, service, and personal growth.

The Gannon Experience

Ask students when they've had the most fun at Gannon, and you'll get a variety of responses: making new friends in their FYT group, hanging out in The Commuter Corner, having deep conversations in their residence hall, or going to events at The Knight Club. Everyone has a different answer. That's because Gannon offers a wide variety of activities and organizations to meet all interests.

We recognize that each student is a unique individual with different interests, strengths, and dreams. Our goal is to help students create a sense of belonging on campus by providing them with a variety of opportunities to find their fit.

Our welcoming, friendly environment is the perfect place to participate in on-campus events, join one of our 100+ organizations, and try something new.

Our student-run Activities Programming Board organizes fun events including speakers, concerts, and trips. Our Recreation and Wellness Center offers group fitness classes, intramurals, and sports clubs. You can learn more about yourself and your place in the world through our Campus Ministry Office and Center for Social Concerns. There are also countless ways to travel through Study Abroad, faculty-led trips, Alternative-Break Service Trips, and our TRAVEL program. And our Office of Leadership Development and Campus Engagement offers developmental programs that help students better understand themselves and their leadership potential in order to better the world around them.

No matter what you choose to engage with, there's a place for you in the Gannon Family.