The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
Department of Strategic Communication
murrow.wsu.edu
Goertzen Hall 117
509-335-7333
Associate Dean, Professor, and Chair, S. Hust; Director of Integrated Strategic Communication (Vancouver) and Scholarly Associate Professor, N. Iyer; Director of Murrow Online and Scholarly Assistant Professor, I. Haider; Dean and Professor, B. Pinkleton; Professors, E. Austin, P. Bolls, P. Borah; Associate Professors, Y. Lee, J. Willoughby; Assistant Professors, W. Cao, T. Gillig, Q. Huang, H. Lee, Y. I. Lee, N. O'Donnell, W. Peng; Scholarly Professor, R. Cooney; Scholarly Associate Professors, B. Atwood, J. Barnes, E. Candello (Vancouver), L. Paxson (Everett), C. Thomas; Scholarly Assistant Professors, M. Galey, C. Hawkins-Jedlicka, I. Haider, M. Schotzko, E. Tomson, A. Willis; Teaching Assistant Professors, T. Edwards, M. Kistler.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication learn to communication creatively and persuasively to build mutually beneficial, long term relationships between organizations and their target populations. Majors leading to the degree are Advertising, Public Relations, Risk and Crisis Communication, and Integrated Strategic Communication. At the Everett, Global, and Vancouver campuses, only the Integrated Strategic Communication major is available.
- Advertising: Learn how to effectively appeal to consumers by designing and evaluating advertising initiatives using a variety of media platforms. Career Options: Advertising Coordinator; Digital Media Planner; Marketing; Ad Sales; Social Media Strategist; and Creative Director.
- Public Relations: Learn how to foster beneficial relationships with key stakeholders and build and maintain a positive public image for a company or person. Career Options: Public Relations Specialist; Event Planner; Media Relations; Lobbyist; Development Officer; Campaign Manager; and Social Engagement Manager.
- Risk and Crisis Communication: Learn how to design and implement crisis campaigns at the individual and societal levels, and well as steer industry through time of risk and crisis via effective communication strategies. Career options: Crisis Communicator; Crisis Interventionist; Health Communication Coordinator; Risk Communication Specialist; and Public Information Officer.
- Integrated Strategic Communication: Learn to acquire and analyze information to create communication products (writing, visual, and speaking) that address communication objectives via multiple media platforms. Career options: Digital Advertising Coordinator; Social Media Strategist; Brand Strategist; and Consumer Analyst.
Health Communication and Promotion
The minor in Health Communication and Promotion requires a minimum of 18 credits. Students pursuing a degree in the Murrow College may only apply two courses from their major coursework to this minor. For all other areas of study, check with your primary advisor.
Students completing a degree from the Department of Strategic Communication in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication are expected to acknowledge and adhere to the Murrow College Professional Code of Conduct. Student Code of Conduct | Murrow College of Communication | Washington State University (wsu.edu)
Schedules of Studies
Honors students complete the Honors College requirements which replace the UCORE requirements.
Advertising (120 Credits)
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted directly into their desired major in the College of Communication upon admission and enrollment at Washington State University.
To remain admitted in any major in the College of Communication, a student must complete all required courses and have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. COM 300 must be completed with a C or better, and only two attempts are allowed, with a "W" counting as an attempt. With an appeal to the department chair, a student may request to take COM 300 for a 3rd attempt during a summer session. All pre-requisites must be met in order to move through the Murrow curriculum. If a student fails to complete the required curriculum, they will not be able to remain admitted in the Murrow College. If a student is failing to complete academic requirements in a reasonable timeline, an advisor will work with the student to identify another academic path. Students must remain in good academic standing in order to graduate with a degree from the Murrow College.
Direct to Degree for Transfer Students
Transfer students bringing in 30 or more semester credits from an outside institution, and a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA will be directly admitted into the Murrow College. After consulting with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor, a student transferring with junior status (60 or more semester credits), with a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA, and who has completed COM 101 or COM 105 from another institution, will be allowed to take COM 300 in their first semester at WSU with all remaining 100 level required communication courses. All transfer students are required to consult with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor prior to enrollment at WSU.
