MA in Digital Communication Leadership
Boston, USA
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
16 Nov 2024*
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 1,402 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* Priority deadline: November 1; Final deadline: December 1
** additional fees may apply. Scholarships are available
Introduction
Emerson’s online Digital Communication Leadership Master’s program is designed for digital communication, public relations, and marketing professionals looking to take the next step in their careers.
Housed in Emerson’s School of Communication and the Department of Communication Studies, the program teaches you leadership skills to help you succeed as a manager overseeing an organization's cross-functional communication, public relations, and marketing teams. Fill in your knowledge gaps in marketing, public relations, and communication, customizing the program to fit your needs.
The program’s online and asynchronous format allows you to enroll full-time or part-time from anywhere, so you can learn on your own schedule.
Program Highlights
- 100% online graduate degree
- Asynchronous coursework to learn at your own pace
- Designed for working professionals; learn from anywhere and at any time
- Working professionals with at least 5 years of experience may be eligible for our Executive Format curriculum; allowing you to waive one elective course
- Flexible program start times; begin your program in the fall or spring semester
- A unique focus on leadership: course topics include conflict resolution, organizational change, team management, and project management
- Customizable program based on your knowledge gaps; take courses on topics you’re unfamiliar with, such as UX design, public relations, digital marketing, and content strategy
- No GRE requirements to apply
- Housed in Emerson’s School of Communication and Department of Communication Studies
- Meet Your Graduate Admission Counselor
Program Support: Public Relations, Sports Communications, Political Communications, Digital Communication Leadership, Theatre Education, and Media Design.
Alumni
Years spent at Emerson are life-changing and unforgettable for our alumni. Becoming an Emersonian means being a part of a widespread, supportive community and alumni network. We are here to promote institutional pride, help you find professional development opportunities, and facilitate lifelong connections with Emerson’s 51,000+ alumni.
Even after your days in the classroom are over, you will always have a place at Emerson.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Financial Aid
Emerson College is proud to offer students and families financial aid options and resources. For a full list of our financial aid offerings, visit our Financial Aid page.
Scholarships
Upon applying to an Emerson Graduate Program, the Graduate Admission team automatically reviews every accepted student’s scholarship eligibility. For more information about scholarships, please visit our Scholarships & Grants page.
Apply today!
Curriculum
Curriculum Requirements
Digital Communication Leadership Curriculum
Standard Format 32-Credit Curriculum
Our 32-credit Standard Format curriculum consists of 4 core courses (16 credits) and 4 elective courses (16 elective credits) and can be completed full-time in one year or part-time in two years.
Executive Format 28-Credit Curriculum (5+ years professional experience)
We also offer the program in an Executive Format curriculum that consists of just 28 credits.
Working professionals with at least 5 years of relevant work experience can waive 1 elective class (4 credits) to complete the program for a total of 28 credits.
The Executive Format requires the same 4 courses (16 core credits) as the Standard Format, but only 3 elective courses (12 credits). Your eligibility for the Executive Format will be reviewed when you apply. This format can be completed full-time in one year or part-time in two years.
Both formats are entirely online and asynchronous, meaning you can take courses from anywhere and at any time that works best for your schedule. Students can begin in the fall or spring term.
Core Courses
The following courses are required to complete the degree for the Standard and Executive Format:
| Course | Credits | Modality |
| Leading Organizational Change | 4 | Online |
| Project Management & Communication | 4 | Online |
| Inclusive Leadership & Conflict Management | 4 | Online |
| Leading Effective Teams | 4 | Online |
Elective Courses
Standard Curriculum: Choose four elective courses (16 credits) to complete the degree. You can mix and match courses to fill in knowledge gaps based on your needs.
Executive Curriculum: Choose three elective courses (12 credits) to complete the degree. You can mix and match courses to fill in knowledge gaps based on your needs.
The following courses are a sample of our elective course offerings.
| Course | Credits | Modality |
| Emerging Communication Technology | 4 | Online |
| Online Content Strategy | 4 | Online |
| User Experience Design | 4 | Online |
| Digital Analytics | 4 | Online |
| Cross-Platform Audience Strategy & Messaging | 4 | Online |
| Digital Crisis Management | 4 | Online |
One-Year Sample Curriculum Map
The following is a sample curriculum map based on the Standard 32-credit, full-time, one-year-long schedule. You can also complete the degree part-time in two years and start the degree in the spring (January) semester to fit your needs.*
Program Start: September
Fall Semester 1 (8 Credits)
- Project Management and Communication
- Leading Organizational Change
Spring Semester (8 Credits)
- Leading Effective Teams
- Inclusive Leadership and Conflict Management
Summer Semester (8 Credits)
- Digital Crisis Management
- User Experience Design
Fall Semester 2 (8 Credits)
- Cross-Platform Audience Strategy and Messaging
- Online Content Strategy
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Benefits of Enrolling in the Digital Communication Leadership MA
The program's asynchronous and online format allows you to work from anywhere and at any time you’d like. Designed for working professionals, take your courses in leadership and communications before or after work, during your lunch break, or whenever you learn best.
One of the program’s core leadership-focused courses, Project Management and Communication, satisfies one of the Project Management Professional (PMP) requirements if you choose to pursue your Project Management Professional Certificate after the program.
Our unique Executive Format allows you to take your professional work experience and apply it toward elective credits in your Master's program. This benefit lets you graduate faster, and reenter the workforce sooner.
Career Outlook for Digital Communication Leaders
The digital communication and marketing landscape is one of the fastest-growing industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 10% increase in jobs over the next 10 years.
Careers to Explore
- Digital Communication Manager
- Digital Content and Strategy Leader
- Director of Marketing and Communication
- Senior UX Content Strategist
- Senior Marketing Manager
- Vice President of Marketing
Program Leaders
English Language Requirements
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