Strategic Communication and Media, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Health Communication
Health is a top concern for local, national, and global populations and the healthcare industry is growing. Slippery Rock University’s Health Communication degree gives students the opportunity to place themselves at the forefront of health communication. Earning a Bachelor’s in Health Communication demonstrates not only that graduates understand the nature and complexity of the healthcare industry, but also that they possess the hands-on skills necessary to communicate effectively within this industry.
WHY CHOOSE HEALTH COMMUNICATION?
One of the few Health Communication programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Region, students graduate not only with a firm understanding of the ever-growing healthcare industry, but also the skills and training necessary to prepare, craft, and deliver effective messages within the healthcare context. Career options include digital and social media content generation, public relations and integrated marketing, advertising, and more.
While majoring in Health Communication, you will have the opportunity to participate in a host of relevant student organizations and complete internships. Upon graduation, students have a portfolio of work that demonstrates a wide range of skills that are relevant to the healthcare industry, including but not limited to: social and digital media content creation, publication production, and research and analytics.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Working with professors with experience in their fields, the Health Communication Degree provides you with coursework centered on the health industry, as well as applied coursework in public relations, marketing, and advertising. When you choose to major in Health Communication, you benefit from a cutting-edge and modern interdisciplinary program with provides you with the skills and abilities necessary for a fruitful career as a communication professional in the healthcare industry.
CAREERS IN HEALTH COMMUNICATION
It is expected that the healthcare industry will continue to grow. As such, a major benefit of majoring in Health Communication is the plethora of opportunities available to you after graduating. The program’s internship opportunities, in combination with the Department of Strategic Communication and Media’s vast alumni network make the Health Communication program at SRU a great choice for students as they consider their future careers.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
Rock PRSSA
Lambda Pi Eta
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA - HEALTH COMMUNICATION, BS
- Writing: Produce written health communication tactics to communicate with various publics.
- Tailored Strategy: Employ social media, multimedia, and graphic design technologies to communicate health-focused content to designated audiences.
- Campaign Development: Demonstrate the ability to develop a data-driven strategic health communication plan tailored to a specific target public.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT, OVERALL
- Writing competency: Students will demonstrate the ability to write and present messages clearly and effectively.
- Ethics and legal issues: Students will understand ethical and legal issues facing communicators in the 21st century.
- Research and analysis: Students will demonstrate the ability to design and implement research studies and critically analyze research data.
RELATED LINKS
Strategic Communication and Media: Health Communication, BS Program Page
CURRICULUM GUIDE
GPA REQUIREMENT
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
SUMMARY*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Computer Competency | 0-3 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 51 | |
| Electives | 27 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
Computer Competency
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR | ||
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution: | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts | ||
| Computer Concepts | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Programming | ||
| Technology for Wellness | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
MAJOR/CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- 26 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 26 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| COMM 110 | Communication Concepts 1,2 | 3 |
| COMM 263 | Mass Media and Society 1 | 3 |
| COMM 310 | Communication Research Methods 1,2 | 3 |
| COMM 410 | Communication Law 1,2 | 3 |
| COMM 497 | Senior Capstone Seminar 1,2 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Health Communication Requirements | ||
| COMM 231 | Principles of Integrated Marketing Communication & Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM 242 | Media Writing | 3 |
| or COMM 256 | Message Preparation | |
| COMM 270 | Strategic Health Communication | 3 |
| HCAM 230 | US Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| HCAM 300 | Healthcare Systems: Global Perspectives and Analysis | 3 |
| COMM 303 | Communication and Media Ethics | 3 |
| or HCAM 375 | Ethics & Legal Fundamentals for the Health Professions | |
| or PHIL 325 | Medical/Health Care Ethics | |
| COMM 333 | Writing for Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
| COMM 370 | Health Communication Cases and Strategies | 3 |
| COMM 431 | PR and IMC Campaigns Capstone | 3 |
| COMM 450 | Internship | 3 |
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following (at lease one upper-division course is required): | 6 | |
| Principles of Creative Advertising | ||
| Introduction to Digital Design | ||
| Interactive Multimedia 1 | ||
| Social Media | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Media Relations and Crisis Communication | ||
| Strategic Brand Communication | ||
| Social Media Network Analytics | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Healthcare Writing | ||
| Current Topics in Health Care | ||
| International Health | ||
| Principles of Marketing | ||
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA
- 2
A grade of 'C' or higher must be earned in these courses
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION & MEDIA- BS (2119)
Concentration in Health Communication (HECO)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 10.10.2023
UCC 3.1.22
RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| COMM 110 | Communication Concepts | 3 |
| COMM 263 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ESAP 101 | FYRST Seminar * | 1 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 200 | Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| COMM 231 | Principles of Integrated Marketing Communication & Public Relations | 3 |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 242 or COMM 256 |
Media Writing or Message Preparation |
3 |
| HCAM 230 | US Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Declare a Thematic Thread 2 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 270 | Strategic Health Communication | 3 |
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Health Communication Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 310 | Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| HCAM 300 | Healthcare Systems: Global Perspectives and Analysis | 3 |
| Health Communication Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 333 | Writing for Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
| COMM 303 or HCAM 375 |
Communication and Media Ethics or
Ethics & Legal Fundamentals for the Health Professions |
3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 370 | Health Communication Cases and Strategies | 3 |
| COMM 410 | Communication Law | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 431 | PR and IMC Campaigns Capstone | 3 |
| COMM 450 | Internship | 3 |
| COMM 497 | Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours** | 121 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.
- *
Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.
** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses. However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 2119
Concentration Code: HECO
Revised: 05.10.2023