M.A. Strategic Communication (Option III)
Earn a masters in Communication Studies, Strategic Communication (Option III) customized to your interests!
Communication skills are more in-demand than ever across industries including sports, technology, non-profits, government and more. Customize your master’s degree by combining any two communication graduate certificates and completing a capstone course aligned with your career goals. This master’s degree will provide you with a foundation to succeed in a variety of communication careers. The program has a focus on practical real-world skills for communicating in an increasingly complex and technological world.
Stack two certificates and complete a capstone course to earn your master’s degree.
Two Year Program
11 Courses
Expert Faculty
In-Person in Austin, TX
Choose your Focus: Stack Two Certificates + Capstone
Communication and Leadership
Elevate your leadership capabilities through a comprehensive exploration of strategic communication principles, interpersonal and mass communication structures, and how to lead in a digital world.
Sports Communication
Prepare for success as teams, leagues, and media organizations are making significant investments in communications and marketing, requiring skilled professionals to engage fans, build brands, and manage communication strategies across platforms.
Strategic Communication
Gain a comprehensive understanding of communication strategies, as well as how to navigate interpersonal communications, advance advocacy and gain influence. Learn to position organizations, manage reputations and drive results.
Capstone Project
Each student will finish the program by completing a capstone project. This project will synthesize what you have learned throughout the program.
Build Essential Communication Skills to Advance Your Goals
Our ever-changing and highly complex world requires skilled professionals to engage audiences, build brands, and manage communication strategies across platforms. It also requires leaders with a strong foundation in organizational and interpersonal communication who are capable team builders and managers of broad groups and audiences. Our faculty invest in your success by helping you prepare for your professional future.
Key Skills and Competencies You Will Learn
- Advocacy
- Negotiation
- Crisis Communication
- Professional use of Social Media
- Storytelling
- Personal Branding
- Team Building
- Media Management
- Application of communication concepts to achieve leadership goals
- Understanding different communication channels
- Management of conflict and crises
- Persuasive communication
- Implementing and managing change
Hear from a Masters Student
Shay Holle is a masters student and star player for the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team. Learn more about why she chose the Strategic Communication Option III masters program.
How It Works
Apply directly for the Master’s program or apply to stack your graduate certificates and add a capstone course.
- Engage with peers in your cohort for team collaboration and networking.
- Interact face-to-face with award-winning faculty.
- Complete a capstone project to synthesize what you have learned.
- Complete all courses and the capstone project within a 2-year period.
How to Apply
Prospective students must apply through the Graduate School Application for Admission. After completing the data entry sections and paying the application fee, applicants must upload supporting documents on their MyStatus page.
Application Process
Applications are accepted through the Graduate School Application for Admission. There are multiple master’s degrees in the Moody College of Communication. To apply for the Strategic Communication master’s, select the choice "Communication Studies, Strategic Communication- Option III."
After completing the data entry sections and paying the application fee, applicants must upload supporting documents on their MyStatus page.
All applicants must meet the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School admission requirements. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or be on track to graduate before enrolling in the degree program.
- Bachelor’s degree in any field
- GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale, though conditional admission may be possible for GPAs under 3.0 in extenuating circumstances
- For international applicants only, TOEFL score of at least 79 or IELTS score of at least 6.5
- A resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A statement of purpose (maximum of 1000 words) responding to the following prompt: Describe your reasons for pursuing graduate study and your academic and professional interests and goals.
- A statement of research objectives responding to the following essay prompt (maximum of 1000 words): The Capstone Project is a research study that serves as an opportunity for students to examine a communication question in-depth. The question may involve communication between individuals, groups, or organizations. It may involve face-to-face interaction or technologically mediated interaction. What research question might you explore through the Capstone?
- Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
- Official TOEFL or IELTS scores taken within the past two years (for International Applicants only)
- No GRE or GMAT is required
All required documents must be submitted electronically to MyStatus. This page will become available to you approximately three to four business days after you complete the Graduate School Application for Admission.
- The Admissions Committee for the MA in Strategic Communication will review complete applications after the deadline. All additional documents must have been uploaded in order for the committee to consider the application. Partial applications will not be reviewed.
- Admitted applicants will be notified by email from the Department of Communication Studies. They will also receive official e-letters from the Graduate Admissions Center with instructions on how to check your application status for your admission decision.
- Both the Department of Communication Studies and the Office of Graduate Studies must accept applicants before they can enroll.
Program Costs and Financial Aid
Students starting the master’s program in August 2025 or January 2026 pay a flat program fee of $49,500.
Payment Schedule example:
Fall 2025 (Three courses) $13,500
Spring 2026 (Three courses) $13,500
Fall 2026 (Three courses) $13,500
Spring 2027 (Two courses) $9,000
Total: $49,500
A non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required when applicants accept an offer of admission. This amount is credited toward your first semester’s program costs. Each semester's tuition is billed approximately 4-6 weeks before the semester starts and due during the first week of classes. Students will receive an exact due date when they are billed. After that date, a $100 late fee will be charged each week for non-payment.
Applicants for this program may be eligible for federal and private sector loans. See Financial Aid for more information. Due to the nature of the program other financial support, such as Teaching Assistant positions and scholarship money, is not available.
The M.A. in Strategic Communication is eligible for use with GI Bill® education benefits. To learn more about how veteran benefits may support enrollment in our program you can access The University of Texas at Austin Catalog here or contact the Veteran Certification team. Please note, the M.A. in Strategic Communication is considered a non-formula-funded program and is, therefore, not eligible for Texas Hazlewood Act Exemptions. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the cost per credit hour is $1493.93.
You can view and download the complete 25-26 student handbook at this link.
You can read answers to frequently asked questions at this link.
Application Deadlines
3/1/25
Application Due (for Fall 2025 admission)
9/1/25
Application Due (for Spring 2026 admission)
Contact Us
Option III Program Coordinator Christie Hodge
MoodyCollegeOption3@austin.utexas.edu