Master of Arts in Strategic Communication
CREATE YOUR OWN PATh WITH HPU's MASCOM DEGREE
HPU’s Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (MASCOM) program will empower you to understand and use strategic techniques and insights that give you a powerful advantage in the world of media. With the program’s wide selection of electives, you will learn how to use your innovation and creativity to maximize your potential in communication strategies. Implement expert communication strategies that advance organizational goals and learn how to capture target audiences with dynamic communication skills!
- Emphasis in technical design training
- Accepts transfer credits
- Approved for VA benefits
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Strategic Communication Students Learn Job-ready Skills
Complete in 21 months as a full-time student
Afternoon and EVening courses
Strong Intercultural COmponents
Learn By Doing with Skills-based Learning
Because Honolulu is a unique city, MASCOM students have opportunities for jobs and internships with many multinational companies. Classrooms are centrally located in the downtown financial district of Honolulu, near the state legislature, print and television news organizations, media production companies, public relations firms, and advertising agencies.
Faculty in HPU’s MASCOM program are excellent teachers and involved mentors for all students. Their awards and experiences include a Fulbright Senior Fellow Nomination, the Walt Disney-Hollywood Pictures Fellowship Writer’s Award, the Lawrence A. Frost Literary Award, the HPU Trustees Award for Teaching Excellence, the CLIO Award for Advertising, KHON2 media commentator, and Peace Corps volunteer.
HPU's MASCOM program offers two elements not commonly offered by other programs. Emphasis in technical design training with courses in Digital Graphic Design and Web Design). And a strong international and intercultural component with courses in International Communication and Media and Globalization.
The MASCOM program is a professionally oriented curriculum; however, students planning to continue studies toward a Ph.D. will find the program’s intellectual breadth and depth, academic rigor, and emphasis upon integrating theory with practical application perfectly aligned with their future plans. Students may take up to two electives from other related programs, such as Master of Business Administration, Master of the Arts in Sustainability, and others, to count toward their MASCOM degree.
Curriculum & Courses Tailored to Career Pathways
Effective communication and the ability to express ideas clearly in both the written and spoken word is a critical skill for everyone, both personally and professionally. Nearly every profession requires successful communication. Graduates of the MASCOM program at HPU are uniquely prepared for thriving careers across a wide spectrum of industries.
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HPU's unique focus on applied technology and global contexts provides MASCOM graduates with the skill sets for careers in marketing, advertising, mass media, social media, digital communication, public relations, entertainment, education, and other fields.
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By their choice of electives and capstone projects, MASCOM students can elect to focus their studies in areas such as strategic communication, social media strategies, public/media relations, integrated communication and more.
View Sample Degree Plans
- 36 credits
- $821 per credit hour*
*AY24-25 tuition rate, hpu.edu/tuition
View estimated cost of attendance, hpu.edu/costs
Sample Degree Plan, Full-time enrolled
Year One
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Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
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Year Two
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Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
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*Students must take at least 1 applied technology and 1 global context course before they graduate. These courses may also count as electives if students have already fulfilled this requirement. *COM 6900 Internship is required.
Electives
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COM 6510 Web Design COM 6460 Graphic Design COM 6440 Dig. Photo/video & Postproduction |
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COM 6310 International Communication COM 6780 Media and Globalization |
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COM 6350 Events Planning COM 6085 Writing for Communication professionals COM 6910 Selected Topics in Communication COM 6020 Communication Campaigns COM 6200 Organizational Communication management COM 6580 Social Media Strategy COM 6305 Crisis Communication COM 6085 Writing for Communication Professionals COM 6910 Podcasting |
Undergraduate students advancing to a Master Degree in Strategic Communication can now earn the MASCOM in less time under its concurrent program. Students who meet the eligibility requirements of the Concurrent Program—current undergrad student with 90 credit hours (including current term and transfer credit), at least 15 credit hours earned at HPU and a GPA of at least 3.0—may use this form to request to take up to 12 credits (4 courses) of the graduate courses in the table below. These courses will serve as substitutes for the corresponding undergraduate course and are counted toward both the completion of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. Request must be approved by both undergraduate and graduate advisors.
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Graduate |
Undergraduate |
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COM 6000 Communication Theory |
COM 3900 Communication Theory |
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COM 6305 Crisis Communication |
MC 3740 Crisis Communication |
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COM 6350 Events Planning |
MC 3750 Special Events Planning |
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COM 6440 Digital Photography, Videography and Postproduction |
MULT 3600 Cinematic Narrative Production |
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COM 6510 Web Design |
MULT 3475 Web Interface and Design |
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COM 6580 Social Media: Theory and Practice |
MC 3300 Social Media |
JOIN HPU'S STRONG ALUMNI NETWORK
“If you’re considering coming to HPU, do it; you won't regret it. Dive in completely, because once you do, you reap so much reward. HPU encourages you to take advantage of their resources, so take that opportunity.”
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MASCOM graduates, such as those listed below, have used their Final Capstone Projects as the genesis for launching successful media companies:
- Olena Heu ('13), Founder/CEO Lilikoi Ladies LLC, a Marketing Communications Agency specializing in social media, Honolulu, Hawaiiʻi. Ms. Heu is a former news anchor, FOX KHON2, and recipient of the Edward R Murrow Award.
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Jason Cutinella ('06), CEO & Founder, Nella Media Group, Honolulu, Hawaiiʻi.
- Naomi Giamrone ('05) Owner and Co-publisher, Element Media, Honolulu, Hawaiiʻi.
Other notable alumni have established successful careers in public relations, social media, project management, marketing, and more:
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Reed Pasatiempo ('19 Graduate Valedictorian), Project Manager at the Audio Visual Company (AVCO); former E-Sports Arena Manager (HPU), Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
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Thitikarn Simreewong ('19), Marketing Coordinator at Next Design, LLC. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
- Kawena Lei Carvalho-Mattos ('16), Special Projects Manager at CNHA: Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
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Edyta Tudruj ('10), Account Executive,
Primum Public Relations, Warsaw, Poland. -
Katie Vanes ('09), Public Relations and Social Media Manager at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay.
Apply to Earn your MASCOM DEgree at Hawaiʻi Pacific University
Admissions requirements:
- Apply online hpu.edu/apply ($55 app fee)
- Official transcript/s (bachelor’s degree or higher)
- Resume
- Online essay questions
- One (1) letter of recommendation
- Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher outside of the U.S. are required to demonstrate their English proficiency. Additional details can be accessed on the website hpu.edu/gradintl