Strategic Communication Leadership (MA)
Credential
Master of Arts
Program Overview
In an environment that is becoming both increasingly complex as well as increasingly secular, for-profit and non-profit organizations seek communication leaders who can help them navigate today’s polarized, digital landscape.
LBC Capital’s Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Leadership equips candidates with advanced skills to help organizations to become pre-eminent in their categories. Serving in strategic, leadership positions provides opportunity for students to proclaim Christ in both ministry and marketplace.
EXPAND AUDIENCE REACH
Learn to effectively communicate across wide demographic and psychographic spectrums using a broad array of digital and analog modalities.
INCREASE INFLUENCE
Develop biblically-based leadership skills to gain greater influence for the gospel across all organizational tiers.
STRENGTHEN EXPERTISE
Be equipped to serve in vital and prominent media and management positions.
ELEVATE EARNING POWER
Grow into leadership roles that provide higher compensation and greater career potential.
A Communication & Media Arts education provides a plethora of career and job possibilities. By earning a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Leadership, you are positioning yourself to become an influential and impactful member of any for-profit or non-profit organization.
Location: Online
Program Mission Statement
The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Leadership program exists to develop creative, highly-skilled communication and media leaders who will influence culture and the Church from a relevant, biblical worldview.
Strategic Communication Leadership Outcomes:
Students will:
1. Appraise various communication and leadership theories in the execution and development of communication teams and strategies.
2. Demonstrate strategic communication professional standards in leadership, messaging, and collaboration with peers and clients.
3. Assess ethical and legal principles and professional codes of ethics and how they are practically applied from a biblical worldview.
4. Participate in a strategic communication leadership capacity/field to further develop skills, knowledge, and experience.
5. Evaluate the unique challenges and opportunities of developing and leading strategic communication efforts for ministry and nonprofit organizations and its implications on their various stakeholders.
6. Integrate a biblical worldview into the practice and evaluation of strategic communication leadership.
Program Philosophy
Ministry Leadership Formation is the cornerstone of this program as we equip biblically grounded students to serve in leadership positions in for-profit and non-profit sectors. The lens of a biblical worldview in which our graduates operate, coupled with practical, professional, strategic communication training and experience will serve to proclaim Christ in word and action.
Educational Philosophy
The educational philosophy of the program uses Biblical Integration to provide Practical Skills to Self-Directed learners.
Biblical Integration: Academic content and Scriptural principles are integrated and applied to professional practice in every course.
Practical Skills: Our courses emphasize practical skills that relate to the profession and to life.
Self-Directed: We view the graduate student as a self-directed learner. Therefore, adult learning methods are emphasized, making the classroom environment an educational workshop that emphasizes interactive methods which utilize the professor’s and students’ unique gifts and life experience.
Curricular Structure/Degree Requirements
Become a leader and valued advisor with timeless and in-demand skills in communication.
Skilled communicators continue to be sought-after by non-profits and businesses in all industries to target and cultivate key audiences, build community support, align internal stakeholders and help create an organizational brand that leads the marketplace.
Whether you want to advance in your current organization or change careers, Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School’s Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Leadership will prepare you for a wide range of fields including organizational communication, ministry development, public relations, marketing, social media management, and media direction.
You will receive instruction from a carefully blended mix of seasoned academic scholars and marketplace professionals who will provide you with a foundation of theory and principles, as well as the best practices for applying them through the lens of a biblical worldview.
| Bible and Theology Core |
3 credits |
| Professional Core |
31 credits |
| Program Total |
34 credits |
Advanced Standing
Applicants pursuing a master's degree may request to transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credits (2 courses) into the master's degree program for which they are applying. Credits transferred must be from coursework completed within the past 10 years with a final course letter grade of B or higher.
Advanced Standing is granted to those students who have completed 30 hours or more of undergraduate Bible and theology courses. Students with less than 30 hours may receive partial Advanced Standing credit proportionate to undergraduate or graduate Bible and theology studies completed. Students’ official transcripts will be evaluated during the admissions process.
Bible & Theology Core
A foundational knowledge of the narrative, content, and interpretation of the Bible for the purposes of the development of a biblical worldview.
