The role of a company’s marketing department is essential to meeting customer service needs and building strong relationships.
Marketing communications and strategic communications are two approaches to that goal that differ in scope. While the former focuses on the marketing department and sending a unified company message, the latter integrates communications across departments and has a broader organizational strategy.
Both areas share common ground in focusing on customer-centered care, the two-way communication process and enhancing relationships.
- Marketing communications: By emphasizing the customers more strongly, marketing communications looks to fully understand their needs and gain customer loyalty by delivering a unified message within the organization, then delivering that message to the public.
- Strategic communications: This approach expands on customer needs by focusing on an organization’s stakeholders to unify all communication and build internal and external relationships to better understand both.
With a transformative curriculum, Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications gives you the opportunity to explore your career goals and develop the essential skills to achieve your aspirations.
By applying concepts and practice of marketing communications and strategic communications in the program, you will develop a robust portfolio in your area of interest to prepare to adapt to a rapidly growing field with knowledge and confidence.
What’s in it for you?
As a student in the online Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications program, you will prepare for a role as a public relations professional who plans, directs or coordinates company activities to foster or uphold a favorable public image and raise issue awareness for your organization and clientele.
Courses in the program provide you with substantial experiential learning and a professional portfolio upon completion of the program. You will gain relevant and practical skills that transfer to the real world, whether in marketing communications or strategic communications roles.
The degree program also offers a pair of optional certificates. Both certificates can benefit working professionals switching careers or looking to expand their skill set. Certificates may be completed independently or in conjunction with a degree program.
- Certificate in Media Content Management: Demonstrate to hiring managers that you are experienced and versed in managing various forms of digital media. Managing websites, social media or media production is a sought-after skill set for many roles.
- Certificate in Communication Management: Prepare to bring a valuable skill set that includes concisely and effectively communicating to inform the audience of issues, relay key information, note important changes or put forward the questions to be answered.
As a graduate, you can specialize in different types of strategic communications within specific industries, like promotional public relations, crisis management, community relations or public affairs.
You will also benefit from faculty members who have held leadership positions in public relations organizations and practiced in the communications field. The rigorous program meets Public Relations Society of America guidelines and ethical standards.
The online Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications is success-centered, preparing you to take on a public relations role in most any industry with the concepts and practices needed to thrive in your career.
Learn more about the strategic communications program
Earning an online Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way
Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.