Strategic communication encompasses the traditional practices of public relations and advertising, and is designed to help various kinds of organizations (for-profit corporations, healthcare, education, sports, government, social service, etc.) accomplish their goals. Courses in this sequence examine organizational problems in areas such as marketing, employee relations, community relations, etc., and then draw upon communication and social science theories to find creative communication solutions to these problems. By drawing on a base of theoretical knowledge and developing students’ written and oral communication skills, this sequence prepares students to enter public relations and advertising where they can work in either agencies or in organizations that have a formal communication function. Typical entry-level job titles include account coordinator, media buyer, assistant account executive, copywriter, public relations specialist, special events coordinator, sports information specialist, public affairs or public information specialists.

Communication Core:

____ COM 1110: Human Communication 

____ COM 1111: Mediated Communication Systems

____ Internship, Travel Study, Undergrad Research/Creative Work or COM 3000-level or above elective

____ COM 2261, 2262, 2263, or 2265 Practicum (2 credits)

____ COM elective outside of major sequence (4 credits)

____ COM 3390: Communication Law and Ethics

Sequence Core:

____ COM 2225: Foundations of Strategic Communication

____ COM 3315: Strategic Message Development in Public Relations

____ COM 3325 Strategic Message Development in Advertising

____ COM 3365: Case Studies in Strategic Communication

____ COM 3385: Applied Research in Strategic Communication

____ COM 4415: Strategic Communication Campaign Management

PLUS 8 credits of non-communication courses related to sequence (with the advisor’s approval) – may count towards minor

TOTAL = 54 credits