Online Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication
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Online Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication at a Glance
Enhance your current skill set and transform your career with strategic communication expertise.
This flexible 12-credit (four-course) online graduate certificate* is ideal for graduates and professionals looking to advance their knowledge, skills, and applied understanding of public relations, digital marketing, and graphic design. Across four foundational courses, you’ll learn how to research, plan, implement, and evaluate PR and digital marketing campaigns. You’ll practice clear, concise strategic writing. And you’ll explore key principles of design while bolstering your skills as a presenter and visual communicator.
*pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Affordable Tuition Online Courses Expert Faculty No Test Scores Rolling Admission Three Start Dates
Certificate in Strategic Communication Requirements
To earn the certificate, students must complete these four courses:
MDES 6001 Graphic Design Principles
Explore fundamental design concepts and their applications to enhance visual communication.
MDES 6002 Strategic Communications Writing
Develop high-impact writing skills for strategic communication settings.
MDES 6003 Public Relations Principles & Strategy
Learn the process of public relations and how to create effective strategies.
MDES 6004 Digital Marketing Principles & Strategy
Understand digital marketing concepts and their role in achieving business goals.
TIME
Earn your graduate certificate in just four courses or 12 credit hours.
FACULTY
Nationally recognized faculty who practice what they teach and help you succeed beyond the classroom.
LOCATION
Flexible online courses that match your schedule. Accelerate your career without putting your life on pause.
BENEFITS
Course credit for experience and 20% tuition discounts available.
ADMISSIONS
Rolling admissions. No test scores. No recommendations. Three start dates. We make the admission process easy.
Careers in Strategic Communication
Whether you work for, with, or as a communication professional, strategic communication skills are a marketable complement to many career paths — in government, media, business, healthcare, education, nonprofits, and more.
What Will You Learn?
This graduate certificate will provide you with the tools to:
- Craft Compelling Strategies – Develop comprehensive PR and marketing strategies using research, planning, and evaluation to address today’s most pressing communication challenges.
- Enhance Writing Skills – Refine your writing for strategic communication across various platforms, crucial for advancing in communication-intensive fields.
- Master Digital Marketing – Gain hands-on knowledge in digital marketing principles to optimize brand reach and engagement.
- Strengthen Design Foundations – Build on essential graphic design principles to create impactful visual content that resonates with audiences.
What You Will Learn Earning Your Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication
This graduate certificate equips you with essential skills to excel in today’s dynamic digital landscape. You’ll explore core concepts in graphic design, strategic communications writing, public relations, and digital marketing. Through project-based courses, you’ll learn what goes into making strong designs, compelling messages, and strategic PR and digital marketing campaigns.
The curriculum covers topics such as design fundamentals, research and planning, media relations, and audience engagement. You’ll refine your presentation skills and gain proficiency in industry-standard tools, preparing you to create culturally relevant solutions to real-world communication challenges.
MDES 6001 Graphic Design Principles
Explore fundamental design concepts and their applications to enhance visual communication.
MDES 6002 Strategic Communications Writing
Develop high-impact writing skills for strategic communication settings.
MDES 6003 Public Relations Principles & Strategy
Learn the process of public relations and how to create effective strategies.
MDES 6004 Digital Marketing Principles & Strategy
Understand digital marketing concepts and their role in achieving business goals.
All four courses are foundational and require no specialized prior knowledge or coursework. Courses are offered every semester, and you can take them in any sequence. While it’s possible to earn your graduate certificate in as little as one academic year, the schedule is flexible, so you can tailor your pace to fit your personal and professional needs.
The Tulane School of Professional Advancement awards the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication following the completion of 12 credits. The certificate can be earned entirely online. See the Tulane University course catalog for requirements.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of this certificate program will be prepared to:
- Analyze and apply public relations principles to create strategies that drive organizational communication.
- Construct data-driven digital marketing strategies tailored to organizational needs.
- Develop media content suited to diverse audiences and channels, maximizing impact and engagement.
Explore SoPA's Media + Design Program
From digital marketing campaigns to motion graphics to cutting-edge app prototypes, the Media + Design program prepares students to use public relations, digital marketing, graphic design, and interactive design to shape the world around us.
Take a look at all 12 of our applied degree, certificate, and minor offerings. See the work our students and alumni are creating. And find out how everything fits within the larger picture.
Expert Faculty to Guide Your Path
Our diverse faculty—comprised of award-winning industry professionals and experts working in the fields of advertising, digital marketing, graphic design, interactive design and public relations—provide students with workforce-aligned curriculum. Our faculty ensure that students are taught the most up-to-date expertise and skills required of their respective industries today.
SoPA Faculty Feature
“In a society where media is so pervasive and ever-changing, I think it's vital; for students to learn the problem-solving skills necessary to create strategic, innovative, cultural, and socially significant communications solutions.”
Tamar Gregorian, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Professor of Practice
Flexible and Engaging Format
The program’s fully online, asynchronous format allows you to balance your studies with personal and professional responsibilities. Whether you’re advancing in your career or transitioning to the field of strategic communication, this certificate will give you the knowledge and skills to succeed.
Media + Design Student Spotlight
“I really appreciated the ability to learn both in and out of the classroom by getting credit for internships I've completed. I am someone who learns best by doing, and the real-world experience of working in a variety of settings with industry professionals is irreplaceable. I've been able to get credit for internships in digital marketing, web design, and a summer at IBM as a software designer, and each experience has helped me hone in what I want to do after graduation.”
Megan Calvin
Tulane SoPA class of 2020
An Engaging & Flexible Online Learning Experience
Connect with motivated classmates and experienced professionals in an environment that nurtures creativity and collaboration
Year after year, our students earn local and national recognition for their exceptional work. Take a look—and get inspired!
Navigate degree requirements and prepare for the workforce with help from our academic advisors and dedicated career counselor.
Meet our advisory board, the media and design leaders who inform our coursework based on current needs and trends.
Facts at a Glance
Tulane SoPA accepts students on a rolling basis, year-round. Start dates every August, January, and May. We never require test scores or recommendations. Visit our Admissions Process page to learn more.
All tuition is charged by the credit hour and we have minimal fees. Visit our tuition page to see our current tuition rates and use our net price calculator.
We strive to make a Tulane SoPA education affordable for all students. Learn about financial aid, discounts and scholarship opportunities here.
Earn credit for your work experience through a portfolio assessment. Undergraduates can earn up to 24 portfolio credits. Graduate students can earn up to 6 portfolio credits.
SoPA offers career advising to all enrolled students.
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By submitting this form, you agree to receive information about the Tulane School of Professional Advancement’s programs via email, phone and/or text. You may opt out at any time.
