Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and Media with a Concentration in Advertising prepares students for a broad field that includes account management, brand strategy and management, copy writing and media planning. Students prepare for jobs in advertising with marketing communication agencies and in the growing field of online digital advertising, both areas are projected to see significant job growth over the next 10 years.

The Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication and Media Studies maintains the traditional study of communication as a liberal art. Students may take courses in rhetoric, interpersonal and intercultural communication, organizational communication, and more - as well as our journalism, public relations and emerging technology areas. 

The program offers greater flexibility than the Bachelor of Science degree programs. Students often choose this program if they are interested in pursuing graduate studies, if they would like to complete a second undergraduate major, or if they would like to pursue coursework in a variety of communication disciplines.

The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and Media with a Concentration in Multimedia Journalism allows students to choose from a print or broadcast journalism emphasis, with courses offered in new-media journalism, television production, publication production and international journalism, just to name a few.

The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and Media with a Concentration in Digital Media Production prepares students for careers in media including video, audio, interactive and print production. Students pursue areas of emphasis in television or multimedia with coursework prioritizing the development of skills and portfolio material in line with the professional field.

The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and Media with a Concentration in Health Communication prepares students to pursue a career in the growing field of health communication. As a top concern for local, national, and global populations, careers focus on the creation of digital and social media content, public relations and integrated marketing strategies, advertising, and more, in an effort to create a more informed and health-conscience public.

The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and Media with a Concentration in Integrated Marketing Communication is an interdisciplinary program housed in the department of Strategic Communication and Media, and designed to meet the growing demand for advertising, public relations and IMC among students in the workplace.

The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and Media with a Concentration in Public Relations prepares students for the diverse and growing field of public relations. The curriculum includes courses in the newest technologies as well as mainstays, such as writing and campaign development. Graduates are employed by marketing communications and PR firms, corporations and nonprofit groups from coast to coast.

The Minor in Strategic Communication and Media Studies is the perfect complement to other SRU programs of study. Students majoring in sports management, park and resource management, and business are some of those who find a second home in the Strategic Communication and Media Department.

The Minor in Environmental Communication and Heritage Interpretation teaches students how to effectively use speech, images and technology to communicate about natural resources and environmental issues. This minor draws from multiple perspectives including communication, interpretation, public relations, environmental education, environmental science and history. This wide perspective, along with ample hands-on and applied experience, allows students to not only learn but also use these communication skills.

The Minor in Graphic Design is specifically designed for Art majors who would like additional experience in digital design and production to complement their major coursework. This program provides students with the commercial and technical aspects of graphic communication and production.

The Political Communication minor prepares students to understand the relationship between politics, media and public discourse. Drawing on coursework in communication and political science, the minor examines how political messages are developed and shared, how media influence public understanding, and how communication can shape public opinion, policy and civic engagement.

Why Add This Minor?

Political communication has become increasingly important as the ways people receive and respond to information continue to change. Today's students must navigate an environment shaped by evolving media platforms, mis- and disinformation and highly politicized public discourse. This minor helps students critically evaluate that environment while learning how to communicate both strategically and ethically within it.

The interdisciplinary curriculum combines the strengths of communication and political science. Required courses provide a foundation in communication, American government, public policy, media relations and crisis communication. Electives allow students to pursue areas of interest such as social media, communication ethics, argumentation, persuasion, propaganda, campaigns and elections, public opinion and political action.

Through this combination, students develop a stronger understanding of the U.S. political landscape and the role communication plays within it. They also gain knowledge they can apply in campaigns, government, public affairs, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, media and other settings where politics, policy and public opinion intersect.

Who Should Consider This Minor & Career Connections

The political communication minor is a strong complement for students studying communication, public relations, journalism, political science, history or interdisciplinary studies. The minor may also appeal to students interested in military or public service careers, including positions involving public information.

Students who follow politics and current events or who are interested in campaigns, media, advocacy and public policy may find the minor particularly relevant. The coursework provides opportunities to examine how audiences form opinions, how political and media systems operate, and how organizations communicate about public issues.

Students who complete this minor may pursue careers and professional opportunities in areas such as:

• Public affairs
• Government communication
• Political and campaign communication
• Political consulting
• Advocacy communication
• Public relations
• Media relations
• Crisis communication
• Public information
• Legislative communication
• Community and constituent relations
• Nonprofit communication and advocacy
• Policy communication
• Political and public opinion research
• Journalism and political media

Political communication also extends well beyond elections and campaigns. Businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and educational institutions all operate in environments influenced by politics and public policy. Understanding how political institutions work and how people receive and respond to information can therefore benefit students pursuing careers across a range of sectors.

The political communication minor can also provide a useful foundation for graduate or professional study in communication, political science, public administration, public policy, public affairs, law, strategic communication, media studies and related fields. The curriculum gives students experience examining arguments, public opinion, policy, media and evidence while strengthening their research and communication abilities.

For students who pair the minor with a major in communication, political science or a related discipline, the interdisciplinary focus provides an opportunity to approach public issues from more than one perspective. Students learn not only how political and policy systems operate but also how communication affects the ways people understand and participate in those systems.

The Social Media Analytics & Design minor equips students with a unique combination of creative, analytical, and strategic skills that are increasingly valued across industries. Through coursework in social media, digital design, advertising management, business analytics, and social media network analytics, students learn how to create engaging content, interpret data, measure campaign performance, and make evidence-based communication decisions.

Why Add This Minor?

