Momentum Builds For Gaylord's New 'Strategic Communication & Digital Strategy' Online Master's Program
By Ryan Welton
An online master's program at the University of Oklahoma designed to help upwardly mobile professionals take their next career leap in the 21st Century is off to a quick start – and it's continuing to draw significant national and even some international interest, according to Gaylord College's director of graduate studies.
The program is called Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy.
"The response we've received to our new online program has been excellent. The quality of students in our first cohort is excellent. There is a lot of interest nationally. Recruitment for summer and fall semesters is ahead of schedule," said Dr. Peter Gade.
As Chelsey Kraft explained in our previous JayMac newsletter, students will take the same 11 courses for a total of 33 hours, which mix conceptual education with a focus on how it’s applied professionally. The courses are:
- Introduction to Research Methods
- Marketing & Media Analytics
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Behavior
- Professional Seminar in Strategic Communication
- Crisis Communication
- Management & Leadership
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Digital Strategic Communication
- Ethics of Strategic Communication
- Strategic Planning & Brand Strategy
The first class of graduate students in this special online master's program dived into "Introduction to Research Methods" and "Marketing & Media Analytics" for the spring 2021 semester. Gade said the first group of participants includes students from 14 states, and the college has begun to receive inquiries from overseas.
In 10 short weeks, Gaylord College was able to recruit a full class of 30 students, well beyond the initial projection of 18. Gade said that a full class of 30 students had been admitted for a summer 2021 start, too.
Who's a good fit for this graduate program?
"This program targets early career media professional professionals who want to advance their careers. Our students have real-world experience and some impressive credentials. They are motivated to learn, especially about digital media, and we have much to teach them," he said.
To request information about the program, visit the program's website.