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 - 19 credits
COM 110 Human Communication
COM 111 Mediated Communication Systems
COM 212 Writing for the Media
COM 390 Communication Law
COM 499 Senior Seminar
Three credits of travel study, internship, or communication elective at 300 level or above
COM 261, 262, or 263: Practicum (one credit)

3 credits in Communication outside of major sequence

Strategic Communication Sequence - 18 credits
COM 225 Foundations of Strategic Communication
COM 315 Strategic Message Development for Public Relations
COM 325 Strategic Message Development for Advertising
COM 365 Case Studies in Strategic Communication
COM 385 Applied Research in Strategic Communication
COM 415 Senior Seminar in Strategic Communication

Multidisciplinary Classes - 6 credits from these or other courses with advisor’s consent
ART 208 Photography I
ART 308 Photography II (prereq: ART 208)
ECO 240 Free Enterprise and Capitalism (preprq: ECO 207)
ENG 221 Intermediate Writing (prereq: ENG 102)
GBS/MFL Intercultural Perspectives in Business (prereqs: ENG 102)
PHI 246 Business Ethics (prequisite: sophomore standing)
MGT 221Principles of Management
MKT 211 Principles of Marketing
MKT 318 Marketing Communication (prerequisite MKT 211 or COM 201)
MKT 320 Consumer Behavior (prerequisite MKT 211)
MKT 330 Marketing Research (prereq: MKT 211 and MTH 131 or higher)
MKT 375 International Marketing (prereq: MKT 211)
NPL 225 Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
NPL 275 Voluntarism and Philanthropy (prereq: NPL 225)
NPL 325 Fundraising and Program Evaluation (prereq: NPL 225)
PSY 240 Social Psychology (prereq: PSY 202)
PSY 345 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (prereq: PSY 202)
SOC 204 Social Problems
SOC 306 Religion, Society and Culture (prereq: SOC 201)
SRS 222 Sport Marketing
SRS 250 Communication in Sport
GBS/MFL301Intercultural Perspectives in Business (prereqs: ENG 102)

TOTAL = 46 credits