The online MA in Strategic Communication prepares students to analyze communication challenges, develop strategies based in research and data, and craft impactful messages. Courses are designed and taught by full-time professors who have won industry and university awards for their teaching, research and professional achievements.
Accelerated Online Master’s in Strategic Communication
Advance Your Skills with Expert Faculty Online
Meet The Faculty
Dale Blasingame Associate Professor of Practice, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Dale Blasingame received the 2017 Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching and the 2023 Presidential Excellence Award for Service. Before transitioning to Texas State, Blasingame was a television news producer, winning two Lone Star Emmy awards. He also helped start Leadhub, a marketing agency in San Antonio, and is a travel writer for Lonely Planet.
Dr. Ann Burnette Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Burnette is a Minnie Stevens Piper Professor and Regents' Teacher in the Department of Communication Studies. The Southern States Communication Association presented her the John I. Sisco Excellence in Teaching Award, and she has also received the Texas State University Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching. Dr. Burnette’s scholarship focuses on political campaign rhetoric, the construction of gender in public discourse, historical political debates, and freedom of speech issues. Her B.A. and M.A. are from the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. is from Northwestern University. She is a past president of the Southern States Communication Association.
Dr. Daniel Carter Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Dr. Carter has received the 2024 Presidential Distinction Award for Teaching and the 2021 College Achievement Award for Scholarly/Creative Activities. In 2022, Dr. Carter co-founded Texas Community Health News, an organization that trains students to produce data-driven public health reporting and has placed work in over 80 local, state and national publications. Dr. Carter received his Ph.D. in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Matt Morris Associate Professor of Instruction, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Morris has been teaching nearly 20 years and serves on the Department of Communication Studies Teaching Effectiveness committee. His research focuses on rhetoric and political communication, primarily focusing on social movements, populism, and rhetorics of conspiracy. Dr. Morris received his M.A. from Arizona State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Tricia Burke Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Burke received the 2019 Award for Excellence in Online Teaching, as well as the Presidential Distinction Award (2015, 2017, 2024) and the College Achievement Award (2018, 2019) for Scholarly/Creative Activity at Texas State University. Her research focuses on promoting well-being in close relationships and in the workplace. She also serves on the leadership team for WellCats, where she supports wellness initiatives for faculty and staff at Texas State. In this role, she also researched the culture of health at Texas State, made policy recommendations, and helped design and implement a workplace culture of health training module that is currently offered by Human Resources. Dr. Burke received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Arizona.
Jenny Buschhorn Associate Professor of Practice, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Jenny Buschhorn received the Texas State Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching in 2017 and was nominated for the Texas State University System Regents Award for teaching in 2018. She has twice received the College Achievement Award for Service Excellence in 2021 and 2023. Buschhorn has served as Coordinator of the Texas State University Advertising Program since 2015. Prior to teaching, Buschhorn co-founded a highly successful strategic planning company, The Business Planning Group. She worked at several nationally recognized advertising agencies: GSD&M, McJ, TM and McCann Erickson. She has developed and implemented strategies for high-profile clients including Southwest Airlines, JCPenney, MasterCard, Shell, AT&T, Brinker International, Frost Bank, Airheads, Whataburger, Shiner Beer, HEB, and more. Jenny Buschhorn received her M.A. in advertising from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Stephanie Layne Dailey Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Dailey received the 2018 Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching and the 2015 Award for Excellence in Online Teaching. Her research asks how people learn about and feel part of organizations, focusing on three contexts: organizational membership, wellness, and social media. Dr. Dailey received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Nikkie Saldivar Hodgson Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Nikkie Saldivar Hodgson has 35 years of experience in higher education, including roles in enrollment, retention, recruitment, civic engagement, employee development and training, organizational development, and operations. She has a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and Business and an M.A. in Communication Studies. Her research interests include small working group relationships, leadership language usage in political speeches, and nonverbal communication. She has been recognized for her outstanding online teaching, and her areas of expertise include organizational training and development, interviewing principles, leadership, organizational communication, and interpersonal relationships.