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Students presenting social media campaign

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations

Learn how to use communication purposefully. The strategic communication degree program at the University of St. Thomas focuses on developing key skills demanded in public relations, advertising, social media, and digital communication, an increasingly integrated industry.

Why Study Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations at St. Thomas?

Our program teaches you how to purposefully use communication to advocate for your organization. You will develop skills in strategic thinking, problem solving, professional writing and research as you progress in your college career. You will graduate prepared to work in a variety of career paths. Our recent graduates have gone on to work for companies like the Minnesota United FC, Weber Shandwick, the Minnesota Twins, Padilla, ICF Next, Colle McVoy, Carmichael Lynch, General Mills, Cargill, Target and more.

Become an advocate for your organization

  • Course Requirements
  • Four-Year Plan
  • Degrees Awarded
  • Internship Opportunities
  • Course Requirements

    Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations majors must complete 44 credits throughout their time at St. Thomas. Twenty-eight of these credits will come from the core of the major, which focus on developing your knowledge of the field, as well as topics such as ethics in strategic communication, research and writing. You will also complete 16 credits of electives that you choose based on your interests and goals.

    View Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations Major and Minor Requirements

    Four-Year Plan

    First Year

    • STCM 111 – Introduction to Journalism and Mass Media
    • STCM 234 – Principles of Strategic Communication

    Second Year

    • STCM 244 – Research, Evaluation, and Measurement
    • STCM 344 – Writing for Strategic Communication
    • Electives (4-8 credits)

    Third Year

    • STCM 346 – Digital Content and Strategy in Strategic Communication
    • STCM 380 – Ethics in Strategic Communication
    • Electives (4-8 credits)

    Fourth Year

    • STCM 480 – Ethics in Strategic Communication
    • STCM 470 – Capstone: Strategic Communication Campaigns
    • Electives (4-8 credits)

    Degrees Awarded

    Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations

    Internship Opportunities

    Our program stresses practical experience as the way to hone your professional skills. Majority of our students had at least one internship before graduation. You can work for TommieMedia, the student-operated online news organization, attend meetings with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and seek out listings through Career Development Center's Handshake.

    Course Requirements

    Course Requirements

    Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations majors must complete 44 credits throughout their time at St. Thomas. Twenty-eight of these credits will come from the core of the major, which focus on developing your knowledge of the field, as well as topics such as ethics in strategic communication, research and writing. You will also complete 16 credits of electives that you choose based on your interests and goals.

    View Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations Major and Minor Requirements

    Four-Year Plan

    Four-Year Plan

    First Year

    • STCM 111 – Introduction to Journalism and Mass Media
    • STCM 234 – Principles of Strategic Communication

    Second Year

    • STCM 244 – Research, Evaluation, and Measurement
    • STCM 344 – Writing for Strategic Communication
    • Electives (4-8 credits)

    Third Year

    • STCM 346 – Digital Content and Strategy in Strategic Communication
    • STCM 380 – Ethics in Strategic Communication
    • Electives (4-8 credits)

    Fourth Year

    • STCM 480 – Ethics in Strategic Communication
    • STCM 470 – Capstone: Strategic Communication Campaigns
    • Electives (4-8 credits)

    Degrees Awarded

    Degrees Awarded

    Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations

    Internship Opportunities

    Internship Opportunities

    Our program stresses practical experience as the way to hone your professional skills. Majority of our students had at least one internship before graduation. You can work for TommieMedia, the student-operated online news organization, attend meetings with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and seek out listings through Career Development Center's Handshake.

    Students presenting their social media campaign

    Career Paths

    We give you the tools and knowledge you need to work in Advertising (Ad) and Public Relations (PR) agencies or in-house Ad and PR units in a variety of different industries after graduation.

    • Advertising Account Planner
    • Advertising Copywriter
    • Brand Manager
    • Corporate Relations Specialist
    • Digital Content Strategist
    • Digital Marketing Specialist
    • Events Coordinator or Planner
    • Media Buyer
    • Public Relations Account Manager
    • Public Relations Specialist
    • Public Affairs Specialist
    • Social Media Content Editor

    Scholarships

    The Department of Emerging Media offers scholarship opportunities to incoming first-year students and current students with a declared major in strategic communication, digital media arts or journalism.

    Father James Whalen Endowed Scholarship

    This $2,000 scholarship is for incoming first-year students at St. Thomas. We award this based on their commitment to community service and career-related activities, academic merit and the promise of success in their career.

    Application Deadline: March 6, 2025

    Whalen, Leyden, Vachon and Minnesota Journalist Abroad Scholarships

    These scholarships are for current digital media arts, journalism or strategic communication majors. The annual award typically ranges from $600 to $3,000.

    Just the facts

    First

    St. Thomas is the first university in Minnesota to offer a standalone strategic communication degree.

    1,000+

    Over 1,000 of our alumni work in leading advertising and PR firms, corporations and non-profit organizations.

    20%

    Jobs in the strategic communication field are projected to increase by 20% over the next 10 years.

    Blending academic knowledge with practical experience

    You have access to a wide variety of opportunities throughout your time at St. Thomas inside and outside of the classroom

    Students presenting work to Keystone Community Service students presenting work to InnerCity Tennis Students present on their advertising campaign for the Catholic Church.

    Keystone Community Services Campaign

    Location Campaign

    Students in April Eichmeier’s Writing for Strategic Communication course in Spring 2022 worked with Keystone Community Services for a campaign for their new location, #UnlockANewTomorrow.

    InnerCity Tennis and National Marrow Donor Program Campaign

    Member Engagement and Social Media Campaign

    Students in Paul Omodt’s Capstone course developed member engagement and social media campaigns for InnerCity Tennis and National Marrow Donor Program in Spring 2022.

    Catholic Church Campaign

    Advertising Campaign

    Students in Doug deGrood’s Writing for Strategic Communication class created an advertising campaign for the Catholic Church in Fall 2019.
    Screen capture of student talking about the digital media arts program and Tommie Media

    Skills for the Real World

    A strategic communication major gives students the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in our rapidly changing society. Whether they are learning media theory and practice in the classroom or getting practical experience in their internships, our students are ready for what’s next.

    Take the Next Step​

    Best Value Schools LogoThere is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.