Admission
Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information and requirements.
If you are an international student, please contact International Student Admissions for additional information.
1. Submit a Graduate Application
A $35 non-refundable application fee is required.
2. Submit official transcripts
A conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Official transcripts should be sent electronically or by mail to:
Wilmington University
Office of Graduate Admissions
320 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Any transcripts from institutions outside of the United States require an official course-by-course evaluation by a NACES.org approved agency. Note: In order to receive financial aid, a transcript must be on file.
3. Program Planning Conference
To schedule your Program Planning Conference with your Program Advisor complete an Online Request form
4. Register for your first courses.
The Master of Science - Digital Communication program uses the APA Research Format for all research papers. If you are not familiar with this citation system, please consider taking Wilmington University's introductory academic writing seminar: Student Success Seminar: APA Style for Graduate Students.
Program Purpose
The Master of Science in Digital Communication is an online, multidisciplinary master’s program, STEM designated, for those holding a bachelor’s degree in communication or related subjects.
This 33-credit program is designed to offer students the experience to learn the digitally evolving field of communications through a project-based, technology driven approach applied throughout the curriculum. Students are required to conduct research, analyze, and evaluate communication data, and generate digital content throughout their coursework.
The program is comprised of an 18-credit communication core focusing on communication skills including communication writing, crisis management, and analytics, coupled with additional training in the student’s selected 15-credit concentration. Students may select one from the following list of communication concentrations:
- Digital & Social Media Strategy
- General Communication
- Healthcare Communication
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Web Design
Program Competencies
The graduate student who successfully completes the M.S. in Digital Communication program will have a level of applicable knowledge in the following areas as appropriate to one’s field of study:
- Analyze legal, ethical, and leadership principles within the field of professional communication.
- Conduct research using methods appropriate to the communication field.
- Write with clarity and precision in a variety of formats and styles appropriate for different audiences, purposes, and publication needs.
- Evaluate communication data using statistical concepts to inform the public.
- Apply tools appropriate for the communication field (graphics, audio, video, text, web, social media, etc.).
- Analyze the impact of communication within an interconnected and technology-driven society.
Digital Communication Core Requirements (18 credits)
Digital and Social Media Strategy Concentration (15 credits)
Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Digital and Social Media Strategy concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following four courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).
Capstone
General Communication Concentration (15 credits)
Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a General Communication concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), four courses (12 credits) from the following list,
and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).
Capstone
Healthcare Communication Concentration (15 credits)
Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Healthcare Communication concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).
Capstone
Marketing Concentration (15 credits)
Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Marketing concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following four courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).
| MBA 7600 | Global Marketing Management | 3 |
| MBA 7603 | Market Research and Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MBA 7606 | Business to Business and Business to Government Marketing | 3 |
| MBA 7615 | Marketing Analytics | 3 |
Capstone
Public Relations Concentration (15 credits)
Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Public Relations concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), the following courses (12 credits), and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).
Capstone
Web Design Concentration (15 credits)
Students completing the M.S. Digital Communication program with a Web Design concentration must complete the Digital Communication core (18 credits), four courses (12 credits) from the following list, and either COM 8000 or COM 8100 (3 credits).
| DSN 6000 | Web Design and Architecture | 3 |
| DSN 6040 | Web Design with JavaScript | 3 |
| DSN 6050 | Markup Languages Advanced Authoring | 3 |
| DSN 6060 | Database/Web Design Integration | 3 |
| DSN 6073 | Server-Side Web Development | 3 |
| DSN 6080 | Internet Development/Design for Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| DSN 6090 | Topics in Web Design and Programming | 3 |
Capstone