Online Master of Science in Strategic Brand Communication (SBC)
World class brand leaders start here.
Today’s executives need to know the latest digital technologies, techniques and strategies to market, advertise and consistently deliver brand communication that impacts revenue growth. The online Master of Science in Strategic Brand Communication is a 32-credit hour, interdisciplinary degree offered through the Sandage Department of Advertising in collaboration with the Gies College of Business. Designed for working professionals and offered fully online, the SBC degree may be completed within 17 months. The University of Illinois SBC program was voted the #1 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Communications by Best College Reviews and one of the top 10 Best Accredited Online Master’s in Communication Programs of 2022 by Best Colleges.
Through the SBC program, you will learn to:
- Effectively drive brand messaging and content across all channels
- Refine analytic and integrative capabilities
- Respond to new technologies, emerging media and market trends
- Leverage advertising, social, digital and mobile
- Acquire senior leadership and management skills
- Develop and manage the brand communication process
You may also enroll in individual courses or earn a Strategic Brand Communication Certificate in:
- Media & Analytics
- Strategic Brand Communication Essentials
- Consumer Insights
- Custom Certificate (Choose three SBC courses)
Fall 2025 Application Deadlines:
Early Bird: April 15, 2025 | Priority: June 1, 2025 | Final: July 15, 2025
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What subjects does this program cover?
- Strategic Branding: Global Perspectives
- Business Management
- Consumer Insights
- Measurement & Evaluation
- Promotional & Messaging Strategy
- Strategic Analytics & Data Visualization
What are the requirements for admission?
- The SBC program is flexible, and our application requirements are as well.
- While a Bachelor’s degree is required, your degree can be in any discipline.
- GRE test scores are not required.
Where do students from this program get jobs?
- OMD USA
- Spark Foundry
- Chicago Bulls
- Mindshare
- Crosby Marketing Communications
- Adidas
- Vita Coco
What are the application deadlines?
- Early Bird: April 15, 2025
- Priority: June 1, 2025
- Final: July 15, 2025
Day in the Life of an SBC Student
Julian Garcia, a student in the Strategic Brand Communication Online Master’s Degree program at the University of Illinois, shares his experience working full time and being a student in the program.
Build a Community
Bea Perkins, a student in the SBC Program, talks about the community you build as an SBC student and how it can make an impact on your education.
What subjects does this program cover?
-
Strategic Branding: Global Perspectives
-
Business Management
-
Consumer Insights
-
Measurement & Evaluation
-
Promotional & Messaging Strategy
-
Strategic Analytics & Data Visualization
What are the requirements for admission?
-
The SBC program is flexible, and our application requirements are as well.
-
While a Bachelor's degree is required, your degree can be in any discipline.
-
GRE test scores are not required.
Where do our students get jobs?
-
OMD USA
-
Facebook
-
Spark Foundry
-
Chicago Bulls
-
Mindshare
-
Crosby Marketing Communications
-
Adidas
-
Vita Coco
Hear more from others
Katie Glass, MS SBC Class of 2019
"I'm ready to build on my strengths and take my career to the next level. I want to create things that influence and inspire people." 
Mike Yao, SBC Faculty
"New information and communication technologies and recent advancement in computational sciences have disrupted the marketing industries and their practices. Being a researcher of digital media and technology-mediated communication, I believe that it’s important to be at the frontier of such a digital revolution.” 
Stephanie Collier, MS SBC Class of 2018
"I'm looking to shift into brand management. Having both business management and brand strategy courses made SBC the perfect option to elevate my career." 
Amanda Mabry-Flynn, Faculty
"Students have opportunities to engage with real brand communication scenarios. I’ve seen students develop new insights and apply strategies they design in class directly to their work." 
Akida Ekram, MS SBC Class of 2021
"SBC doubled my salary. I'm also working on a business with my partner to implement the things I've studied." 
Michelle Nelson, Faculty
"MS SBC offers the best of business plus advertising in a flexible online degree format. You'll learn from top faculty, fellow students, and SBC alumni – we are a community!" 
Kara Dempsey, MS SBC Class of 2022
"Each class leaves me with a sense of validation and pride that my meandering career path has never allowed for before." 
Yatevia Manning, SBC Class of 2019
"I appreciated strategizing on reaching a new audience, extending a brand, projecting a five-year plan. I directly applied what I was learning in real time." 
Guillermo Duarte, SBC Class of 2021
"My favorite part was learning from passionate faculty and colleagues...ample opportunity to discuss ideas with classmates and gain valuable insights." 
Carlos Torelli, Faculty
"The connections that consumers establish with an iconic brand are enduring and difficult to emulate by competitors, and hence become a distinctive source of competitive advantage." 
Joshua Berger, MS SBC Class of 2021
"SBC helped me land a job at an agency I enjoy working at. One of the best investments of my life." 