Strategic Communication - B.A.
The Strategic Communication major addresses the broad principles of communication that apply to organizational leadership, public relations engagement, and human communication. Graduates are prepared for graduate education as well as careers in public relations firms, advertising agencies, health care organizations, educational institutions, social service organizations, retail and manufacturing, financial institutions, government agencies, lobbying, and sports and entertainment industries. Grounded in the strengths of theory and practice, the strategic communication curriculum develops students' skills and perspectives through coursework, technique, and application in partnership with nonprofit and on-campus organizations, and local media outlets.
Public Relations: This specialization prepares students in the professional practices of the public relations industry. Students gain expertise in strategic planning, writing, promotion and publicity, graphic design, and media tools and techniques.
Organizational Communication: This specialization creates opportunities to evaluate and prioritize communication with internal and external constituencies of an organization. It applies traditional interpersonal and group communication skills in an organizational, structural context.
Human Communication: This specialization provides comprehensive preparation in communication theory and practice. Graduates are prepared for a wide variety of careers and graduate education.
Requirements (46 credits)
Communication Core (12 credits)
Choose one Communication Lab:
Strategic Communication Core (19-20 credits)
| COM-227 | Research Methods in Communication | 3 |
| COM-233 | Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| COM-321 | Persuasion | 3 |
| COM-366 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COM-370 | Symbols and Imaging | 3 |
| COM-445 | Communication Internship | 3 |
| COM-201 | Public Relations Practicum | 1 |
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| or | |
| COM-300 | Communication Research Practicum | 1 to 2 |
COM-201 must be taken two times but may be repeated up to 8 times.
COM-300 may each be repeated up to 4 times.
Specializations (Choose one)
Public Relations Specializations (15 credits)
| COM-112 | Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling | 3 |
| COM-224 | Introduction to Newswriting | 3 |
| COM-331 | Public Relations Writing and Publicity | 3 |
| COM-431 | Public Relations Campaigns and Cases | 3 |
| DES-101 | Design Fundamentals | 3 |
Organizational Communication Specialization (15 credits)
Human Communication Specialization (15 credits)
| COM-209 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COM-280 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COM-326 | Conflict Communication | 3 |
| COM-352 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
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| Choose one 200 level or higher (SOC, PSY or POL) with approval (3) | 3 |