Additional majors within the Strategic Communication Degree
Students on the Pullman campus, with a primary major in Strategic Communication, can elect to earn an additional major within the degree, with the exception of Integrated Strategic Communication, by completing the second set of major requirements and two additional upper-division courses in COM, COMJOUR, and COMSTRAT. These courses cannot be used elsewhere in the degree. If interested in this option, please consult with a Murrow Academic Advisor.
Double Degree
Students with a primary major/degree in Strategic Communication can earn a double degree in the department of Journalism and Media Production. To be admitted into a second Murrow degree option, please consult with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor. *Note: to earn a second degree, you must complete 150 credits.
Academic Requirements
Below is a detailed schedule of studies in a 4-year format. However, students will develop their own academic plan in consultation with their professional academic advisor through the Murrow Center for Student Success. The BA in Strategic Communication is broken down into four main categories as found in myWSU under your Academic Requirements:
1. College Core Requirements: COM 101; 102; 105; 138; 210; and 300 (18 credits).
2. Strategic Communication Degree Requirements: COM 309; COMSTRAT 310; COMSTRAT 395; COMSTRAT 301; one Advanced Media and Society course from approved list (in footnotes); and one Specialization Elective course (in footnotes) (18 credits).
3. Major Requirements: Advertising: COMSTRAT 380; 381; 382; 476; and 480 (15 credits).
4. Major Upper-Division Electives: (in footnotes) (9 credits).
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 101 | 3 |
| COM 138 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COM 102 [COMM] | 3 |
| COM 105 [HUM] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 4 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 210 | 3 |
| COM 300 [M] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 301 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 310 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 380 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 309 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 381 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 395 | 3 |
| Major Electives 2 | 3 |
| Elective3 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 382 | 3 |
| Major Electives 2 | 3 |
| Electives3 | 9 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 480 | 3 |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Advanced Media and Society Course4 | 3 |
| Electives3 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 476 | 3 |
| Specialization Course5 | 3 |
| Major Electives 2 | 3 |
| Electives3 | 5 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Must complete 5 of these 6 UCORE designations: ARTS, BSCI, DIVR, EQJS, PSCI, SSCI. One lab science (BSCI or PSCI) must be completed. |
| 2 | Major Electives (9 credits): Select 300-400-level courses from COM, COMJOUR, COMSTRAT not used to meet other requirements, COM 495 internship credits, COM 497 or COMSTRAT 499 Special Projects credits in consultation with advisor. A maximum of 6 credits of 495/497/499 may apply towards major electives. |
| 3 | A maximum of 12 credits of COM/COMJOUR/COMSTRAT 495/497/499 allowed towards 120 credits required for graduation. Consult with a Murrow advisor. |
| 4 | Advanced Media and Society Course (3 credits): Select from COM 421, 440, 464, 471, or 479. |
| 5 | Specialization Course (3 credits): Any COM, COMJOUR, or COMSTRAT 475-490 not used to meet other requirements. |
Integrated Strategic Communication (120 Credits)
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted directly into their desired major in the College of Communication upon admission and enrollment at Washington State University.
To remain admitted in any major in the College of Communication, a student must complete all required courses and have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. COM 300 must be completed with a C or better, and only two attempts are allowed, with a "W" counting as an attempt. With an appeal to the department chair, a student may request to take COM 300 for a 3rd attempt during a summer session. All pre-requisites must be met in order to move through the Murrow curriculum. If a student fails to complete the required curriculum, they will not be able to remain admitted in the Murrow College. If a student is failing to complete academic requirements in a reasonable timeline, an advisor will work with the student to identify another academic path. Students must remain in good academic standing in order to graduate with a degree from the Murrow College.
Direct to Degree for Transfer Students
Transfer students bringing in 30 or more semester credits from an outside institution, and a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA will be directly admitted into the Murrow College. After consulting with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor, a student transferring with junior status (60 or more semester credits), with a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA, and who has completed COM 101 or COM 105 from another institution, will be allowed to take COM 300 in their first semester at WSU with all remaining 100 level required communication courses. All transfer students are required to consult with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor prior to enrollment at WSU.
