Program Overview

Bachelor's Degree in Integrated Strategic Communication

The Bachelor's Degree in Integrated Strategic Communication is designed for students interested in advertising, public relations, social media, or brand strategy. This hands-on program prepares students for exciting jobs like brand manager, social media manager, marketing director, creative director, corporate communications manager, account manager, digital content creator, and more.

Program Overview

The Integrated Strategic Communication program provides a foundation in audience analysis, data analytics, visual communication, advertising and public relations ethics, and marketing research. Building on these core principles, students then explore coursework aligned with their personal interests and career goals, such as creative strategy, crisis communication, advertising & AI, digital media, event planning, sales promotion and sponsorship, sports branding and promotion, and more.

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), a mark of excellence in journalism and mass communication education. This accreditation assures students that our curriculum meets rigorous industry standards and prepares graduates for successful careers in media, communications, and related fields.

Related Careers

• Account Executive
  • Media Buyer & Planner
  • Advertising and Social Media Copywriter
  • Event Planner
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Direct Marketing Manager
  • Content Marketing Manager
  • Social Media Campaign Coordinator
  • Brand Manager
  • Creative Director
  • Digital Content Manager
  • Digital Advertising Specialist
  • Influencer Relations Manager
  • Sales Promotion Specialist
  • Sports Promotion Manager

Program Details

• Offered by: College of Communication and Information
• Credit Hours: 120
• Credential: BA, BS

Admission Requirements

• Official High School Transcript with Pre-College Curriculum
• Test Scores (optional): ACT or SAT scores can be submitted but are not required for university admission

Application Requirements

• Completed applications include an official high school transcript, application fee ($50 domestic/$60 international), and optional official ACT/SAT score
• The University of Kentucky is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the academic year

Program Specific Requirements

• Students apply and enter this program as "Pre-Integrated Strategic Communication" majors
• Students are fully admitted to the program when they complete the pre-major requirements

Application Deadlines

Freshman

• Early Action: 12/01/2025
• Regular Decision: 02/15/2026

Transfer

• Fall Scholarship: 06/15/2026
• Fall: 08/01/2026
• Spring: 11/15/2025
• Summer: 04/15/2026

Curriculum

The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, persuasive writing, and presentation skills to prepare students for a variety of roles in agencies, media, corporations, and nonprofits. Through hands-on experiences, internships, and student organizations, ISC majors gain real-world insights and build professional networks before graduation.

Sample Curriculum Plan

Integrated Strategic Comm (BA)

• 106-130 hours
• Freshman Year: 32-33 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 16-17 credit hours
    • UKCRCC1: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. I
    • UKCRQFO: UK Core - Quantitative Foundations
    • UKCRHUM: UK Core - Humanities
    • PSY 100: INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY
    • ISC 100: INTRO TO STRATEGIC VISUAL COMMUNICATION
  • Spring Semester: 16 credit hours
    • UKCRCC2: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. II
    • UKCRNPM: UK Core - Natural, Physical and Math
    • COMM-LANG2: COM Language II
    • STA 210: INTRO TO STATISTICAL REASONING
    • UKCRCCC: UK Core - Community, Culture and Citizen
• Sophomore Year: 24-33 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 11-17 credit hours
    • COMM-LANG3: COM Language III
    • ISC 161: INTR TO INTEGRATED STRATEGIC COMM
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
  • Spring Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • ISC-261JOU: ISC 261 or JOU 204
    • MKT 300: MARKETING MANAGEMENT
    • COMM-LANG4: COM Language IV
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
• Junior Year: 26-32 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • ISC 311: ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN ISC
    • ISC 321: RES METHODS THE ISC PROFESSIONAL
    • ISC 325: STRATEGIC AUDIENCE INSIGHTS
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
  • Spring Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • ISC 361: STRATEGIC DATA INSIGHTS FOR ISC
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
• Senior Year: 24-32 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 11-16 credit hours
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
    • ISC 399: INTERNSHIP: ISC
    • HHS-FREE: Free Electives (3 hours)
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
  • Spring Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • ISC-JOU-MAS3: ISC/JOU/MAS 300+
    • COMM-ISC-ICR: International Component Requirement
    • ISC 491: ISC CAMPAIGNS
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective

Integrated Strategic Comm (BS)

• 107-128 hours
• Freshman Year: 31-32 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 16-17 credit hours
    • UKCRCC1: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. I
    • UKCRQFO: UK Core - Quantitative Foundations
    • UKCRHUM: UK Core - Humanities
    • PSY 100: INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY
    • ISC 100: INTRO TO STRATEGIC VISUAL COMMUNICATION
  • Spring Semester: 15 credit hours
    • UKCRCC2: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. II
    • UKCRNPM: UK Core - Natural, Physical and Math
    • UKCRGDY: UK Core - Global Dynamics
    • UKCRCCC: UK Core - Community, Culture and Citizen
    • STA 210: INTRO TO STATISTICAL REASONING
• Sophomore Year: 26-32 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-SCI-ELEC: Elective in "Science"
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
    • CI-SCI-ELEC: Elective in "Science"
    • ISC 161: INTR TO INTEGRATED STRATEGIC COMM
  • Spring Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • CI-SCI-ELEC: Elective in "Science"
    • ISC-261JOU: ISC 261 or JOU 204
    • MKT 300: MARKETING MANAGEMENT
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
• Junior Year: 26-32 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • ISC 311: ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN ISC
    • ISC 321: RES METHODS THE ISC PROFESSIONAL
    • ISC 325: STRATEGIC AUDIENCE INSIGHTS
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
  • Spring Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
    • ISC 361: STRATEGIC DATA INSIGHTS FOR ISC
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
• Senior Year: 24-32 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 11-16 credit hours
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
    • ISC 399: INTERNSHIP: ISC
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
    • COMM-ISC-ELC: ISC Electives
  • Spring Semester: 13-16 credit hours
    • COM-MINOR: Course in Minor
    • CI-ELEC: Elective
    • ISC 491: ISC CAMPAIGNS
    • ISC-JOU-MAS3: ISC/JOU/MAS 300+
    • COMM-ISC-ICR: International Component Requirement

Financial Aid Options

Undergraduate degree-seeking students have access to a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans, designed to make education more affordable.

In-State Tuition Rate

For residents of certain states, this program qualifies you to receive the University of Kentucky's in-state tuition rate through the Academic Common Marketplace.

Student Involvement

Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!