Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Communication
- Online
- On Campus
Communication skills are essential in every career. Those who can express their ideas clearly and adapt their messaging to different situations will have an advantage in their professional lives. That’s why the Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication is such a valuable and versatile degree.
In this program, you’ll learn how to analyze and connect with diverse audiences, craft compelling cross-platform messaging and navigate the ethical dimensions of media content. Our curriculum is designed to create savvy professionals who can critically assess the influence of the media on stakeholders and society.
Program Overview
Courses offered online or on campus in Thousand Oaks
Evening classes once per week, Monday – Thursday
Flexible part-time and full-time options
Complete the degree in as little as one year
Graduates from the bachelor’s in strategic communication program are multi-talented professionals who are ready to apply their expertise in media messaging and critical thinking across a wide range of industries and jobs. See the strategic communication curriculum.
At Cal Lutheran, we pride ourselves on providing personal attention to each of our students. Our classes are intentionally kept small so that you can connect with your instructors and peers. You’ll also have access to a personal academic counselor who will guide and support you every step of the way.
This major is part of our Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals, a degree completion program designed specifically for working adults. Each student enters the program with a minimum of 24 transfer credits, with many bringing in even more credits, allowing them to finish their degree faster.
What You’ll Learn
This hands-on program guides students through the essentials of media theory, effective communication strategies and the creation of powerful communication campaigns. Graduates will be able to:
- Understand communication as a discipline, including its central questions and key theories, perspectives, principles and concepts
- Acquire practical experience in the field of communication, honing the ability to craft messages that are tailored to specific audiences, purposes and contexts
- Employ discipline-specific methods to critically analyze the impact of messages, while understanding the broader influence of the communication discipline on others
- Apply ethical principles in communication practices
- Recognize and incorporate individual and cultural differences
“My favorite thing about being in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program is that it gives me a chance to actively work on my career while I’m getting my bachelor’s degree. I’m making the most out of my time by gaining experience and working on my major.”
Strategic Communications Career Paths
A bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications develops expertise in messaging, media strategy, public relations, and audience engagement. These skills prepare graduates for impactful roles in communication-focused fields, such as:
Strategic Communication Degree Curriculum
Required courses
All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted
Foundation courses
Research Writing for Professionals
Advanced Research Writing for Professionals
Essentials of Statistics
Media Literacy in the 21st century
Persuasion and Influence
Principles of Strategic Communication
Principles of Professional Communication
Theories of Mass and Strategic Communication
Research Methods
Legal Perspectives and Strategic Communication
Pop Culture and the Public Sphere
Global Issues and Public Engagement
Strategic Communication Campaigns
Electives
Select at least two from the following:
Digital Content Creation (Creative Arts)
Organizational Communication
Ethical Perspectives and Strategic Communication
Interested in seeing a class in action?
Get a closer look at what it’s like to be a PROS student by sitting in on a live online or on-campus class.
For more information, contact an enrollment specialist.
Total Credits to Complete the Degree
To graduate, students must complete 124 credits minimum. This total includes:
- Major courses: At least 45 credits are completed through strategic communication major courses. Out of these, at least 36 credits must be upper-division courses (these courses are identified by course numbers in the 300 and 400 ranges).
- General education and other courses: The remaining credits can consist of general education courses, additional major courses if desired and any transferred credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
A degree completion program is a pathway to a bachelor’s degree that leverages a student’s previous education. These programs accept a significant amount of transfer credits, meaning that students can build upon the credits they’ve already earned.
For Cal Lutheran’s Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals, incoming students will need to have completed at least 25 credit hours from previous accredited associate or undergraduate programs.
A degree completion program is great for working adults who have some college experience but weren’t able to complete their studies. Cal Lutheran’s program includes support services that are dedicated to adult learners, like personalized academic advising, flexible coursework options and career counseling.
The application process for every major in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals series is the same. You are welcome to apply if you have:
- Graduated from high school or possess a GED certificate
- Completed 24 semester hours of transferable college credit
- Earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25
Visit our admissions page for more information, including an application checklist.
On average, Cal Lutheran students complete their bachelor’s degree in two years. However, the total time for each student depends on how many credits you transfer into the program, the applicability of the credits to your degree of choice and whether you take courses full time or part time.
Strategic communications is a broad area that emphasizes delivering clear, purposeful messaging to support organizational goals across various platforms. Public relations (PR) is a more specialized area within this field, centered on managing the public perception of an organization and its media relationships. A bachelor’s degree in strategic communication offers the flexibility to pursue careers in PR, marketing, corporate communications and other related fields, making it a great choice for individuals who want to make an impact through communications.
If you have questions about whether your previous education qualifies as transferable credit, please reach out to an enrollment specialist. We’re here to help.
Want to learn more about earning your strategic communication degree with California Lutheran University? Download our brochure and explore our FAQ page. Ready to apply? Start your application now.
Request Information
To learn more about the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals offered by the Cal Lutheran School for Professional and Continuing Studies and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 805-521-9856.