Below is a detailed schedule of studies in a 4-year format. However, students will develop their own academic plan in consultation with their professional academic advisor through the Murrow Center for Student Success. The BA in Strategic Communication is broken down into four main categories as found in myWSU under your Academic Requirements:
1. College Core Requirements: COM 101; 102; 105; 138; 210; and 300 (18 credits).
2. Strategic Communication Degree Requirements: COM 309; COMSTRAT 310; COMSTRAT 395; COMSTRAT 301; one Advanced Media and Society course from approved list (in footnotes) (15 credits).
3. Major Requirements: ISC: COMJOUR 333; COMSTRAT 312; 380; 383; 476; and 485. (18 credits).
4. Major Upper-Division Electives and Internship: (in footnotes) (9 credits).
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 101 | 3 |
| COM 138 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COM 102 [COMM] | 3 |
| COM 105 [HUM] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 4 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 210 | 3 |
| COM 300 [M] | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 301 | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COM 309 | 3 |
| COMJOUR 333 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 312 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 310 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 380 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 395 | 3 |
| Major Electives or COMSTRAT 495 Internship3 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 383 [M] | 3 |
| Major Electives or COMSTRAT 495 Internship 3 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 9 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 485 | 3 |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Major Elective or COMSTRAT 495 Internship3 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 476 | 3 |
| Advanced Media and Society Course4 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 8 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Must complete 5 of these 6 UCORE designations: ARTS, BSCI, DIVR, EQJS, PSCI, SSCI. One lab science (BSCI or PSCI) must be completed. |
| 2 | A maximum of 12 credits of COM/COMJOUR/COMSTRAT 495/497/499 allowed towards 120 credits required for graduation. Consult with a Murrow advisor. |
| 3 | Major Electives (9 credits): Select 300-400-level courses from COM, COMJOUR, COMSTRAT not used to meet other requirements, 3 credits of COMSTRAT 495 internship are required. A maximum of 3 credits of 497/499 may apply towards major electives. |
| 4 | Advanced Media and Society Course (3 credits): Select from COM 421, 440, 464, 471, or 479. |
Public Relations (120 Credits)
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted directly into their desired major in the College of Communication upon admission and enrollment at Washington State University.
To remain admitted in any major in the College of Communication, a student must complete all required courses and have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. COM 300 must be completed with a C or better, and only two attempts are allowed, with a "W" counting as an attempt. With an appeal to the department chair, a student may request to take COM 300 for a 3rd attempt during a summer session. All pre-requisites must be met in order to move through the Murrow curriculum. If a student fails to complete the required curriculum, they will not be able to remain admitted in the Murrow College. If a student is failing to complete academic requirements in a reasonable timeline, an advisor will work with the student to identify another academic path. Students must remain in good academic standing in order to graduate with a degree from the Murrow College.
Direct to Degree for Transfer Students
Transfer students bringing in 30 or more semester credits from an outside institution, and a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA will be directly admitted into the Murrow College. After consulting with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor, a student transferring with junior status (60 or more semester credits), with a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA, and who has completed COM 101 or COM 105 from another institution, will be allowed to take COM 300 in their first semester at WSU with all remaining 100 level required communication courses. All transfer students are required to consult with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor prior to enrollment at WSU.
Below is a detailed schedule of studies in a 4-year format. However, students will develop their own academic plan in consultation with their professional academic advisor through the Murrow Center for Student Success. The BA in Strategic Communication is broken down into four main categories as found in myWSU under your Academic Requirements:
1. College Core Requirements: COM 101; 102; 105; 138; 210; and 300 (18 credits).
2. Strategic Communication Degree Requirements: COM 309; COMSTRAT 310; COMSTRAT 395; COMSTRAT 301; one Advanced Media and Society course from approved list (in footnotes); and one Specialization Elective course (in footnotes) (18 credits).
