A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in strategic communication combines advanced business training with specialized expertise in organizational messaging, stakeholder engagement and reputation management. This type of degree program prepares you for careers in public relations, marketing and other communications-based fields.
Professionals in these disciplines rely on strategic communication and business skills developed in specialized MBA programs to advance messaging for the people, products, services or companies they represent. Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online MBA with a Concentration in Strategic Communication program prepares you for these dynamic roles through comprehensive coursework in business strategy and communication management.
In a strategic communication MBA, you will learn how to use traditional methods such as press releases, news briefs, white papers, phone and email, as well as newer messaging channels like blogs, social media, video marketing, AI chatbots, live chat and SMS. You will also discover how to enhance messaging visibility, personalization and performance across digital channels through optimization methods like search engine optimization (SEO), answer engine optimization (AEO) and AI optimization (AIO, also referred to as all-in-one SEO).
What Is Strategic Communication?
Strategic communication is a subspecialty in the communications field. According to the Indeed Career Guide, “Strategic communication refers to communication principles, strategies and activities organisations use to advance their goals and values.” While professional communication covers a broad range of activities including advertising, broadcasting and internal communication, strategic communication refers to the delivery of focused messaging that meets an organization’s strategic goals and advances the brand’s message.
This approach to professional communications emphasizes data-driven decision-making, audience analysis and integrated messaging across multiple platforms. Strategic communication professionals align organizational objectives with targeted messaging strategies to build reputation, influence stakeholders, optimize internal communications and achieve measurable business outcomes.
Core Business Studies and Strategic Communication Coursework
To earn a specialized MBA in strategic communication online at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, students must complete comprehensive core business coursework. These courses include the following:
Managerial Economics; Accounting for Managers; Financial Management
Gain the skills and confidence you need to read financial statements and make decisions about projects, budgeting, investments and financial planning that affect the profitability of a business.
Data Analysis for Managers; Marketing Management
Learn how to research trends and consumer behavior, design effective marketing strategies, and leverage data analytics insights to meet company goals and create solutions for complex business problems.
Behavioral Management; Strategic Management
Learn what it takes to manage people effectively and synthesize managerial knowledge and skills with strategic, long-term planning based on achieving organizational objectives.
For the strategic communication concentration, you will delve further into specialized studies. To earn your career-advancing degree, you must complete two of the following three courses:
Strategic Communication
Gain the background you’ll need to craft campaigns that best represent your brand and its message. You will focus on a range of internal and external communication applications using both proactive and reactive strategies in both for-profit and nonprofit settings.
Effective Crisis Communication
Focus on the skills you’ll need when negative news about your client, product, service or company goes viral. You’ll understand when to acknowledge negative publicity, what sort of response is appropriate, how to plan for and mitigate crises, what to do as the momentum slows, and how and when to follow up.
Strategic and Organizational Communication
Focus on communication at the organizational leadership level, examining how internal and external structures as well as change management are impacted by strategic messaging.
Gain the Skills to Launch Your Strategic Communication Career With Southeastern’s MBA
Strategic communication careers span diverse industries and organizational types. The MBA with a Concentration in Strategic Communication degree from Southeastern prepares you for positions at public relations firms, advertising agencies and business associations. Lobbying organizations and groups also need the services of strategic communication experts, as do in-house marketing and public relations departments.
Corporate communication jobs and other strategic communications positions require the ability to create clear, concise messaging for consumers and decision-makers. With Southeastern’s flexible online MBA program, you’ll develop the strategic thinking, business acumen and specialized communication expertise needed to excel in these exciting career opportunities.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online MBA with a Concentration in Strategic Communication program.