BTC 503 Foundations for Integration (3 credits) or BTC 504 Perspectives on Integration (3 credits)
Professional Core
This program combines instruction in biblically-based, bedrock principles and philosophies of strategic communication leadership with practical application in ministry or marketplace environments. All courses are 3 credits, except
COM 690 which is 4 credits.
| COM 505 | Seminar in Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COM 506 | The Communication Vocation | 3 |
| COM 507 | Digital Media Metrics and Analytics | 3 |
| COM 508 | Strategic Communication and Organizational Ethics | 3 |
| COM 509 | Leadership in Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COM 602 | Strategic Communication for Non-Profit Organizations and Ministries | 3 |
| COM 603 | Crisis Communication in Organizations | 3 |
| COM 604 | Communication Consulting and Assessment | 3 |
| COM 690 | Strategic Communication Internship | 4 |
| COM 691 | Strategic Communication Capstone Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 31 |
Admission, Retention, & Graduation Requirements
Admission Requirements
Acceptance into the Master’s degree program at Lancaster Bible College is consistent with the general admissions policy at the College and is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in communication or a related discipline. For those without an undergraduate background in communication, leveling courses may be required to prepare a student for studies in this master’s degree.
Application for Traditional LBC students into the 4+1 option should occur at the end of the Sophomore Year (approximately 1 year before first graduate course is scheduled).
Leveling Courses
This degree is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in communication or a related discipline. For those without an undergraduate background in communication, leveling courses may be available to prepare a student for studies in this master’s degree.
COM 102 Intro to Communication
COM 110 Principles & Practices
COM 320 Survey of Marketing
Courses must be completed with a 3.0 or better.
Application Response
Applicants will be notified within three weeks of the submission of all application materials with regards to their acceptance into a program. Five decisions are possible.
• Full Acceptance: The applicant is fully accepted with no deficiencies or leveling requirements.
• Accepted with Deficiencies: The applicant is accepted into the program with admission's academic deficiencies identified. The applicant will be informed as to the necessary steps required to achieve full acceptance.
• Accepted on Review Status: The applicant is admitted pending further review. This may be because a part of the application was incomplete (e.g. a score was not received in time) or because the applicant did not meet one of the admission's requirements.
• Delay: The applicant may receive an application delay. This may be due to the program being filled, a change in the applicant's life situation, or an event preventing the applicant from attending the first program session. Delayed status applicants will not have to reapply to the program but must pay the program down payment fee.
• Declined: The applicant who is declined will be notified by mail or email. Specific reasons for the decline are not provided.
Academic Advising
Students are supported by the 1) Student Success Coaches and by the 2) Global Program Coordinator.
1) Students will be assigned a Student Success Coach to monitor student progress and to provide encouragement throughout their studies. Coaches are available for in-person, Zoom (or other video streaming options), phone and email meetings. Students will receive and have access to the Handbook for policies and procedures. Additionally, the handbook contains advisement sheets.
2) The Communication & Media Arts Global Program Coordinator will monitor student progress each semester and alert the student and advisor regarding any deficiencies to be addressed and criteria not being met. Prior to COM 690, the Program Coordinator will audit the student’s file to ensure completion of necessary requirements for graduation.
The Program Coordinator is available to meet with students to discuss academic questions, to explore questions regarding course content, to provide career advice (based on a student’s career goals), and to help prepare students for their capstone experiences in the program (including but not limited to COM 690 and COM 691).
Continuous Enrollment
Continuous enrollment is expected. It is understood that extenuating circumstances occur which may prevent a student from enrolling in a given semester. However, this should be viewed as the exception in order to complete the program. Should a student not enroll for six months, he/she will be placed on non-student status and will need to reapply, unless an official “Leave of Absence” has been granted. Please contact your Student Success Coach to learn more about the “Leave of Absence” process/policy.
Retention and Program Completion
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.75
The criteria for retention are reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Should the GPA fall below a 2.75 during the first three courses, the student is considered on probation. The student must meet with the Student Success Coach to determine a plan to raise the GPA to the minimum level. The coach and/or students will also work with the Global Program Coordinator to help determine the best course of action. Student study groups and adjustment to schedules may help to restore the required grade levels. Further matriculation for the degree may be in jeopardy.
If at the completion of the 6th course, the student has not raised the GPA, then the student will receive notice of academic dismissal. The student has the right to appeal through writing to the Registrar. The appeal will be considered by the appeals committee. If the appeal is denied, the student may appeal to the Provost.
Students will also be retained in the program as long as there is continued mission/program fit and adherence to biblical standards and an ethical lifestyle.
Graduation Requirements
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive a degree:
• Satisfactory completion of all required course work
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations
• Adherence to biblical standards and an ethical lifestyle
Program Director
Mark Menga, Ph.D.
Dr. Menga has been teaching communication, media and film courses since the year 2000. Dr. Menga has studied media and culture at the graduate and doctoral levels, specifically looking at how visual media impact the soul.
Faculty
Ryan Geesaman, M.S.
Mark Menga, Ph.D.
Michael Freeman, D.Ed.
Thom Scott