Master's in Communication
At MorningStar University
Preparing high-impact leaders to change their world.
The Need for Leaders:
In a rapidly changing the world, there is a desperate need to raise up leaders in every field who can communicate their worldview with poise, power, and effectiveness. Jesus made the issue of effective communication central when He commanded us to "preach the gospel to all creation” (see Mark 16:15). However, we often need specific training and equipping in order to refine the message we have been given, know our target audience, and communicate with them in a way that truly transforms lives.

The Master's in Communication program is a 12-month accredited program that combines the leadership development elements of our current Master's in Leadership program with specialized training in the areas of writing, communication, journalism, and marketing. Master's candidates will hear from the same high-impact leaders that teach in our Master's in Leadership program, while also receiving specialized teaching and workshops designed to refine their communication and writing skills and help every author grow in their gifting. Master's in Communication teachers and trainers include authors from every field already included in our Master's program, as well as specialized training from Rick Joyner and Michael Fickess.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When does the program begin and what is the schedule?
  • This 12-month program begins with a Master's weekend on September 2-4, 2021.
  • Master's weekends include three sessions on Thursday, three sessions on Friday, and one session on Saturday.
  • Master's weekends are always Thursday-Saturday on the first full weekend of the month (with the exception of April 7-9, 2022).
Do I have to apply and enroll in the program for the full year?
  • We recommend the full year program for most students because it allows students to build relationships and refine their skills within a growing writers’ community. However, we also offer one-month audit and multi-year flex options.
What is the cost?
  • For Master's candidates who are planning to receive a degree and write a thesis or self-published book, the yearly tuition is $10,800. This also includes all fees, meals (breakfast not included), and feedback on major writing assignments.
  • For monthly auditors, the monthly fee is $300, including meals. This includes all instruction and workshops, but monthly auditors are not required to write assignments and do not receive detailed feedback on assignments.
  • For multi-year flex Master's candidates who are planning to receive a degree and write a thesis or self-published book, the yearly tuition remains $10,800. However, this is paid in 12 monthly payments, one on each month of attendance, until the degree is complete.
What unique features does the Master's in Communication training include?
  • Our training includes in-depth teaching and coaching on the writing process, a model for peer critique and review of ongoing projects, training in journalism and editorial writing, marketing, worldview discernment and development, and the publishing process.
What is a Master's weekend like?
  • We design each Master's weekend to be an intimate retreat environment. In addition to our teaching sessions and workshops, we also use our catered meal time to bring our discussion deeper and bring light to the issues of our day.
  • Our previous Master's students have described our Master's weekend as the highlight of each month and a time of transformational growth and change.
  • The small size of our sessions has allowed us to cultivate the kind of koinonia we need to grow as leaders.
Contact Our Office at:
MSUOffice@mstarm.org
Or Call: (803) 547-8494
Instructors Include:
Rick Joyner has authored more than sixty books, including The Final Quest Trilogy, Awakening: A Personal Sojourn, The Second American Revolution/Civil War, and The Fire on the Mountain series. He is the Founder and Executive Director of MorningStar Ministries, a multi-faceted mission organization known around the world. 
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2016; D. Th., MSU College of Theology, 2011
Michael Fickess is devoted to calling believers to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through authentic community, effective prayer, revelational knowledge of Scripture, and hunger for the “deep things” of God. Michael is a prolific author, intercessor, speaker, and Bible teacher at Morningstar University and Comenius School for Creative Leadership, Morningstar’s K-12 school. As the director of the MSU Master's program and an experienced author, Michael also provides personal coaching for every student to refine their writing gift and develop their Master’s thesis.
M.A. in Middle Eastern History, SUNY College at Brockport, 2010
Dave Yarnes, Vice President of MorningStar Ministries, represents a unique voice in business today. He has been a serial entrepreneur for the last thirty years, starting or owning businesses such as award-winning hotels and restaurants, a nationally chartered bank, and a performing arts center. His range of experience and depth of knowledge is in high demand as an executive coach, consultant, and keynote speaker. Dave’s humor, candor, and spiritual insight paints a picture of business that is not often seen.
