Program Overview

Integrated Strategic Communication Program

The Integrated Strategic Communication program at Washington State University (WSU) is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become versatile communication experts. This program is offered entirely online and focuses on both digital and traditional media.

Program Overview

The program provides a broad-based curriculum that emphasizes theoretically grounded, data-based decision-making to solve problems and innovate. Students will acquire skills in creative multimedia content creation, social media and digital content management, market research, branding strategy, and persuasive communication techniques.

Degree Awarded

• Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication

WSU College

• Murrow College of Communication

Application Deadline

• Spring: December 5
• Summer: April 20
• Fall: July 24

Class Begins

• Spring: January 12, 2026
• Summer: May 11, 2026
• Fall: August 24, 2026

Program Strengths

• The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication is highly regarded nationwide by professionals and wins awards for student’s work.
• Students will learn applied principles of advertising and public relations and participate in an internship to solve real-world communication problems.
• Learn from professors who win awards for their teaching and professional work, are nationally ranked for their research, and emphasize high standards in the tradition of Edward R. Murrow.

Program of Study

University Requirements

All WSU undergraduates must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits, of which 40 credits must be at the 300-400 level to earn a BA in Strategic Communication. At least 30 credits must be from WSU.

Lower Division Core Requirements

12 semester credits

• Lower Division Core Requirements provide a basic foundation of communication knowledge to prepare students for upper division courses in communication.
• A Global Campus integrated strategic communication academic advisor can provide additional information about these courses.

Core Communication Courses

6 semester credits

• COM 210 – Multimedia Content Creation (requires C or better)
• COM 300 – Writing in Communication (requires C or better)

Upper Division Communication Courses

33 semester credits

• COM 309 – Quantitative Research Methods
• COMJOUR 333 – Reporting Across Platforms
• COMSTRAT 301 – Foundations of Persuasion
• COMSTRAT 310 – Digital Content Promotion
• COMSTRAT 312 – Principles of Public Relations
• COMSTRAT 380 – Advertising Principles and Practices
• COMSTRAT 383 – Media Strategies and Techniques for Public Relations
• COMSTRAT 476 – Consumer Insights and Branding
• COMSTRAT 485 – Public Relations Management and Campaigns
• COMSTRAT 495 – Strategic Communication Professional Internship
• COMSTRAT 395 – Introduction to Integrated Strategic Communication

Major-Specific Electives

6 semester credits

• Any 6 semester credits of 300-400 level COM, COMSTRAT, COMJOUR Electives

Direct to Degree Transfer Students

Transfer students bringing in 30 or more semester credits from an outside institution, and a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA will be directly admitted into the Murrow College. After consulting with a Murrow Professional Academic Advisor, a student transferring with junior status (60 or more semester credits), with a 3.0 or higher transfer GPA, and who has completed COM 101 or COM 105 from another institution, will be allowed to take COM 300 in their first semester at WSU with all remaining 100 level required communication courses.

Related Certificates

Global Campus offers these related undergraduate certificate programs that can be considered pairing with the integrated strategic communications major.

• Editing and Publishing
• Professional Science and Technology Writing
• Professional Writing

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Washington State University is committed to providing equal opportunities in education and employment. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, or disability.