GRADUATE PROGRAM Master of Communications 30 total credits | average 2 years to complete 26 DAYS Left to Apply 8 JAN Start Date Format Online Tuition $36,510 Courses 10 courses Term Spring 2024 Apply Now Become an impactful leader in the dynamic field of Communications With the rapid rise of both digital and societal disruption, the world of communications has shifted dramatically in recent years. Communications professionals are playing increasingly important roles that contribute to enterprise-wide goals, influence organizational cultures, and define corporate and social responsibility. Organizations need leaders in strategic communications, digital communications, public relations, and social media. Be ready to advance into critical leadership positions and leverage market-relevant skills with a graduate degree from top-ranked Wake Forest University. Admission Criteria To enroll in the Master of Communications program a candidate must complete an online application, in which they will submit: A resume A bachelor’s degree transcript from an accredited college or university* Also, candidates must complete a virtual interview with a Student Success Manager. *An unofficial transcript is acceptable for admission; an official transcript is due by the start of the first course. 150,000 new jobs in employment in media and communications occupations as the industry is projected to grow faster than average from 2020 to 2030. 17% increase in overall wages in communications roles across the U.S. 11,396 unique postings in the Charlotte-metro and Winston-Salem area for communications job opportunities in March of 2022. The People Behind the Program To accelerate your career growth, reach your professional goals, and expand your network, we created the Communications Programmatic Advisory Board (PAB) to bring knowledge from experts in the field into the classroom. These board members are committed to your academic excellence and keeping Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies graduates industry–competitive and globally impactful. Selim Bingol Duke Energy James “J.D.” Donnelly M Booth Portia R Mount Trane Technologies Jaclyn Pardini Hartzell Ally Stacey McCray Bojangles, Inc. Carol Oliff Wake Forest University David Robertson Wake Forest University Core Courses Students in the Communications program will take 9 core courses. You make take these courses at anytime they are available. Communications Today Today’s professionals encounter an increasingly complex organizational environment. This course identifies foundational communications concepts for application and to help navigate challenges, particularly in the digital domain. What You’ll Learn Identify and critically evaluate emerging issues and trends. Apply salient communications theories and concepts to real-world scenarios. Explore the role of rapidly evolving communications technologies. Understand the importance of communications leadership in addressing emerging challenges. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Spring 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 710 × Communications Today Today’s professionals encounter an increasingly complex organizational environment. This course identifies foundational communications concepts for application and to help navigate challenges, particularly in the digital domain. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Communications Research Strategic communicators understand that data is an essential basis for well-planned strategies. This course provides the knowledge of research design and data interpretation, helping communications professionals become proficient consumers and ethical producers of research-based arguments. What You’ll Learn Identify and access quality sources of research data and information. Assess the validity and reliability of research data and information. Apply ethical research to solve real-world problems and lead organization initiatives that impact multiple stakeholders. Identify, measure, interpret, and evaluate research evidence. Present in ways that persuasively communicate the implications for the organization based on research findings. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Fall 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 712 × Communications Research Strategic communicators understand that data is an essential basis for well-planned strategies. This course provides the knowledge of research design and data interpretation, helping communications professionals become proficient consumers and ethical producers of research-based arguments. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Digital Communications Engagement In today’s digital world, consumers of digital messaging are also producers of digital content. Today’s professionals must not only keep up with the near-constant changes in media platforms but must use multiple channels to generate content and listen to users. This course helps build a foundation in current digital practices and emerging media technologies, including digital brand storytelling, content marketing strategy, social media marketing, influencer marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). What You’ll Learn Identify channel strategies and activate those channels. Generate content, utilize brand ambassadors and influencers, and leverage the role of the corporate newsroom in ways that tell a coherent story. Design strategies for empowering the public/consumer through digital channels. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Jan 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 714 × Digital Communications Engagement In today’s digital world, consumers of digital messaging are also producers of digital content. Today’s professionals must not only keep up with the near-constant changes in media platforms but must use multiple channels to generate content and listen to users. This course helps build a foundation in current digital practices and emerging media technologies. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Crisis and Issues Communications Real and perceived threats can pose major challenges for organizations. These threats can range from attacks on an organization’s reputation to managing the proliferation of misinformation communicated in both external and internal channels, inclusive of social media. This course provides the tools, approaches, and confidence to manage long-term challenges as part of crisis & issues management and public relations strategy. What You’ll Learn Respond effectively to reputational threats. Identify effective and appropriate strategies for internal and external communications, and align organizational values with various stakeholders, including media organizations, employees, communities, business partners, special interest groups, and consumers. Exercise ownership of messaging in social and traditional media channels. