Strategic Communication Leadership (MA)
Credential: Master of Arts
Location: Online
Program Director: Mark Menga, PhD
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.
Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, 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.
Additional Program Information: 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 target and cultivate key audiences, build community support, align internal stakeholders and help create an organizational brand that leads the marketplace. 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. The program will prepare students for a wide range of fields including organizational communication, ministry development, public relations, marketing, social media management, and media direction. Serving in strategic, leadership positions provides opportunity for students to proclaim Christ in both ministry and marketplace. 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: Students 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. 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 and Degree Requirements
| Curricular Structure |
Credits |
| Biblical and Theological Foundations Course |
3 |
| Professional Core Courses |
31 |
| Program Total |
34 |
Bible & Theology Foundations Courses (3 credits)
This chart outlines how prior college-level credits in Bible and theology, as represented on a transcript, apply to the Biblical and Theological Foundations course requirement.
| 15 or less credits of Bible and theology |
BTC 503 Foundations for Integration |
| 16-29 credits of Bible and theology |
BTC 504 Perspectives on Integration |
| 30 or more credits of Bible and theology |
Requirement satisfied |
Professional Core Courses (31 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 |
Admission, Retention, & Graduation Requirements
Admission Requirements
Admission into a master's degree program is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC | Capital. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog.
This program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in communication or a related discipline. For those without an undergraduate background in communication, students may need leveling courses to prepare for studies in this master’s degree. The following courses are available through LBC. Courses must be completed with a 3.0 GPA or better. This determination will be made during the admissions process.
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).
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information.
| Graduate Program |
Program Credits |
# of Transfer Credits |
Age of Transfer Credits |
Min. Grade of Transfer Credits |
| Strategic Communication Leadership |
34 cr. |
6 graduate credits |
10 yrs. |
B |
Academic Advising
Students in this program are supported by the Student Success Coach and Program Director. The Student Success Coach will monitor student progress and provide encouragement to students throughout their studies. The Program Director is available to meet with students to discuss academic questions, explore questions related to course content, provide career advice and help prepare students for their capstone experiences in the program. The Program Director and Coaches are available for in-person or video conference, phone, or email meetings.
In addition, the Program Director will monitor student progress each semester and alert the student and coach regarding any deficiencies to be addressed and/or criteria not being met. Prior to COM 690, the Program Director will audit the student’s file to ensure completion of necessary requirements for graduation. Students will receive a handbook that outlines program policies and procedures and also includes advisement sheets.
Program Retention
Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC | Capital students.
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 3.00
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations
• Adherence to biblical standards and an ethical lifestyle
Faculty
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:
Michael Freeman, DEd
Ryan Geesaman, MS
Mark Menga, PhD
Thom Scott, MA