In today's digital-first environment, organizations rely on social media not only to communicate with audiences but also to gather insights, shape brand strategy, and evaluate outcomes. This minor helps students develop competencies in content creation, digital storytelling, data analysis, marketing strategy, and technological fluency while fostering critical thinking and ethical decision-making in the use of digital platforms.

The program also reflects SRU's commitment to applied, hands-on learning by connecting communication, marketing, design, and analytics. Students gain practical skills that complement a wide range of majors and prepare them to navigate the rapidly evolving digital communication landscape.

Who Should Consider This Minor & Career Connections

The Social Media Analytics & Design Minor is an excellent complement for students interested in communication, business, marketing, advertising, public relations, journalism, digital media, sports management, nonprofit organizations, health communication, entrepreneurship, and other fields that require audience engagement and digital communication expertise. The interdisciplinary nature of the minor allows students from diverse academic backgrounds to strengthen their professional skill set with highly marketable digital competencies.

Students who enjoy creating content, analyzing data, understanding consumer behavior, tracking online trends, designing digital experiences, or managing online communities will find this minor particularly valuable. The curriculum develops skills in strategic communication, digital content production, social media analytics, advertising management, and business intelligence that can be applied in virtually any industry.

Graduates who complete this minor will be better prepared for careers such as:

• Social Media Specialist or Manager
• Digital Marketing Coordinator
• Content Strategist
• Social Media Analyst
• Brand Communications Specialist
• Digital Advertising Associate
• Public Relations Coordinator
• Community Manager
• Marketing Analytics Assistant
• Audience Insights Analyst
• Corporate Communications Professional
• Nonprofit or Advocacy Campaign Coordinator

By combining creative design with data-driven decision making, the Social Media Analytics & Design Minor prepares students to help organizations build meaningful relationships with audiences, optimize digital campaigns, and leverage emerging technologies and analytics tools in the modern workplace.

This minor will further prepare students with the needed skills who aspire to enroll in graduate programs in communication, digital marketing, integrated marketing communication, public relations, media studies, business analytics, marketing, data science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related fields. By combining coursework in social media strategy, digital design, advertising, business analytics, and social media network analysis, students develop the research, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills that are highly valued in graduate-level programs.

Moreover, students who pair this minor with majors in business, communication, media, public relations, journalism, health communication, or related disciplines will be better positioned to pursue specialized graduate programs and emerging areas of study focused on digital media, social media analytics, consumer insights, audience research, and strategic communication. The combination of creative content development and quantitative analytical skills provides a strong academic foundation for success in both professional and graduate education settings.

The Minor in Sports Production and Entertainment is the perfect complement to many SRU programs of study. Students combine creative storytelling with hands-on multimedia production while exploring the exciting intersection of sports, media and entertainment. The minor prepares students to create engaging content across video, audio, social media and other digital platforms.

The User Experience and Interface Design minor is an interdisciplinary minor designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the rapidly evolving fields of user experience (UX) design, user interface (UI) design, and interaction design. This minor emphasizes the integration of aesthetic design principles with user-centered methodologies to create engaging, functional, inclusive, and accessible digital interfaces and interactive experiences. It will also explore how human behavior, social dynamics, and ethical considerations shape the creation of intuitive and meaningful digital experiences.

Why Add This Minor?

Every time you use an app, visit a website, or interact with a digital product, someone has made decisions about how that experience should look, feel, and work. With a minor in User Experience and Interface Design, you can learn how to make those experiences better.

The User Experience and Interface Design minor gives you the opportunity to combine creativity, communication, technology, and an understanding of people. You will learn to think from the user's perspective, identify problems, organize information, and design digital experiences that are intuitive, engaging, and accessible.

Adding this minor can help you:

• Turn creative ideas into user-friendly digital experiences
• Better understand what users want and need
• Build skills in design, research, communication, and problem-solving
• Explore how people interact with websites, apps, and digital products
• Develop a user-centered approach to creative and strategic work
• Add valuable digital skills to your primary major
• Prepare for careers where creativity and technology intersect

Whether you want to design digital experiences yourself or work alongside designers, developers, marketers, researchers, and content creators, this minor can help you better understand how great digital experiences are created.

Who Should Add This Minor & Career Connections

You do not have to be a designer or programmer to study UX/UI. If you are curious about how people use technology, why some digital experiences work better than others, or how design can solve problems, this minor may be a good fit for you.

Consider adding the UX/UI Design minor if you are interested in:

• Design and creativity
• Websites, apps, and digital media
• Technology and innovation
• Understanding audiences and user behavior
• Marketing, branding, and communication
• Research and problem-solving
• Making information easier to find and understand

Because UX/UI brings together multiple disciplines, the minor can complement majors in areas such as communication, marketing, computing, information systems, professional writing, art, psychology, business, and other fields involving people and digital experiences.

Your UX/UI knowledge can support career paths such as UX Designer, UI Designer, UX Researcher, Interaction Designer, Digital Product Designer, Web Designer, Content Strategist, Information Architect, Usability Specialist, Digital Strategist, and UX/UI Project Manager. The skills you develop can also be valuable in careers in marketing, advertising, communication, e-commerce, product development, digital media, and technology.

The Certificate in Global and Intercultural Communication is designed to give students a solid and contextualized knowledge of global and intercultural communication theories and practices. As issues of diversity and cross-cultural exchanges are becoming a larger part of our daily interactions, there is an increasing need to expand one's knowledge and understanding of global communication practices so that one becomes an ethical and inclusive communicator in the workplace and beyond.