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Summer 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 720 × Crisis and Issues Communications Real and perceived threats can pose major challenges for organizations. These threats can range from attacks on an organization’s reputation to managing the proliferation of misinformation communicated in both external and internal channels. This course provides the tools, approaches, and confidence to manage long-term challenges. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Strategic Communications Internal and external stakeholders expect greater transparency and responsiveness from organizational leaders today. This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies spanning corporate communications, public relations, marketing, and social media. This course examines real organizational challenges and students work to identify solutions. What You’ll Learn Leverage strategic communications framework to solve real-world problems. Examine and apply skills related to communications theories, principles, and interpersonal effectiveness. Develop strategic communications plan for internal and external stakeholders. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Fall 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 722 × Strategic Communications Internal and external stakeholders expect greater transparency and responsiveness from organizational leaders today. This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies. This course examines real organizational challenges and students work to identify solutions. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Public Relations Public relations (PR) professionals are increasingly tasked with building and maintaining multi-directional relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. This course introduces practical approaches to communicating persuasively and managing corporate reputation, driving awareness and affinity for the brand among a wide array of stakeholders. What You’ll Learn Research, develop, plan, and evaluate strategies that engage and positively influence stakeholders. Analyze structure, messaging, frequency, and impact across multiple channels. Develop effective media relations, including relationships with media representatives. Monitor the external environment to forecast elements that may affect the public relations plan. Collaborate with internal business partners and external stakeholders to raise brand awareness and increase brand affinity. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming Soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 724 × Public Relations Public relations (PR) professionals are increasingly tasked with building and maintaining multi-directional relationships with key stakeholders. This course introduces practical approaches to communicating persuasively and building corporate reputation, driving awareness and affinity for the brand among a wide array of stakeholders. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Communications Leadership, Organizational Culture & Ethics This course helps identify leadership strategies for ensuring organizational strategies are aligned with organization mission and values and serve the broader goals of business and society. Learn more about the ESG framework and be able to apply it to communications initiatives, building trust and making a positive, authentic impact. Effective leaders communicate consistently and in alignment with organizational missions that represent the highest of ethical standards. What You’ll Learn Learn and apply environmental, social/sustainable, and governance (ESG) principles. Follow ethical communications industry practices. Advocate for the communications role to serve jointly as an internal leader in the organization, and externally in the community. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming Soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 730 × Communications Leadership, Organizational Culture & Ethics Most organizations have a mission or values statement. How many organizations are living it? This course helps identify leadership strategies for ensuring organizational strategies are aligned with organization mission and values and serve the broader goals of business and society. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Leading through Intercultural Communications It is necessary for communications leaders to develop intercultural awareness and build communications strategies that reflect diversity of thought, culture, and experience. Equitable practices foster trust and commitment to organizations and brands. Diverse workforces are more creative and innovative. Learn how to assess and design aligned, inclusive communications strategies. What You’ll Learn Identify organizational traditions, practices, and communications and assess their impact on diverse identities. Develop intercultural awareness alongside internal and external communications strategies and messaging. Build organizationally aligned communications strategies and practices that promote equitable, accountable leadership. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming Soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 732 × Leading through Intercultural Communications It is necessary for communications leaders to develop intercultural awareness and build communications strategies that reflect diversity of thought, culture, and experience. Equitable practices foster trust and commitment to organizations and brands. Diverse workforces are more creative and innovative. Learn how to assess and design aligned, inclusive communications strategies. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Capstone in Communications: Consultative Project Learning is forged through application. This immersive course applies communications skills and knowledge through a hands-on consultative project. Students will develop a communications plan to solve a current real-world challenge for an existing company or organization. What You’ll Learn Identify and apply strategies presented throughout the program. Build a full communications plan for an organization, leveraging the skills gained in the program. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 799 × Capstone in Communications: Consultative Project Learning is forged through application. Skills adjacency – the ability to adopt new skills alongside collaborators and in contexts outside of one’s expertise – has been identified as a critical 21st-century skill. This course applies communications skills and knowledge through a hands-on consultative project. