Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Strategic Communication and Media, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Integrated Marketing Communication

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Strategic COMMUNICATION and Media - INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION, BS

  • Targeted Materials: Produce appropriately targeted media materials in a variety of formats. (SLO 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10)
  • Understand the Roles of Marketing Tools: Understand the role of public relations, advertising, and other promotional marketing tools in the integrated marketing communication mix. (SLO 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10)
  • Strategic Campaigns: Demonstrate the ability to develop a research-based strategic integrated marketing communication plan tailored to a designated consumer profile. (SLO 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10)

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT, OVERALL

  • Writing competency: Students will demonstrate the ability to write and present messages clearly and effectively. (SLO 1, 2, 5, 8)
  • Ethics and legal issues: Students will understand ethical and legal issues facing communicators in the 21st century. (SLO 1, 5, 8, 10)
  • Research and analysis: Students will demonstrate the ability to design and implement research studies and critically analyze research data. (SLO 1, 2, 4, 5)

RELATED LINKS

Strategic Communication and Media - Integrated Marketing Communication, BS Program Page

Strategic Communication and Media Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements57
Electives21

* 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

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
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.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

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 Hours0-3

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 

  • 29 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 29 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Core Requirements
COMM 110Communication Concepts 1,23
COMM 263Mass Media and Society 13
COMM 310Communication Research Methods 1,23
COMM 410Communication Law 1,23
COMM 497Senior Capstone Seminar 1,23
Subtotal15
IMC Requirements
COMM 231Principles of Integrated Marketing Communication & Public Relations 13
COMM 307Social Media3
COMM 242Media Writing3
COMM 332Case Studies in Public Relations and Integrated Communication 13
COMM 333Writing for Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication 1,23
MRKT 230Principles of Marketing3
MRKT 333Consumer Behavior 13
MRKT 334Advertising Management 13
COMM 364Strategic Brand Communication 13
COMM 407Social Media Network Analytics 13
COMM 431PR and IMC Campaigns Capstone 13
Subtotal33
Electives
Select six credits from the following:6
Principles of Creative Advertising 1
Introduction to Digital Design 1
Interactive Multimedia 1 1
Video Production 1
Message Preparation
Publication Production 1
Media Relations and Crisis Communication
E-Commerce 1
New-Media Journalism 1
Global Media 1
Advertising Production 1
Issues in Communication Technologies 1
Subtotal6
Internship
COMM 450Internship 13
or MRKT 450 Internship
Total Hours57
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 Integrated Marketing (IMRK)
This program is effective as of Fall 2022
Revised 04.15.2022.
UCC 3.1.22

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
COMM 110 Communication Concepts 3
COMM 263 Mass Media and Society 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
COMM 200 Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
COMM 231 Principles of Integrated Marketing Communication & Public Relations 3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
COMM 256 Message Preparation 3
SCI 101
Science of Life
or Understanding the Physical World
3
IMC Elective 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
Elective 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
MRKT 230 Principles of Marketing 3
SCI 101
Science of Life
or Understanding the Physical World
3
IMC Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
COMM 307 Social Media 3
COMM 310 Communication Research Methods 3
COMM 332 Case Studies in Public Relations and Integrated Communication 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 333 Writing for Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication 3
MRKT 333 Consumer Behavior 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
COMM 364 Strategic Brand Communication 3
COMM 410 Communication Law 3
MRKT 334 Advertising Management 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 407 Social Media Network Analytics 3
COMM 431 PR and IMC Campaigns Capstone 3
COMM 450 Internship 3
COMM 497 Senior Capstone Seminar 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
 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: IMRK
Revised: 08.01.2023