Integrated Strategic Communication
Influence. Relate. Captivate.
Ensure a brand’s message is clear and consistent everywhere. This involves combining advertising, social media, and public relations to tell a brand’s story in a way that connects with people. Think of it as making sure all the different ways a brand talks to its audience work together to create a robust and unified message.
Students in This Major Describe Themselves As
Creative
Collaborative
Innovative
Data-driven
Flexible
Future Paths
- Account Executive
Manage client accounts by developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies across various channels, ensuring a unified message and consistent brand image. - Media Buyer and Planner
Develop a comprehensive media strategy across various channels to effectively deliver a consistent brand message, taking into account the target audience and campaign goals, while also managing the process of purchasing advertising space on those chosen channels to execute the plan. - Event Planner
Design and execute events with a holistic approach to communication, ensuring all aspects of the event – from messaging to media relations to on-site logistics – align with a company’s overarching strategic communication goals. - Direct Marketing Manager
Develop and execute direct marketing campaigns that align with the company’s overall strategic communication goals, ensuring consistent messaging across all channels like email, mail, and SMS, while leveraging data analytics to optimize results and build strong customer relationships. - Creative Director
Execute creative campaigns across various communication channels, ensuring a unified and consistent brand message while strategically aligning creative with broader marketing and communication objectives. - Digital Content Manager
Develop and execute a cohesive digital content strategy across various platforms, ensuring all online communications align with an organization’s overall strategic message.
Major Requirements
120 Minimum Total Credits
Your program may include different courses. Consult with your academic advisor about the best combination of courses for you. Visit the WSU Catalog for a complete list of official Integrated Strategic Communication Requirements.
General Education Requirements
College Core Requirements (18 credits)
COM 101 – Media and Society
COM 102 – Public Speaking in the Digital Age
COM 105 – Communication in Global Contexts
COM 138 – Introduction to Communication
COM 210 – Multimedia Content Creation
COM 300 – Writing in Communication
Strategic Communication Degree Requirements (15 credits)
COM 309 – Quantitative Research Methods
COMSTRAT 310 – Digital Content Promotion
COMSTRAT 395 – Introduction to Integrated Strategic Communication and Management
COMSTRAT 301 – Foundations of Persuasion
One Advanced Media and Society course from approved list
Integrated Strategic Communication Major Requirements (18 credits)
COMJOUR 333 – Reporting Across Platforms
COMSTRAT 312 – Principles of Public Relations
COMSTRAT 380 – Advertising Principles and Practices
COMSTRAT 383 – Media Strategies and Techniques for Public Relations
COMSTRAT 476 – Consumer Insights and Branding
COMSTRAT 485 – Public Relations Management and Campaigns
Major Upper-Division Electives (9 credits)
WSU Catalog
Integrated Strategic Communication Requirements
Communication (COM) Course Descriptions
Journalism and Media Production (COMJOUR) Course Descriptions
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of communication concepts and issues
- Acquire and analyze information to address communication objectives
- Create effective communication products (writing, visual, and speaking) to address communication objectives via multiple media platforms.
Admit to Major
Admittance to The Edward R Edward R. Murrow College of Communication opens the door for upper-division courses in each of the two communication degrees: Strategic Communication and Journalism and Media Production.
Admittance
Students are admitted directly into their desired major in the College of Communication upon admission and enrollment at WSU.
To remain admitted to any major in the College of Communication, a student must complete all required courses and remain in good academic standing.
COM 300 must be completed with a “C” or better, and only two attempts are allowed and a “W” is counted as an attempt in this course. 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 to 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.
Transfer Students
After consulting a Murrow academic advisor, a student transferring with junior status (60 + credits), with a 3.0 + transfer GPA, and has completed COM 101 or COM 105, will be allowed to take COM 300 in their 1st semester at WSU with all remaining 100-level required courses.
Questions?
Contact the Murrow Center for Student Success about admission to the Murrow College.
Goertzen Hall 117
(509) 335-7333
comm.murrowcollege@wsu.edu