Through research, professional service and scholarship in applied communications, the school advances the knowledge and practice of a multidisciplinary and evolving media environment. The school values truth, ethics, creativity, innovation, collaboration, cultural diversity, shared governance and community engagement.

The M.S. in Mass Communications with a concentration in strategic public relations trains a new generation of communications professionals who are able to function in high-level management positions and apply sophisticated strategic thinking to accomplish organizational objectives.

• Demonstrate higher-level skills of the public relations management function, including strategy development and critical thinking
• Communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken forms appropriate for strategic public relations practice, audiences and the purposes they serve
• Demonstrate ability to conduct research and evaluation to support strategic public relations decision-making
• Effectively apply tools and technologies appropriate to managing the process for strategic public relations