3. Major Requirements: Public Relations: COMJOUR 333; COMSTRAT 312; 383; 477; and 485. (15 credits).
4. Major Upper-Division Electives and Internship: (in footnotes) (9 credits).
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 101 | 3 |
| COM 138 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COM 102 [COMM] | 3 |
| COM 105 [HUM] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 4 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 210 | 3 |
| COM 300 [M] | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 301 | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMJOUR 333 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 310 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 312 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 309 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 383 [M] | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 395 | 3 |
| Major Electives 2 | 3 |
| Elective3 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 477 | 3 |
| Advanced Media and Society Course4 | 3 |
| Major Electives 2 | 3 |
| Electives3 | 6 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 485 [M] | 3 |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Electives3 | 9 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Specialization Course5 | 3 |
| Major Electives 2 | 3 |
| Electives3 | 8 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Must complete 5 of these 6 UCORE designations: ARTS, BSCI, DIVR, EQJS, PSCI, SSCI. One lab science (BSCI or PSCI) must be completed. |
| 2 | Major Electives (9 credits): Select 300-400-level courses from COM, COMJOUR, COMSTRAT not used to meet other requirements, 3 credits of COMSTRAT 495 internship are required. A maximum of 3 credits of 497/499 may apply towards major electives. |
| 3 | A maximum of 12 credits of COM/COMJOUR/COMSTRAT 495/497/499 allowed towards 120 credits required for graduation. Consult with a Murrow advisor. |
| 4 | Advanced Media and Society Course (3 credits): Select from COM 421, 440, 464, 471, or 479. |
| 5 | Specialization Course (3 credits): Any COM, COMJOUR, or COMSTRAT 475-490 not used to meet other requirements. |
Risk and Crisis Communication (120 Credits)
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted directly into their desired major in the College of Communication upon admission and enrollment at Washington State University.
To remain admitted in any major in the College of Communication, a student must complete all required courses and have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. COM 300 must be completed with a C or better, and only two attempts are allowed, with a "W" counting as an attempt. With an appeal to the department chair, a student may request to take COM 300 for a 3rd attempt during a summer session. All pre-requisites must be met in order to move through the Murrow curriculum. If a student fails to complete the required curriculum, they will not be able to remain admitted in the Murrow College. If a student is failing to complete academic requirements in a reasonable timeline, an advisor will work with the student to identify another academic path. Students must remain in good academic standing in order to graduate with a degree from the Murrow College.
Direct to Degree for Transfer Students
Transfer students bringing in 30 or more semester credits from an outside institution, and a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA will be directly admitted into the Murrow College. After consulting with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor, a student transferring with junior status (60 or more semester credits), with a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA, and who has completed COM 101 or COM 105 from another institution, will be allowed to take COM 300 in their first semester at WSU with all remaining 100-level required communication courses. All transfer students are required to consult with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor prior to enrollment at WSU.
Below is a detailed schedule of studies in a 4-year format. However, students will develop their own academic plan in consultation with their professional academic advisor through the Murrow Center for Student Success. The BA in Strategic Communication is broken down into four main categories as found in myWSU under your Academic Requirements:
1. College Core Requirements: COM 101; 102; 105; 138; 210; and 300 (18 credits).
2. Strategic Communication Degree Requirements: COM 309; COMSTRAT 310; COMSTRAT 395; COMSTRAT 301; one Advanced Media and Society course from approved list (in footnotes); and one Specialization Elective course (in footnotes) (18 credits).
3. Major Requirements: Risk and Crisis Communication: COMSTRAT 324; COMSTRAR 326; COMSTRAT 483 or 478; COMSTRAT 477 or COM 490; COM 486 (15 credits).