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2016; AS, Jamestown Community College; BA in Psychology, University of Buffalo
Marc Nuttle is an attorney representing corporations, business projects, and political entities nationally and internationally. He is the managing partner of Oklahoma Sovereign Development, LLC (OSD) and is widely recognized for his expertise in forecasting political and economic trends. In 1994, he helped established a Political Affairs Department for the National Federation of Independent Business, and he has served on the Industrial Policy Advisory Committee for Trade and Policy matters for the United States Government under President Ronald Reagan. He also served as legal counsel to President Reagan’s United States Synthetic Fuels Transition Team. Internationally, Mr. Nuttle has advised the countries of Bulgaria and Ukraine as well as corporations owned and controlled by the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, he has represented the State of Oklahoma for international economic development and has lectured in London on political and economic topics to Members of Parliament and to Conservative Party leaders in Great Britain. Mr. Nuttle is also the author of Moment of Truth: How Our Government’s Addiction to Spending & Power Will Destroy Everything That Makes America Great.
J.D. 1975; B.A. Economics, University of Oklahoma, 1971
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin serves as Executive Vice President of the Family Research Council. He was one of the original members of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force and was privileged to command these elite warriors in combat operations. He ultimately commanded all the Army’s Green Berets as well as the Special Warfare Center and School. Lt. Gen. Boykin spent thirty-six years in the army, serving his last four years as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. He is an ordained minister with a passion for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging Christians to become warriors in God’s kingdom.
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2014; B.A. Education, Virginia Tech, 1970
Dr. Nicholas Papanicolaou served as vice president of the Onassis Organization in New York from 1973-1975 before joined his family’s business interests in shipping and other investments. In 1983, he became controlling shareholder and Co-Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, and is president of Lion Finance SA, a family investment vehicle. Dr. Papanicolaou is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the World Public Forum’s “Dialogue of Civilizations” and is heavily involved in other institutions, such as the Knights of Malta and The Oak Initiative.
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2014; M.A. in Business Administration, Columbia University, 1972; B.A. in Economics, Harvard University, 1970
Hall of Famer Mike Gottfried played college football at Morehead State University from 1962-1965. He served as head coach at Murray State University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Kansas, and the University of Pittsburgh, compiling a career record of 76-55-4. He has been a college football color analyst and color commentator for ESPN. In 2000, Mr. Gottfried founded Team Focus, which helps fatherless boys age nine to seventeen foster self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence by providing them with leadership skills, guidance, and an ongoing relationship with a mentor. Team Focus is currently in twenty-six U.S. states with more than 1,000 boys involved. Mr. Gottfried also wrote an autobiography, Coach’s Challenge: Faith, Football, and Filling the Father Gap.
B.A., 1966; M.A. in Education, Morehead State University, 1971
Al Wood quickly became successful in basketball, where he earned All-American status in high school and college and went on to set scoring records in the ACC and NCAA. He was a member of the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team and became the fourth player picked in the first round of the 1981 NBA draft. After the NBA, Mr. Wood played professional basketball overseas but eventually moved back to the States and traveled around the country as a motivational speaker, trainer and team builder, evangelist, platform guest, sports radio and TV spokesperson, prison minister, and private consultant. He also served five years as Principal, Athletic Director, and Head Basketball Coach at Comenius School of Creative Leadership. Mr. Wood is currently an ordained minister with MorningStar Ministries.
University of North Carolina, 1981
Rick Joyner has authored more than sixty books, including The Final Quest Trilogy, Awakening: A Personal Sojourn, The Second American Revolution/Civil War, and The Fire on the Mountain series. He is the Founder and Executive Director of MorningStar Ministries, a multi-faceted mission organization known around the world. 
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2016; D. Th., MSU College of Theology, 2011
Michael Fickess is devoted to calling believers to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through authentic community, effective prayer, revelational knowledge of Scripture, and hunger for the “deep things” of God. Michael is a prolific author, intercessor, speaker, and Bible teacher at Morningstar University and Comenius School for Creative Leadership, Morningstar’s K-12 school. As the director of the MSU Master's program and an experienced author, Michael also provides personal coaching for every student to refine their writing gift and develop their Master’s thesis.
