Strategic Communication (Health), MA
Brand, Communication, Content Strategy, Health, Health communication, PR, Public Health, Strategy, marketing, media
Anyone can share health information, but crafting messages that truly inform, inspire and empower people to act takes strategy. Learn how to combine digital media, public relations, data and storytelling to design health communication campaigns that improve well-being and make a measurable difference.
In the Master of Arts program in strategic communication with a concentration in health, you gain the skills, techniques and leadership capacity to shape how health information is shared and understood across media, organizations and communities. Through courses in content creation, audience analysis, health media, crisis communication and more, you learn to design and deliver messages that promote public health, build trust and positively influence behavior. Courses in communication management, ethics and law prepare you to become an effective communicator and leader within hospitals, government agencies, nonprofits, corporations and health advocacy organizations. Through immersive, hands-on experiences in message design, storytelling and data-driven campaigns, you apply your skills in real-world settings, gaining experience with client-based projects and advanced digital tools to solve pressing health communication challenges.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
- College/school:
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
33 credit hours including the required capstone course (MCO 570)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Concentration (3 credit hours) Other Requirements (18 credit hours) Electives (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
MCO 561 Defining the Digital Audience (3)
MCO 508 Health Mass Communication (3)
MCO 502 Media Skills (6)
MCO 503 Media Law (3)
MCO 504 Cronkite Master's Seminar (1)
MCO 525 Media Ethics Leadership (3)
MCO 554 Media Models, Organizations and Leadership (3)
MCO 570 Capstone (6)
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admissions application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- professional resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants should have a TOEFL iBT® score of at least 5, or a score of 100 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center. Students with an IELTS band score of 7.50 or a Duolingo score of 135 are also considered.
Applicants should provide a 300- to 500-word statement describing their interest in strategic communication, their career goals, and how previous work and academic experience have prepared them for success.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 06/01 | Final |
Study abroad is possible for graduate students. There are more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent. Students may consider programs just for Cronkite students, which allow graduate students to advance their media skills and global communications perspectives.
Content creation and campaign strategy skills are in high demand across the media industries. Many health strategic communicators pursue careers in hospital or corporate environments, while others leverage their skills in work with multiple clients or as entrepreneurs.
Graduates possess skills that are transferable across health communications organizations, including:
- colleges and universities
- communication agencies
- government agencies and health advocacy groups
- health care systems
- nonprofit organizations
- private practices
- public relations firms
- retail and hospitality brands
Graduates can apply their advanced media skills to a variety of roles, including:
- community engagement specialists
- content creators
- digital strategists
- health storytellers
- media executives
- media relations specialists
- PR professionals
- strategic communications leaders
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
|
CRONK 302
cronkitegrad@asu.edu
602-496-5555
Admission deadlines
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
