Online Master of Science in Strategic Integrated Communication

Be the Strategic Leader Teams Trust

Want to lead integrated communication across PR, advertising, digital, and emerging media? BU COM’s Online MS in Strategic Integrated Communication prepares mid‑level professionals to design cohesive strategies, manage crises with empathy, and guide teams in corporate, nonprofit, agency, and government settings.

  • Eight courses (32 credits) delivered in seven-week modules
  • Self-paced part-time format
  • Fully online + asynchronous design to reduce scheduling barriers
  • Synchronous opportunities to participate in live cohort events
  • No GRE required

Go From Individual Contributor to Decision-Maker

Any Shanler smiling portrait with arms crossed.

Learn From Strategic Communication Experts

Amy Shanler, Professor of the Practice and Associate Chair of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations, brings nearly 30 years of senior-level comms leadership to this new program. She has led high-stakes strategy for global brands including Royal Philips, Staples, and Cognos (IBM), co-directed PRLab (the nation’s longest-running student-managed PR agency), and is widely consulted as a crisis communication expert. Her excellence in both teaching and practice has earned top university and industry honors, including BU COM’s Becker Family Teacher of the Year Award and the PR Club’s Crystal Bell for Lifetime Achievement.

An alum who completed her own BU COM master’s degree while working full time, Professor Shanler understands the realities of balancing career, life, and graduate study. She helped design this program alongside alumni and industry leaders who need broader, integrated expertise as they advance into leadership roles. Her courses bring real campaigns, crises, and executive-level challenges into the classroom.

Monique Derico smiling portrait.

Why BU’s Strategic Integrated Communication Master’s?

“Having a program like this behind you gives you such an advantage. BU’s network and community already open so many doors, and pairing that with a degree built for where the industry is headed makes a huge difference. With AI changing everything, this is the kind of structured, updated learning that helps comms professionals stay ahead instead of playing catch-up.”
—Monique Derico, BU COM Alum