C04461v1 Master of Strategic Communication
Award(s): Master of Strategic Communication (MStratComm)CRICOS code: 116217H
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 72
Course EFTSL: 1.5
Location: City campus
Notes
This course will be available from Autumn 2025.
Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Articulation with UTS courses
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The Master of Strategic Communication is designed to respond to industry demand for competent communication professionals with the knowledge and skillset of demonstrating the use of the full spectrum of communication strategies and techniques for problem solving. Using contemporary communication scholarship and industry insights, it is also designed to address the needs of professionals who aspire to begin or develop a communication career with a dedicated role and specific communication expertise in driving strong stakeholder relationships and engagement for better organisational outcomes.
This course introduces students to practice-oriented knowledge and skills required in the field of communication. It serves as a stepping-stone for students who would like to apply advanced knowledge and skills in developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative and integrated solutions to real-world communication challenges.
Facing ongoing technological and social developments, strategic communication becomes critical in every organisation’s practices. Emerging technologies, dynamic media environments, and diverse social issues shape the way individuals engage with or respond to organisations’ communication. In addition, individuals’ preferences keep changing in this fast-pacing environment. To keep up with these changes, many organisations strive to meet social and stakeholder expectations. However, it is often challenging for organisations to do so. This is because different stakeholders exhibit different levels of motivation to engage and collaborate with those organisations. Therefore, strategic communication is required to effectively connect with those diverse stakeholders by grasping key audience insights and formulating possible strategies across complex, fragmented media ecosystems. Strategic communication builds a critical foundation of organisational success. Communication professionals are expected to understand the role of strategic communication in cultivating favourable stakeholder relationships and maintaining positive reputation for organisational survival and legitimacy.
Course aims
This course aims to enable students to:
- Build understanding of the principles of effective communication and stakeholder engagement for an organisation to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Confidently diagnose a communication and engagement challenge of a brand and organisation and develop the strategies to address such a challenge.
- Learn and demonstrate the methods and techniques used by communication professionals to gain audience insights that inform effective communication strategies and tactics. These include the use of formal and informal research and evaluation methods.
Career options
Graduates of this course are equipped to work in roles such as: account executive, senior account executive, brand manager, public relations/communication officer, public relations/communication manager, communication and media advisor, communications and engagement coordinator, content creator, digital ad specialist, social media marketing specialist, publicity coordinator, communication consultant, engagement and awareness manager, program communication and engagement manager, global manager, internal communication manager, marketing communications senior advisor, sustainability engagement manager, governance and engagement manager, senior communications advisor, corporate communications specialist, and PR account director/senior account director.
Course intended learning outcomes
This course engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
| 1.0 | Professional Readiness |
| 1.1 | Apply a specialised body of theoretical and practice-oriented knowledge and skills to develop, implement and evaluate innovative and integrated solutions to real-world communication challenges |
| 2.0 | Critical and Creative Inquiry |
| 2.1 | Critically, creatively and/or collaboratively analyse, debate and reflect on strategic communication models, practices and solutions by planning and executing a body of research to solve complex problems |
| 3.0 | International and Intercultural Engagement |
| 3.1 | Navigate and embrace the value of intercultural contexts for strategic communication practices |
| 4.0 | Indigenous Competencies |
| 4.1 | Critically reflect on communication and engagement practices to build professional capability to work effectively with and for Indigenous peoples |
| 5.0 | Active Citizenship |
| 5.1 | Counsel decision-makers about challenges and solutions in diverse contexts on issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice and sustainability |
| 6.0 | Effective Communication |
| 6.1 | Persuade and engage diverse audiences through both written and oral communication strategies, across a range of media formats, with consideration of others' needs and views. |
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian master’s degree, Australian graduate certificate, or Australian graduate diploma, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree, or overseas equivalent, in Management and Commerce, Society and Culture, or Creative Arts
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional experience
Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C06153 Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication.
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Recognition of prior learning
Students who have successfully completed subjects from the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication (C06153) are eligible for recognition of prior learning for completed subjects.
Course duration and attendance
The course is offered on a one and a half (1.5) years, full-time basis, or three (3) years, part-time basis.
Course structure
This course totals 72 credit points of study consisting of eight core subjects (48 credit points) and four electives (24 credit points). Full-time students are required to undertake 24 credit points a session. Part-time students should undertake 12 credit points a session.
Course completion requirements
| STM91922 Core Subjects (Strategic Communication) | 48cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Total | 72cp |
Course diagram
Course program
Typical course programs are shown below for full-time and part-time students, commencing in Autumn or Spring sessions.
| Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57610 Risk, Issue and Crisis Communication | 6cp | |
| 57611 Stakeholder Engagement | 6cp | |
| Select 12 credit points from the following: | 12cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57610 Risk, Issue and Crisis Communication | 6cp | |
| 57611 Stakeholder Engagement | 6cp | |
| Select 12 credit points from the following: | 12cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Autumn commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57611 Stakeholder Engagement | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57610 Risk, Issue and Crisis Communication | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57611 Stakeholder Engagement | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57610 Risk, Issue and Crisis Communication | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
Articulation with UTS courses
This course is part of an articulated program with the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication (C06153).
Students transferring from the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication to the Master of Strategic Communication must have successfully completed at least four subjects in the Strategic Communication postgraduate program.
Professional recognition
The postgraduate Strategic Communication degrees are externally accredited by the Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA), formerly Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA). As part of this accreditation process, CPRA examines the alignment of the degrees with industry expectations and needs. Course structure, subject outlines, work integrated learning activities, and assessment briefs are assessed to ensure student learning experience is theory-informed, research-based, and industry-oriented; thereby producing graduates who are poised to thrive in the professional communication industry.
Other information
Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on:
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS