Strategic Communication
Major Requirements
Major: Strategic Communication
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
University Degree Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
- Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework. Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
- Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
- A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
- At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits. Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
- At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
- Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.
For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.
University General Education Requirements
A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Category C: Communication | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Category R: Quantitative Reasoning † | 3 | |
| Category S: Science and Technology † | 10 | |
| Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts † | 6 | |
| Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences † | 6 | |
| Category W: Wellness † | 2 | |
| Category D: Cultural Diversity *† | ||
| Category G: Global Perspectives *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- *
Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.
- †
General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Communication Requirements: | ||
Students must complete the following 18 credits of coursework to be admitted to the major. | ||
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 112 | Understanding Media and Social Change | 3 |
| COMM 114 | Human Communication | 3 |
| COMM 212 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 220 | Persuasion | 3 |
| Strategic Communication Major Requirements | ||
| COMM 101 | Majors and Careers in Communication | 1 |
| COMM 200 | Introduction to Media Writing | 3 |
| COMM 375 | Principles of Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COMM 377 | Media Planning | 3 |
| COMM 425 | Specialty Writing | 3 |
| COMM 431 | Communication Ethics and Law | 3 |
| COMM 470 | Research for Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COMM 472 | Public Relations Campaigns | 3 |
| or COMM 473 | Case Study in Public Relations | |
| or COMM 476 | Advertising Campaign Practicum | |
| COMM 496 | Field Experience | 3 |
| Select one from the following for upper division writing requirement: | 3 | |
| Business and Professional Writing | ||
| Writing in the Technical Professions | ||
| Writing and the Creative Process | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Writing in the Health Professions | ||
| Writing in the Design Professions | ||
| Visual Culture and Language | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| Electives | ||
| Six COMM courses selected in consultation with one's advisor. Students can specialize in Advertising or Public Relations. Up to 3 additional credits of COMM 496 can be counted toward this requirement. | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
Minor Requirements
Minor: Strategic Communication
Required Credits: 21
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 112 | Understanding Media and Social Change | 3 |
| COMM 200 | Introduction to Media Writing | 3 |
| COMM 375 | Principles of Strategic Communication | 3 |
| Professional Specialization Electives: | 12 | |
| Business and Professional Speaking | ||
| Photography for the Media | ||
| Principles of Design For Media | ||
| Advertising Creative Strategies | ||
| Media Planning | ||
| Specialty Writing | ||
| Critical Approaches to Popular Culture | ||
| Digital Media and Society | ||
| Convergence Media | ||
| Public Relations Campaigns | ||
| Advertising Campaign Practicum | ||
| Risk and Crisis Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Minor Requirements and Notes
- A minimum of 9 credits must be taken at NDSU.