Risk and Crisis Communication
Respond. Empathize. Protect.
The art of managing information and messaging during high-pressure situations to protect reputation and ensure safety. It involves delivering clear, accurate, and timely updates to stakeholders to help them make informed decisions and minimize harm.
Department of Strategic Communication
Students in This Major Describe Themselves As
Analytical
Calm & composed
Proactive
Strategic
Detail oriented
Future Paths
- Crisis Communicator
Manage an organization’s communications during a crisis. - Health Communication Specialist
Use communication strategies to inform the public about potential health risks during an emergency or crisis situation, aiming to mitigate panic, promote informed decision-making, and encourage appropriate actions to protect health and safety. - Public Information Officer
Deliver clear, consistent and timely information to the public during potential or actual crisis situations, aiming to manage public perception, mitigate anxieties, and maintain trust by providing accurate updates and guidance regarding risks and necessary actions to take. - Emergency Management Coordinator
Proactively inform the public about potential hazards, providing clear and timely information during a crisis, and managing public perception by effectively communicating response actions to mitigate the impact of an emergency, all while building trust and ensuring community safety.
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 Risk and Crisis 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 (18 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
One Specialization elective course
Risk and Crisis Communication Major Requirements (15 credits)
COMSTRAT 324 – Reasoning and Writing
COMSTRAT 326 – Organizing for Social Change
COMSTRAT 483 – Risk Communication or COMSTRAT 478 – Health Communication
COMSTRAT 477 – Message Design for Communication Campaigns or COM 490 – Web Design and Usability
COM 486 – Crisis Communication
Major Upper-Division Electives (9 credits)
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