»MS in Health and Strategic Communication

Students work closely with faculty to generate original research projects and reports through the use of unique survey data and national surveillance data sets.  Student research on topics of communication theories, vulnerable populations, health literacy, distant care giving, media portrayals, aging, and patient-provider interactions has been presented at various local and national communication and scientific conferences, including:

• International Communication Association
• National Communication Association
• Institute for Healthcare Advancement’s Annual Health Literacy Conference
• Western States Communication Association

Graduates of our program have found work with public health organizations, non-profits, and university-affiliated research institutes.  Grads have also gone on to pursue advanced degrees in medicine and communication. 

Networking

Chapman’s Orange County, California location provides unparalleled opportunities for research, internships and work experiences through our faculty’s strong relationship with various agencies, organizations, universities and hospitals throughout Southern California and the world.  You will be introduced to a network with high-powered professionals from local organizations, including: 

• Dairy Council of California
• Entertainment Industries Council
• Institute for Healthcare Advancement
• Orange County Alzheimer’s Association

Internships and volunteer opportunities are a great way for current students to network in the community and gain transferable skills that look great on your resume.  These avenues often lead to careers.

What is Health and Strategic Communication?

Health and Strategic Communication (HSCOM) involves creating shared meaning about health care and conditions, and encompasses the crucial role of effective communication in medical care, disease prevention, health promotion and health education. Health Communication is also the study and use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual, institutional and public audiences about important health issues. 

What is the role of the health communicator?

Health and Strategic Communication is one of the fastest growing areas in the communication field. Health communicators have many roles in society today:

• Educate the public and the healthcare industry about relevant health information
• Work with health-care providers and community leaders to develop, implement and evaluate widespread community health-based programs
• Improve relationships between patients and health-care providers
• Work one-on-one with community groups to achieve community health-care goals
• Help with emergency and crisis communications
• Work in local, state and federal agencies; hospitals; non-profits; public health departments; insurance companies; foundations; publishing firms; and universities

What types of undergraduate majors fit with HSCOM?

Because health communication is such a multidisciplinary field, our students come from a wide-range of academic backgrounds including but not limited to:

• Biology
• Communications
• Health Sciences
• Journalism
• Kinesiology
• Leadership & Organizational Studies
• Psychology
• Public Relations & Advertising

What types of job opportunities are available?

Health and Strategic Communication students seek opportunities in federal, state and local agencies; hospitals; public health departments; community organizations; foundations; biotech companies; and non-profits.

Employed as Health Promoters, Research Analysts, Health Communication Specialists, Community Outreach Coordinators, and Project Directors, our graduates have found work and further education opportunities at:

• Center for Media and Public Affairs 
• Center for Orofacial Disorders, University of Pacific School of Dentistry  
• Clinical AIDS Research and Education Center (CARE), UCLA Medical Center
• Entertainment Industries Council 
• Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS
• PDI Dental Surgery Center 
• University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Office of Clinical Research and Trials
• USC School of Dentistry

How long is the M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication Program?

Chapman University’s one-year accelerated M.S. program runs August to July.

Are evening classes available?

Each course is generally offered one night per week, Monday through Thursday from 4:00-6:50 p.m. or 7:00-9:50 p.m. Students usually take four courses each semester, as well as one course during January interterm and one course during June and early July for Summer Session 1.

Prerequisites:

You must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and must provide evidence of satisfactory coursework in the following two areas:

•     Research Methodology
•     Statistics

All prerequisites must be met by the beginning of the program start date.

Admission Requirements:

•     Online application for admission (includes $60 non-refundable application fee)
•     Official transcript from degree granting institution
•     Graduate Admission Test Scores – The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.   Applicants must achieve the following minimum scores which are listed as previous version test scores and new version comparative test scores, respectively: Verbal:  500/153; Quantitative:  550/146; Analytical Writing: 4.0/4.0.
•     Letters of recommendation – two letters of recommendation are required, including one from an academic source which describes your professional and academic abilities.
•     Statement of intent – a 500 word essay addressing the area of communication in which you are interested.
•     Resume – a resume or curriculum vitae is required
•     TOEFL (International Students Only) – applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree outside of the United States are required to achieve an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), minimum 550 (paper-based), or 80 (internet-based).
•     Financial Certification Form (International Students Only)
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