Bachelor's Degree in Communication
Concentration: Strategic Communication (BA)
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Strategic Communication Concentration Overview
As a strategic communication, you will investigate communication as it occurs in your real life—from interpersonal and group communication to persuasion, culture, and media entertainment. Purdue University Northwest’s communication and media studies courses provide insights and practical guides for understanding and practicing communication across all areas of social life.
Department of Communication and Creative Arts
You’ll benefit from small classes led by faculty with strong academic and professional experience. Students engage in individual and group projects, opinion research and message development.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with business clients in the community, as well as an active and involved alumni base throughout the Chicagoland area.
Strategic Communication Concentration Curriculum
As a strategic communications student, you’ll take a balance of general education courses, College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences core courses and communication courses.
The strategic communication program includes introductory courses in crisis management, negotiation, event planning, and communicating with internal and external publics. Special topics will be offered regularly to address other interests, such as social media, television, film, and international communication.
Start with a foundation in communication essentials like speech, media and culture.
Sample Courses
- COM 11400 – Fundamentals of Speech Communication
- COM 20400 – Critical Perspectives on Communication
- COM 25000 – Mass Communication and Society
Develop your expertise with courses that explore theory, politics and globalization.
Sample Courses
- COM 21400 – Comparative Theories of Interpersonal Communication
- COM 30900 – Visual Communication
- COM 31800 – Principles of Persuasion
Dive deeper into this specialization with advanced studies in media and persuasion. You can also complete an internship in year three.
Sample Courses
- COM 32000 – Small Group Communication
- COM 34900 – Media and Culture
- COM 37000 – Writing for the Media
Complete your training with special topics in interpersonal communication, organizational communication or mass communication.
Sample Courses
- COM 32400 – Introduction to Organizational Communication
- COM 39000 – Special Topics in Communication
- COM 46300 – Mass Media Criticism
Strategic Communication Concentration Highlights
This program combines communication theory and research with practical projects that emphasize critical thinking and writing. You’ll gain versatile communication skills that can be applied to a variety of careers and settings.
Strategic Communication Concentration Outcomes
You’ll develop skills that set you apart in the fields of communication and media. You might become an influencer in media, politics, health or marketing. Regardless of your path, you will learn to create and share messages that traverse geographical and social divides.
Strategic Communication Concentration Career Paths
A strategic communication concentration from PNW prepares you for a number of careers in the field, including:
- Public and Civil Service
- Human Relations and Public Relations
- Social Media and Broadcasting
- Advertising and Corporate Communication
Strategic Communication Concentration Beyond the Classroom
You’ll have many opportunities to get involved in on- and off-campus activities, including:
Strategic Communication Concentration Employers
Graduates of this program are employed in organizations and companies like:
- ESPN.com
- Weather Channel
- Windy City Live
- Service Employees International Union
Strategic Communication Concentration Scholarships
In addition to the scholarships available to all PNW applicants, students seeking a strategic communication concentration may also apply for program-specific scholarship awards, such as:
- Edwin F. and Elsie L. Buck Scholarship
- John R. Troyer Communication Scholarship
Meet the Faculty
Professor, Media Studies | Director, Center for Global Studies
Lee Artz is a professor of media studies and the director of the Center for Global Studies at Purdue University Northwest.
Interim Chair, Curriculum & Student Success Communication & Creative Arts
Catherine Gillotti is a professor of Communication and the Communication & Creative Arts Interim Department Chair for Curriculum & Student Success for the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS).
Continuing Lecturer, Communication and Creative Arts
Erin Okamoto Protsman teaches a variety of classes in the communication field.
Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Social Media
Rhon Teruelle’s research and teaching focus on critical communication studies.
Associate Professor of Communication
Dr. Wilbur is an Associate Professor of Communication and of Health Studies, He also serves as a Faculty Fellow in Student Affairs.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Communication with a Concentration in Strategic Communication at PNW
Purdue University Northwest’s strategic communication prepares students for a variety of careers through a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and writing.
To see how a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in strategic communication from PNW opens doors, from corporate boardrooms to non-profit leadership, take the next step today!
