Digital and Social Media Communication, M.S.

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The MS in Digital and Social Media Communication program is one of the first of its kind in the University System of Georgia because it emphasizes digital and social media communication via an online delivery mode. The MS degree is a 100% online program.

The Master of Science in Digital and Social Media Communication seeks to provide aspiring practitioners and current working professionals with the tools necessary to advance their career or pursue further graduate studies. At the same time, the program emphasizes the kinds of advanced critical thinking skills and theoretical foundations that will serve students beyond existing digital platforms or skill sets. With courses that cut across content creation, analytics, strategic communication, and more, students will leave the program with a better understanding of how to adapt to the evolving emerging media marketplace and adopt the kind of entrepreneurial spirit necessary to stand out in today’s crowded digital/social media environment.

Learning Outcomes

Create engaging digital and social media content within ethical and legal parameters
Apply foundational theories in digital and social media communication
Apply effective digital and social media campaign strategies
Evaluate metrics and interpret digital and social media analytics
Design and execute a rigorous, portfolio-building, capstone project

Admission Requirements

The School of Communication, Film, and Media evaluates applications on a competitive basis and considers application requirements in a holistic manner.

All graduate applicants must complete UWG’s online Graduate Application. International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. Official transcripts from all schools attended are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.

Program Specific Admittance Guidelines

Resume/CV (maximum length - two pages)
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
Earned baccalaureate degree; 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or higher preferred (If a student does not meet the GPA requirement for regular admission, the student may be considered for provisional degree admission)
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for advanced professional growth through graduate studies in digital and social media communication (electronic recommendation requests will be available in your application after it has been submitted)
500-word statement of educational or professional goals
Portfolio/sample work which demonstrates evidence of professional competence
Admission is available for fall or spring semester (full-time or part-time)

Program of Study

The M.S. degree in Digital and Social Media Communication requires completion of 30 credit hours of coursework.

Foundational Courses (9 credit hours)

Nine hours of foundational courses provide students the building blocks of graduate study in digital and social media communication in the areas of law, theory, and research.

All students must complete the designated foundational courses.

COMM 6600 - Digital and Social Media Communication Theories 3 Credit Hours
COMM 6654 - Digital and Social Media Communication Law 3 Credit Hours
COMM 6684 - Research Methods in Digital and Social Media Communication 3 Credit Hours

Core Courses (9 credit hours)

Nine hours of core program courses train students in digital and social media communication storytelling, strategies, and analytics and evaluation. The knowledge and skills learned in these courses will be synthesized and applied in a final capstone portfolio project.

All students must complete all core courses in the Digital and Social Media Communication Core.

COMM 6056 - Digital and Social Media Communication Storytelling 3 Credit Hours
COMM 6057 - Digital and Social Media Communication Strategies 3 Credit Hours
COMM 6058 - Digital and Social Media Communication Analytics and Evaluation 3 Credit Hours

Electives (9 credit hours)

Digital and Social Media Communication elective courses are seminar-style courses that provide students the opportunity to explore critical issues and trending topics within digital and social media communication. Students must earn three hours of COMM 6055 Seminar - Topics in Digital and Social Media Communication, and 6 additional hours of digital and social media elective courses (COMM 6055 - Seminar is recommended primary option) or courses selected from graduate courses outside of the Digital and Social Media Communication degree program. Students may take up to six hours of courses from any 5000, 6000 or 7000-level courses in ANTH, CRIM, MGNT, MKTG, POLS, PSYC, or SOCI. Additional elective options must be approved by the graduate studies coordinator. COMM 6055 Seminar - Topics in Digital and Social Media Communication is repeatable as topics vary up to nine hours.

COMM 6055 - Seminar - Topics in Digital and Social Media Communication 3 Credit Hours
5xxx/6xxx/7xxx Courses outside of degree program 0-6 hours

Capstone Project (3 credit hours)

The capstone course requires students to develop a digital strategy and/or social media campaign and content calendar project demonstrating the synthesis and application of the learnings from the Master of Science in Digital and Social Media Communication program. The project will incorporate skills such as branding, layouts, strategic communication, digital strategy, research methods, and/or web design. Under the guidance of an instructor, the student will investigate a real-world digital and social media communication issue, formulate solutions, develop strategies, and produce a research-based portfolio that bridges the gap between theory and practice.

Students electing to enroll in COMM 6655 must submit a Capstone Project Prospectus and receive approval before enrolling.

COMM 6655 - Digital and Social Media Communication Capstone 3 Credit Hours