M.A. in Middle Eastern History, SUNY College at Brockport, 2010
Dave Yarnes, Vice President of MorningStar Ministries, represents a unique voice in business today. He has been a serial entrepreneur for the last thirty years, starting or owning businesses such as award-winning hotels and restaurants, a nationally chartered bank, and a performing arts center. His range of experience and depth of knowledge is in high demand as an executive coach, consultant, and keynote speaker. Dave’s humor, candor, and spiritual insight paints a picture of business that is not often seen.
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2016; AS, Jamestown Community College; BA in Psychology, University of Buffalo
Marc Nuttle is an attorney representing corporations, business projects, and political entities nationally and internationally. He is the managing partner of Oklahoma Sovereign Development, LLC (OSD) and is widely recognized for his expertise in forecasting political and economic trends. In 1994, he helped established a Political Affairs Department for the National Federation of Independent Business, and he has served on the Industrial Policy Advisory Committee for Trade and Policy matters for the United States Government under President Ronald Reagan. He also served as legal counsel to President Reagan’s United States Synthetic Fuels Transition Team. Internationally, Mr. Nuttle has advised the countries of Bulgaria and Ukraine as well as corporations owned and controlled by the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, he has represented the State of Oklahoma for international economic development and has lectured in London on political and economic topics to Members of Parliament and to Conservative Party leaders in Great Britain. Mr. Nuttle is also the author of Moment of Truth: How Our Government’s Addiction to Spending & Power Will Destroy Everything That Makes America Great.
J.D. 1975; B.A. Economics, University of Oklahoma, 1971
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin serves as Executive Vice President of the Family Research Council. He was one of the original members of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force and was privileged to command these elite warriors in combat operations. He ultimately commanded all the Army’s Green Berets as well as the Special Warfare Center and School. Lt. Gen. Boykin spent thirty-six years in the army, serving his last four years as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. He is an ordained minister with a passion for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging Christians to become warriors in God’s kingdom.
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2014; B.A. Education, Virginia Tech, 1970
Dr. Nicholas Papanicolaou served as vice president of the Onassis Organization in New York from 1973-1975 before joined his family’s business interests in shipping and other investments. In 1983, he became controlling shareholder and Co-Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, and is president of Lion Finance SA, a family investment vehicle. Dr. Papanicolaou is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the World Public Forum’s “Dialogue of Civilizations” and is heavily involved in other institutions, such as the Knights of Malta and The Oak Initiative.
D. Min, Phoenix University of Theology, 2014; M.A. in Business Administration, Columbia University, 1972; B.A. in Economics, Harvard University, 1970
Hall of Famer Mike Gottfried played college football at Morehead State University from 1962-1965. He served as head coach at Murray State University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Kansas, and the University of Pittsburgh, compiling a career record of 76-55-4. He has been a college football color analyst and color commentator for ESPN. In 2000, Mr. Gottfried founded Team Focus, which helps fatherless boys age nine to seventeen foster self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence by providing them with leadership skills, guidance, and an ongoing relationship with a mentor. Team Focus is currently in twenty-six U.S. states with more than 1,000 boys involved. Mr. Gottfried also wrote an autobiography, Coach’s Challenge: Faith, Football, and Filling the Father Gap.
B.A., 1966; M.A. in Education, Morehead State University, 1971
Al Wood quickly became successful in basketball, where he earned All-American status in high school and college and went on to set scoring records in the ACC and NCAA. He was a member of the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team and became the fourth player picked in the first round of the 1981 NBA draft. After the NBA, Mr. Wood played professional basketball overseas but eventually moved back to the States and traveled around the country as a motivational speaker, trainer and team builder, evangelist, platform guest, sports radio and TV spokesperson, prison minister, and private consultant. He also served five years as Principal, Athletic Director, and Head Basketball Coach at Comenius School of Creative Leadership. Mr. Wood is currently an ordained minister with MorningStar Ministries.
University of North Carolina, 1981
Michael Fickess is devoted to calling believers to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through authentic community, effective prayer, revelational knowledge of Scripture, and hunger for the "deep things" of God. He earned a Master's degree in Middle Eastern History after developing a heart for the Middle East during his tour of duty as an infantry soldier in Baghdad. Michael's works include Enoch's Blessing, The Restoration of All Things, and Paths of Ever-Increasing Glory.
For Any Inquiries:
Contact Our Office at:
MSUOffice@mstarm.org
Or Call: (803) 547-8494
All Rights Reserved - MorningStar University