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Electives Students in the Communications program will take 1 elective. You may take it at anytime your selection is available. Champion Corporate Branding Companies with a strong brand purpose have stronger customer and employee loyalty. Is your company’s brand strong? How can you start with the “why” of your brand rather than the “what” and “how” of a product line? In this course, you will learn to recognize strong brands and identify strategies for strengthening brand purpose. Course Code: 750 What You’ll Learn Identify key elements of corporate branding. Assess organizational corporate branding. Identify strengths and challenges to be addressed. Develop and apply approaches that build strong corporate branding. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming soon! Subject to Change × Champion Corporate Branding Companies with a strong brand purpose have stronger customer and employee loyalty. Is your company’s brand strong? How can you start with the “why” of your brand rather than the “what” and “how” of a product line? In this course, you will learn to recognize strong brands and identify strategies for strengthening brand purpose. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Social Media Marketing: SEO, Content and Influencers Digital marketers must learn how to expertly leverage content in order to increase the attention consumers pay to their brands. This is an increasingly challenging task given the crowded marketplace and information overload that consumers face. What You’ll Learn Study organic search, social media content, community management, posting, user-generated content, social listening and competitive modeling. Monitor and improve digital marketing campaigns through various tools, including artificial intelligence and social listening. Discuss the future of search and potentially disruptive impacts on the media industry. Explore the role of traditional media and public relations in a digital world, the value of additional channels (e.g., emails, blogs, and podcasts), and the importance of customer relationship management (CRM) tools in the digital marketing landscape. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Spring 2024 Fall 2024 Subject to Change Course ID DMG 732 × Social Media Marketing: SEO, Content and Influencers This course explores the world of Earned/Owned Digital Marketing including SEO, Influencer, Social Media, and Public Relations and how to expertly leverage content in order to increase the attention consumers pay to their brands. Students will discuss the increasingly challenging task given the crowded marketplace and information overload that consumers face and how to address this challenge with practical and strategic skills, including organic search, social media content, community management, posting, and user-generated content, social listening and competitive modeling, and digital tools used in influencer marketing. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Branding, Storytelling, and Writing for the Digital World Many campaigns never make it to the market or fall flat in execution because a compelling “story” isn’t being told in them. This course integrates brand management principles and marketing frameworks to guide digital storytelling that effectively engages consumers and other stakeholders. What You’ll Learn Focus on digital branding through storytelling to differentiate products and services from competitor offerings and to effectively position them as solutions to consumer needs and pain points. Write compelling content that scores highly with dynamic search engine algorithms. Study how to pursue the strategic implementation of a brand narrative using various digital marketing approaches and analyses. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Fall 2023 Spring 2024 Subject to Change Course ID DMG 722 × Branding, Storytelling, and Writing for the Digital World This course integrates brand management principles and marketing frameworks to guide digital storytelling that effectively engages consumers and other stakeholders. This course will explore how to focus on digital branding through storytelling to differentiate products and services from competitor offerings and to effectively position them as solutions to consumer needs and pain points. Students will learn how to write compelling content that scores highly with dynamic search engine algorithms and how to pursue strategic implementation of a brand narrative using various digital marketing approaches and analyses. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Leadership & Change Management This course is a survey of the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change. It explores the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. Learners will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in organizational change. What You’ll Learn Acquire knowledge of models of how change occurs in organizations and how it should occur. Examine and evaluate change efforts in organizations. Develop an understanding of why individuals resist change and how to overcome resistance. Apply change models to various organizations and identify how leaders should lead change efforts. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Spring 2024 Summer 2024 Subject to Change Course ID LDR 722 × Leadership & Change Management Explore the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change. This course delves into the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. Learners will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in organizational change. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Financial Management for Today’s Leaders Leading effectively in today’s complex economy requires a confident understanding of the numbers side of the business. This course examines the conceptual and practical issues involved in managing an organization’s finances. Their work will become the internal and external messaging for the organization. Students will be introduced to financial and accounting terminology, concepts and tools for decision making. Additional topics may include the financial impact of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Course Code: 752 What You’ll Learn Interpret and apply accounting and finance terminology, concepts, and analysis techniques. Analyze the financial impact of decisions. Explore use of data to make financial decisions. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming soon! Subject to Change Course ID LDR 726 × Financial Management for Today’s Leaders Leading effectively in today’s complex economy requires a confident understanding of the numbers side of the business. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Communications Faculty David Robertson Wake Forest University Jared Bahir Browsh, Ph.D. Wake Forest University Linda Gharib Wake Forest University Patricia Richards-Service, Ph.D. Wake Forest University Jennifer Vieweg, ELD Wake Forest University Learn More Paying for School There are several financial assistance options available for you to start this journey and see your career take off. Speak with one of our financial aid officers for help navigating scholarships, veteran’s assistance, FAFSA, and more. Learn More Wake to What’s Next Request Information Apply Now