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Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (BA)

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication program thoroughly examines the communicative practices within and among organizations and their constituencies. Students undergo a rigorous program of scholarly training that prepares them to carry out requisite levels of research and proceed into more advanced studies. Students learn how to apply theoretical knowledge in written and oral demonstrations and build a professional toolkit preparing them to understand the nuances of digital media literacies, both as a producer and as a consumer of media texts.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to:

• Apply the acquired knowledge, skills and research methods to the completion of an original thesis in strategic communication.
• Gain exposure to global connectivity and interactivity through the exploration of corporate, social and political environments across borders.
• Apply current communication and media technologies to address clients’ problems related to advocacy and/or reputation management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental theories and ethical best practices of strategic communication.

Curriculum Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication curriculum is organized into five modules and a thesis. The five modules include the Common Core Module (72 ECTS), two discipline specific Core Modules (108 ECTS), a Practical Training Module (16 ECTS), and a Discipline Enrichment/Electives Module (36 ECTS). The program concludes with the successful completion of a thesis (8 ECTS).

Required Courses

Discipline Core Module 1: Foundation

• MDST 1010 Media Foundations (6 ECTS)
• MDST 1050 Media Writing (6 ECTS)
• PBRL 1010 Fundamentals of Strategic Communications and Public Relations (6 ECTS)
• PBRL 2400 New Media Messaging (6 ECTS)
• MDST 2200 Ethics in the Media (6 ECTS)
• ADVT 1940 Introduction to Marketing Communications (6 ECTS)
• SPCM 2400 Persuasion (6 ECTS)
• PBRL 2920 Writing for Public Relations (6 ECTS)
• PBRL 3600 Public Relations Case Studies (6 ECTS)
• MDST 3300 Media Law, Ethics & Policy (6 ECTS)
• MDST 4110 Digital Culture and Media (6 ECTS)
• PBRL 4250 Media Relations (6 ECTS)
• MDST 4500 Political Communications (6 ECTS)
• PBRL 4960 Global Strategic Communication Campaigns (6 ECTS)
• SPCM 4500 Conflict Resolution (6 ECTS)
• SPCM 4600 Communications Theory (6 ECTS)

Discipline Core Module 2: Methods

• ANSO 2720 Introduction to Measurement and Statistics (6 ECTS)
• MDST 4200 Media Research (6 ECTS)

Practical Training Module

• MDST 3599 Independent Study (4 ECTS)
• PBRL 4300 Crisis Communications and Issues Management (6 ECTS)
• MDST 3260 Global Media Practice (6 ECTS)

Discipline Enrichment/Electives Module

Students may choose up to 36 ECTS from any of WVPU’s course offerings. However, students are recommended to select up to 36 ECTS from the following pre-approved list of discipline specific courses:

• ADVT 2350 Introduction to Visual Communications for Advertising and Public Relations (6 ECTS)
• ANSO 2060 Culture and Communication (6 ECTS)
• MDST 2800 Media, Diversity and Society (6 ECTS)
• MNGT 3540 Digital Marketing (6 ECTS)
• MNGT 3510 Management of Integrated Marketing Communications (6 ECTS)
• PBRL 2800 Organizational Internal Communication (6 ECTS)
• POLT 1070 Introduction to Political Theory (6 ECTS)
• SPCM 1280 Interpersonal Communication (6 ECTS)
• SPCM 3500 Presentations for Media Professionals (6 ECTS)
• SPCM 3600 Rhetoric (6 ECTS)

Thesis Module

• MDST 4620 Thesis (8 ECTS)

Austrian Diploma Study Plan and Regulations for Strategic Communication BA

Purpose and Scope

This Study Plan and Regulations delineates the specifications of the program Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (BA), including the profile and learning outcomes, the structure of the curricula, program development and the criteria for admission and conferment of a degree.

Overview Table

Degree program name | Strategic Communication (BA)
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Common form name | Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (BA)
Type of study program | Bachelor degree program
Academic degree | Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Cycle (Bologna) | 1
NQF-Level | VI
Organizational structure | Communications Department
Workload (ECTS) | 240
Regular study period | 4 years, 8 semesters
Course weeks per semester | 12
Language of study | English
Maximum intake per year | 25
Study format | Full time
Entry points/dates | 2/begin winter/summer semesters
Beginning of the winter semester | September
Beginning of the summer semester | February
Internships | Encouraged, but not required
Study Abroad | Encouraged, but not required

Profile and Learning Outcomes

WVPU’s Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication program thoroughly examines the communicative practices within and among organizations and their constituencies. Students undergo a rigorous program of scholarly training that prepares them to carry out requisite levels of research and proceed into more advanced studies. Students learn how to apply theoretical knowledge in written and oral demonstrations and build a professional toolkit preparing them to understand the nuances of digital media literacies, both as a producer and as a consumer of media texts.

Curriculum Overview and Workload

The Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication curriculum is organized into five modules and a thesis. The five modules include the Common Core Module (72 ECTS), two discipline specific Core Modules (108 ECTS), a Practical Training Module (16 ECTS), and a Discipline Enrichment/Electives Module (36 ECTS). The program concludes with the successful completion of a thesis (8 ECTS).

Roadmaps and Course Sequencing

Students working toward the Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication can complete the program in a minimum of eight semesters. Graphical roadmaps for the program illustrate a typical student’s progression through the degree, with special attention given to course sequencing within the major.

Admission

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication program follows the general admission requirements for undergraduate programs.

Requirements for Conferment of the Degree

WVPU confers the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication following the successful completion of all modules as stated in the Curriculum Overview and Workload and in accordance with the following rules:

1. Candidates must complete all modules (240 ECTS) as stated in section 3.1 Curriculum Overview.
2. Students must successfully earn 170 ECTS in residence at WVPU, including:
   1. all courses in the Common Core (72 ECTS)
   2. all courses in the Discipline Core Modules (108 ECTS)
   3. all courses in the Practical Training Module (16 ECTS)
   4. all courses in the Discipline Enrichment / Electives Module (36 ECTS)
   5. a bachelor thesis (8 ECTS)
   6. all required courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better

Minor in Media Studies

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

• Develop media content for different fields, platforms and audiences.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to think ethically when creating messages.
• Evaluate media in historical and global context.
• Conceive and implement effective communication strategies.
• Analyze media content and effects.

Required Courses (18 credit hours)

• EPMD 1000 Introduction to Media Production (3 hours)
• MDST 1050 Media Writing (3 hours)
• MDST 2100 Media Literacy (3 hours)
• MDST 3300 Media Law, Ethics & Policy (3 hours)
• MDST 2800 Media, Diversity and Society (3 hours) or MDST 3260 Global Media Practice (3 hours)
• MDST 3100 Social Media Strategies & Tactics (3 hours) or MDST 4200 Media Research (3 hours)