Strategic Communication Minor - Department of Communication

Amplify Your Message

In today’s fast-paced media landscape, knowing how to craft a message that connects others is a powerful advantage. The Strategic Communication minor is designed for students outside the Department of Communication who want to build skills in public relations, advertising, marketing, and event planning. Whether you're interested in branding, media buying, or campaign strategy, this program offers hands-on experience in writing press releases, designing media kits, and using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. With a blend of theory and applied practice, this minor is the perfect complement to those seeking a competitive edge in communication-driven industries.

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Program Description

This minor will serves students who are interested in pursuing knowledge of public relations, advertising, marketing, event planning, and campaign design/evaluation to compliment majors outside the Department of Communication. The minor will help students understand branding, media buying, copywriting, and other skills related to the professional practice of public relations, advertising, marketing, and event planning.

Courses examine strategic communication writing (e.g., press releases, media kits), graphic design (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), accounting planning, and both theoretical and applied strategy.

Program Admissions Requirements

Students outside of the Department of Communication may declare this minor once their major has been declared. Declaration can be done by submitting this form: https://communication.utah.edu/undergraduate/minor-declaration.php

Major Exploration Link

https://advising.utah.edu/majors/quick-look/strategic-communication.php

Requirements

The minor will consist of 6 courses (18 credits) divided into four categories. All courses must be passed with a 'C' grade or better.

Introductory Courses

Complete all of the following courses:

COMM 1130 – Media Writing
COMM 2580 – Introduction to Strategic Communication

Perspectives

Complete at least two of the following courses:

COMM 3580 – Special Topics: Strategic Communication
COMM 3585 – Public Relations Cases and Campaigns
COMM 3590 – Integrated Marketing Communication
COMM 4170 – Organizational and Professional Communication
COMM 5117 – Health Campaigns, and Media
COMM 5200 – Persuasion and Political Communication
COMM 5300 – Mass Communication Law
COMM 5920 – PR Agency: Department of Communication
COMM 5930 – PR Agency: Absolute Communication
COMM 5950 – Advanced Special Topics in Strategic Communication

Skills and Theory

Complete at least one of the following courses:

COMM 1020 – Principles of Public Speaking
COMM 1535 – Basic Digital Photography
COMM 3510 – Web Design & Content Strategy
COMM 3530 – Advanced Photography
COMM 3540 – Introduction to Podcasting
COMM 3550 – Principles of Visual Communication
COMM 3560 - Video Production I
COMM 3610 – Internship
COMM 3670 – Future of Advertising
COMM 3690 – Making Brands Stick
COMM 4560 – Documentary Production
COMM 4570 – Visual Design & Editing
COMM 4590 – Writing for Strategic Communication
COMM 5555 – Documentary Photography

Methods

Complete at least one of the following courses:

COMM 3460 – Rhetorical Criticism
COMM 3700 – Qualitative Communication Research
COMM 3710 – Introduction to Quantitative Communication Research
COMM 3720 – Applied Communication Research Methods

Learning Requirements

By completing the strategic communication minor, students will:

Help students understand branding, media buying, copywriting, and other skills related to the professional practice and production of public relations, advertising, marketing, and event planning.
Examine strategic communication writing (press releases, media kits), graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite), account planning, and theoretical and applied strategy
Through the study of persuasion, social influence, and behavior change, students learn the basic framework for Strategic Communication
Cultivate writing skills related to strategic communication practice and explicate key areas of strategic communication research
Develop pathways for Strategic Communication product and production including, but not limited to, social media branding channels, advertisement campaigns, analytics evaluations, graphic design campaigns and event schedules

How to Apply

Students interested in the media studies minor must fill out the major declaration form. Questions about the minor may be sent to comm-advisor@utah.edu.

minor DECLARATION FORM