The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies: Strategic Communications bridges the study of human communication with how to effectively develop and deliver content for individual brands and organizations. Course work provides a foundation in oral and speech communication, organizational culture, media relations and message design. Students learn concepts in communication while gaining essential practical skills for designing, implementing and managing business communications programs for a range of corporate, agency and nonprofit organizations.
This program prepares students for careers in government, business, and media organizations that need experts who understand communications strategies and who can translate business objectives into media messaging, manage in-house resources, and direct external teams of communications professionals.
This program can be completed entirely online.
All School of Continuing & Professional Studies undergraduate students must satisfy the same general-education requirements.
Students in BSIS programs must complete a certificate, tailoring their degree to their educational and professional goals. Students in BSIS programs must also complete a Community Engagement course. A designated course in the Strategic Communications program will fulfill this requirement.
Required courses: 18 units
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| Comm 203 | Writing for Business Communication | 3 |
| Comm 217 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Comm 234 | Foundations of Communications | 3 |
| Comm 262 | Integrated Strategic Communications | 3 |
| | 3 |
| ISLA 352 | Integrated Studies Capstone: Professional Track | 3 |
| | |
| Total Units | 18 |
Elective courses: 12 units
Examples include the following:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| Comm 305 | Market Research and Communications Strategies | 3 |
| Comm 350 | Public Relations Principles and Practices | 3 |
| Comm 372 | Crisis Communications | 3 |
| Comm 378 | Communications Technology and New Media | 3 |
| Comm 385 | Digital Communications Analytics | 3 |
| Comm 4160 | Communications Ethics and the Law | 3 |
| JRN 345 | Effective Editing | 3 |
| JRN 327 | Audio Storytelling: From Podcasts to Newscasts | 3 |
Note: At least 15 units in the field of study must be in upper-level (300-level and higher) courses.
This program is offered either mostly or fully online. Students entering the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must enroll in a program full time. F-1 students are only permitted to enroll in one online course per semester and J-1 students may only enroll in non-credit online courses that do not count toward their degree program. The School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) cannot guarantee face-to-face enrollment options each semester of full time enrollment, therefore cannot issue an I-20 or DS 2019 to F-1 and J-1 students for this program. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and wish to enroll in a CAPS program while here on a Visa, please contact our recruitment team to discuss your options for face-to-face program enrollment. F-1 and J-1 students should not enroll in online courses or programs without first consulting the university’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).