4. Major Upper-Division Electives: (in footnotes) (9 credits).
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 101 | 3 |
| COM 138 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COM 102 [COMM] | 3 |
| COM 105 [HUM] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 4 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 210 | 3 |
| COM 300 [M] | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 301 | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 310 | 3 |
| Major Elective2 | 3 |
| Specialization Course3 | 3 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 309 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 324 [M] | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 326 | 3 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 395 | 3 |
| COMSTRAT 477 or COM 490 | 3 |
| Major Elective2 | 3 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COMSTRAT 483 or 478 | 3 |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Electives4 | 9 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Advanced Media and Society Course5 | 3 |
| COM 486 | 3 |
| Major Elective2 | 3 |
| Electives4 | 5 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Must complete 5 of these 6 UCORE designations: ARTS, BSCI, DIVR, EQJS, PSCI, SSCI. One lab science (BSCI or PSCI) must be completed. |
| 2 | Major Electives (9 credits): Select 300-400-level courses from COM, COMJOUR, COMSTRAT not used to meet other requirements, COM 495 internship credits, COM 497 or COMSTRAT 499 Special Projects credits in consultation with advisor. A maximum of 6 credits of 495/497/499 may apply towards major electives. |
| 3 | Specialization Course (3 credits): Any COM, COMJOUR, or COMSTRAT 475-490 not used to meet other requirements. |
| 4 | A maximum of 12 credits of COM/COMJOUR/COMSTRAT 495/497/499 allowed towards 120 credits required for graduation. Consult with a Murrow advisor. |
| 5 | Advanced Media and Society Course (3 credits): Select from COM 421, 440, 464, 471, or 479. |
Minors
Health Communication and Promotion Minor
The Health Communication and Promotion Minor requires a minimum of 18 credits. Required courses included COM 101 or 105, COM 210, and COMSTRAT 478. Additional requirements include one content creation course from COMSTRAT 301, 310, 383, and 477; and two courses in specialized message creation and evaluation from COM 309, 486, COMSTRAT 476, 483, and 485. Nine credits of upper-division work must be taken in residence at WSU or through WSU-approved education abroad or educational exchange courses. Students may be admitted to the minor once they have completed 60 credits, have a WSU cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better, and are admitted to a major. Transfer students can be admitted to this minor after completing 60 total credits and one semester at WSU with a 2.7 or higher WSU GPA. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to remain in the minor. Students pursuing a degree in the Murrow College may apply only two courses from their major coursework to this minor. Check with the Murrow College Student Services Office for additional Information.
Courses
The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.
Health Communication And Promotion (COMHLTH)
570 Health Communication and Behavior Change 3 Application of behavior change theories to construction and evaluation of health communication campaigns. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
571 Communicating Health in Practice 3 Health communication and promotion across a variety of settings and mediums, from interpersonal to promotional campaigns. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
572 Communicating Health to Specialized Populations 3 Literature and theory of cross-cultural communication and cultural aspects of health. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
573 Communicating Health in a Digital Landscape 3 Development and implementation of health-related content through a variety of digital platforms. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
574 Health Message Design and Effectiveness 3 Behavior change theories as they relate to health communication message design and evaluation. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Strategic Communication (COMSTRAT)
270 Personal Branding for NIL, Athletes, Influencers, and Creators 3 Concepts and applications of personal branding including individual branding, representation, social media strategies for success, and the principles of digital storytelling. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
275 Strategic Communication Seminar V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 9 credits. Various specialty topics in strategic communication. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
285 [EQJS] Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in Communication Organizations 3 Core concepts from the world of DEI research applied to daily communications and relationship management in personal and professional settings. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
285 (Effective through Summer 2024) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in Communication Organizations 3 Core concepts from the world of DEI research applied to daily communications and relationship management in personal and professional settings. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
301 Foundations of Persuasion 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to a major or minor in the College of Communication. Theories of persuasion and social action; study of strategies and techniques for the persuasive use of language and other symbols. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
310 Digital Content Promotion 3 Course Prerequisite: COM 210 with a C or better; admitted to a major or minor in the College of Communication; sophomore standing. Practice and promotion of public relations and advertising through digital and social media. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
312 Principles of Public Relations 3 Principles, theories, methods and objectives of public relations; public relations problems and practices. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
324 [M] Reasoning and Writing 3 Course Prerequisite: COM 300 with a C or better; admitted to any major or minor in the College of Communication; sophomore standing. Development of critical thinking, information gathering, and persuasive writing skills using different forms of argumentation; voice, tone, form, structure are emphasized.
324 (Effective through Summer 2024) [M] Reasoning and Writing 3 Course Prerequisite: COM 300 with a C or better; admitted to any major or minor in the College of Communication; sophomore standing. Theories of persuasion and social action; study of strategies and techniques for the persuasive use of language and other symbols.
326 Organizing for Social Change 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to any major; junior standing. Models of social change campaigns, social movements, and organizing grassroots organizations. Typically offered Fall.
