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Doctor of Strategic Communication
Earn Your Doctor of Strategic Communication
Are you ready to make an immediate impact on how communication is understood and practiced in the world today? The Doctor of Strategic Communication is a highly marketable degree designed to meet the demand for exceptional professionals in high-level communication positions within the government, business, nonprofit, religious, and higher education sectors. You can learn strategic messaging tools and theories that can help guide you in real-world applications across various disciplines. You can also develop the tools necessary to handle crisis communication situations and learn how to apply communication solutions in a new media context.
INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL
Advance in leadership roles and position yourself to earn a higher salary.
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE through the doctor of strategic communication program
Develop a theoretical foundation and apply the latest communication tools to solve real-world communication problems.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
Presented from a Christian worldview, this degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach. Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by U.S. News & World Report (2019, 2020 & 2022). Experience the difference through the Doctor of Strategic Communication program.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the Doctor of Strategic Communication program, you can:
- Develop effective models of strategic communication for both public and private sectors.
- Conduct original independent research to properly assess communication issues and effectiveness.
- Integrate communication solutions based on research and practical expertise.
Career Opportunities
- Scholar/Researcher
- Strategic Communications Consultant
- New Media Influencer
- C-Level Leader
- Writer/Author
- Crisis Communication Expert
COM 821 | Introduction to Applied Doctoral Studies in Communication | 3 | Residency course. Provides overview of the historical roots, methodologies and trends in the communication field with particular attention paid to specialized vocabulary and important writers and works. |
COM 822 | Creation & Analysis | 3 | A study of classic and contemporary social science research methodologies and statistics utilized in the study of communication with an emphasis on applications for the communication professional. |
COM 823 | Analyzing Content | 3 | A study of classical and contemporary social science qualitative research methodologies used in and by strategic communication professionals. |
COM 824 | Communication Research | 3 | Advanced application of social science research methodology. Focus on conducting effective communication audits in preparation for doctoral project. Prerequisites: COM 822 and 823. |
COM 853 | Strategic Crisis Communication | 3 | An overview of crisis communication through examination of the history, prominent researchers, theories, strategies, and best practices used in all stages and types of crisis and crisis communication. Emphasis is on current real-world application which includes monitoring trends, utilizing digital tools, responding ethically, and critical thinking. Cross-listed with COM 753. |
COM 855 | Strategic Communication Theory | 3 | An interdisciplinary study of theory and research with critical evaluation of strategic communication application, ethical practices, and theoretical approaches. |
COM 785 | Doctoral Seminar | 1-3 | Special topics courses focusing on specific subdisciplines or involving broad interdisciplinary study. May be taken more than once under varying titles. Taught online unless part of a required residency. |
COM 889 | Doctoral Project Preparation | A zero-credit course covering the doctoral project process. | |
COM 831 | Organizational Communication in the Digital Age | 3 | Provides students with a communication-based perspective of organizations and organizational leadership with a special emphasis on the characteristics of a current and future trends and issues associated with organizations in this digital age. Blends theory and practice. Cross-listed with COM 731. |
COM 896 | Doctoral Project Capstone | 1-3 | DSC candidates complete one of four project options as appropriate to their degree plans. The doctoral candidate must remain registered with three (3) continuing DSC project credits every Fall and Spring academic semester until the project manuscript is successfully defended. Prerequisite: COM 789. Pass/No Pass. |
COM 899 | Doctoral Project Thesis | 1-3 | Supervised research for the DSC thesis. The doctoral candidate must remain registered with three (3) continuing thesis credits every Fall and Spring academic semester until the thesis manuscript is successfully defended. All students must complete a minimum of six credits. Prerequisite: COM 789. Pass/No Pass. |
2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
---|---|---|
Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit a Graduate Degree Paper
Please submit a five-page minimum scholarly or published writing sample that demonstrates your research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills. This writing sample may include either a copy of your master’s thesis (or a portion of it, plus bibliography) or a formal paper or report. Research skills mean both the skill to utilize a writing style manual (e.g., APA) and the skill of integrating published research into an academic paper or report. The paper should be uploaded to regent.edu/items.
Step 4: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 6 | $5,520 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 9 | $8,280 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
Part-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 6 | $5,520 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 9 | $8,280 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Fall 2024
October 23-25, 2024
COM 721 – Intro to Applied Doctoral Studies in Communication (DSC)
Spring 2025
No residencies.
Summer 2025
June 4-6, 2025
COM 821 – Intro to Applied Doctoral Studies in Communication (DSC)
June 11-13, 2025
COM 785 – Doctoral Seminar: DSC Advanced Strategic Communication (DSC)
Residency Requirements
Residency is a necessary component to building academic fellowship and camaraderie among a community of scholars. All doctoral students must attend a 3-credit hour on-campus course, COM 721 Introduction to Applied Doctoral Studies in Communication, scheduled for three days in the student’s first semester of study. This course is a reading/lecture/writing course in the field of strategic communication. The course is also designed to orient students to the DSC program, the School’s faculty, and doctoral-level study in the communication field. Residencies are offered in the summer and fall.
As a Regent University doctoral student, you will complete original research supervised by a faculty member of your school. You will reach milestones for your dissertation as you complete your coursework for the Doctor of Strategic Communication program.
These milestones include:
- Exploring a dissertation topic
- Crafting a proposal
- Drafting your dissertation
- Implementing your dissertation design
- Defense of your dissertation
Discover previous dissertations submitted for the Doctor of Strategic Communication.
Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.