Curriculum

*Does not meet full-time requirements for F1 student visa
**3 residencies, 15 Saturday sessions, summer electives. See program diagram below.

In order to receive the master's degree in Strategic Communications, students must complete all requirements of the degree (36 points) within 16 months with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better.

Between residencies, students attend on-campus courses on five full-day Saturday sessions during the first fall term, five Saturdays during the spring term, and five Saturdays during the final fall term. On-campus attendance is required for all three four-day residencies, as well as on-site Saturday courses.

Columbia’s Strategic Communications program is built around four essential disciplines: Strategic Leadership - the ability to bring vision, understand business strategy, lead teams, achieve and measure success in a highly competitive global marketplace; Strategic Thinking - applying critical and analytic thinking to communications problems and issues; Persuasion –writing and presenting ideas and information in concise, creative, and compelling ways to multiple audiences; and Media - understand and respond strategically to the changing needs of audiences using all forms and channels of communications in an ethical, considered way.

In order to allow for concentrated, accelerated study, the executive structure integrates and reinforces course content so that the full-day sessions are intense immersion experiences where ideas and information are examined through case studies, classroom exercises and experiential discussions.

Time Commitment

Work Outside of Class

When not meeting on campus, students are required to be active through our online platform. They should be prepared to spend 20-25 hours outside of class every week to complete assigned readings, work on projects, and participate with work groups.

Activities during the residencies and Saturday sessions connect directly to the other program components. Therefore, full participation is critical for degree completion. The online component is separate from and does not substitute for the in-person residencies or Saturday sessions.

Administrative Obligations

Students will be given a Student Handbook, which will guide them through the required administrative processes (bursar, registrar, ID office, etc.).

This diagram illustrates the program's timeline and sequence of residencies and courses (click to enlarge).

2013-2014 Residency Dates (Fall 2013 Cohort)

August 21-August 24, 2013
April 25-April 27, 2014
August 21-August 24, 2014

Saturday Sessions

Between residencies, students attend on-campus courses on five full-day Saturday sessions during the first fall term, five Saturdays during the spring term, and five Saturdays during the final fall term.

2013-2014 Saturday Sessions:

2012-2013 Residency Dates (Fall 2012 Cohort)

August 23-August 26, 2012
April 18-April 21, 2013
August 22-August 25, 2013

Saturday Sessions

Between residencies, students attend on-campus courses on five full-day Saturday sessions during the first fall term, five Saturdays during the spring term, and five Saturdays during the final fall term.

2012-2013 Saturday Sessions:

View the Fall 2012 Cohort program diagram