380 Advertising Principles and Practices 3 Advertising history, theory and practice by advertising agencies and organizations. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
381 [M] Creative Media Strategies and Techniques for Advertising 3 Course Prerequisite: COM 210 with a C or better; COM 300 with a C or better; admitted to a major in the College of Communication; junior standing. Development of creative content for persuasive campaigns through different media. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
382 Media Planning 3 Course Prerequisite: COMSTRAT 380; admitted to a major in the College of Communication; junior standing. Media planning theories, strategies, and practices. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
383 [M] Media Strategies and Techniques for Public Relations 3 Course Prerequisite: COM 210 with a C or better; COM 300 with a C or better; admitted to a major in the College of Communication. Development of creative content for persuasive public relations campaigns through different media. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
395 Introduction to Integrated Strategic Communication and Management 3 Course Prerequisite: COMSTRAT 312 or 380; sophomore standing. Analysis and application of strategic communication theory and concepts to influence attitudes and purchasing behavior. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
405 Crimson Creative: The Student Firm 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 9 credits. Course Prerequisite: Application required; COM 300 with a C or better; COMSTRAT 310; COMSTRAT 312 or 380; admitted to a major in the College of Communication; junior standing. Experience working with clients as a member of an account team; development of leadership skills and a professional portfolio. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
475 Strategic Communication Seminar in Public Relations 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 9 credits. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to any major; junior standing. Theory, methods, and applications of communication and campaign management; political communication, health communication, freedom of expression, special audiences. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
476 Consumer Insights and Branding 3 Course Prerequisite: COM 309; admitted to a major in the College of Communication. Advertising account planning based on a thorough understanding of target audiences and consumer research; linking client objectives, account management, creative and media planning. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
477 Message Design for Communication Campaigns 3 Course Prerequisite: COMSTRAT 310; admitted to a major in the College of Communication; junior standing. Theory-based design, market testing, and evaluation of messages for positive social outcomes. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
478 Health Communication 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Mediated communication in disease prevention and health intervention. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
480 [M] Advertising Agency Operation and Campaigns 3 Course Prerequisite: COMSTRAT 380; COMSTRAT 381; COMSTRAT 382; admitted to a major in the College of Communication; senior standing. Principles and functions of advertising management: campaign planning, execution, presentation and evaluation. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
482 Strategic Communication and Applied NIL Branding Strategies for Athletes, Creators, and Entertainers 3 Course Prerequisite: COMSTRAT 312 or COMSTRAT 380; admitted to a major or minor in the College of Communication; junior standing. Knowledge and skills for understanding the emerging dynamics of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and creating a personal brand through strategic communication. Typically offered Fall.
483 Risk Communication 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Research on perceptions of risk among stakeholders about complex environmental and natural resource issues. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
485 [M] Public Relations Management and Campaigns 3 Course Prerequisite: COM 309; COMSTRAT 312; COMSTRAT 383; admitted to a major in the College of Communication; senior standing. Application of public relations principles, management, persuasion theory and research methods to public relations issues. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
495 Strategic Communication Professional Internship V 2-12 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Course Prerequisite: By permission only; COM 101; COM 102; COM 105; COM 138; COM 210 and 300, both with a C or better; admitted to a major in the College of Communication. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to a major in the College of Communication; by interview only. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
561 Persuasion for Professional Communicators 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to an online degree program or graduate certificate in communication. Introduction to theories, concepts, strategies, and processes of persuasion and social influence.
562 Creative Media Strategies and Techniques 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to an online degree program or graduate certificate in communication. The strategies, processes, procedures and steps involved in creating marketing communications materials for a variety of different media.
563 Professional Digital Content Promotion 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to an online degree program or graduate certificate in communication. The application of writing, critical thinking, and persuasion skills to the practice and promotion of PR and advertising in both digital and social media outlets.
564 Consumer Behavior and Brand Development 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to an online degree program or graduate certificate in communication. Tactics and strategies for consumer analysis and brand development; skills necessary for uncovering consumer insights to link client objectives, account management, creative development, and media planning.
565 Professional Marketing Communication Management and Campaigns 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to an online degree program or graduate certificate in communication. An overview of behavior change theories with a focus on strategic marketing campaign design and evaluation; learning to use theory and research to more effectively plan, design, execute and evaluate strategic communication campaigns.
701 Master's Independent Capstone Project and /or Examination V 1-6 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to an online degree program or graduate certificate in communication. Capstone project or final examination for professional master's degree under the Graduate School. The credits will include a balloted evaluation of the student's completion of the program's capstone/examination requirements by the program's graduate faculty. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and obtain approval from their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 701 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the online master's program in strategic communication. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. S, U grading.