BS Strategic Communication

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Colorado Boulder

Program Overview

The BS in Strategic Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder prepares students to develop strategic, creative and data-informed communication solutions for brands, organizations and social issues. Students can specialize in Advertising Strategy, Public Relations or Creative, while gaining experience with research, campaign development, digital communication, design and real-world client projects.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their foundation with APRD 1003 Principles of Strategic Communication, APRD 1004 Fundamentals of Grammar, and APRD 2001 Strategic Thinking in Advertising and Public Relations. They learn how strategic communication works across advertising and public relations while beginning to develop analytical and creative approaches to communication challenges.

Year 2:

Students strengthen their professional communication skills through APRD 2005 Strategic Communication Writing and APRD 2006 Creative Design Software, while also completing the program's computing and broader CMDI curriculum. This stage develops the ability to create persuasive messages across different platforms and use professional creative-design tools.

Year 3:

Students move deeper into their selected Advertising Strategy, Public Relations or Creative track while studying JRNL 3651 Media Law and Ethics. Depending on their specialization, they can explore areas such as visual design, copywriting, PR strategy, UX/UI design, content creation, strategic analytics and social media listening.

Year 4:

Students bring their skills together through APRD 4405 Strategic Communication Capstone, where they work collaboratively as an agency to plan and execute strategic communication campaigns. They develop campaign materials, plans books and presentations and pitch their proposed campaigns to clients, creating a strong bridge between university study and professional practice.

Focus Areas:

Advertising strategy, public relations, creative communication, brand building, audience engagement, campaign development, strategic research, data analysis, strategic writing, creative design, social media, media relations, content creation, UX/UI, visual communication, communication ethics, media law, digital communication, strategic analytics, global communication.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to conduct research and strategic analysis, solve real-world communication problems creatively, communicate effectively through written, verbal, digital and visual formats, collaborate across disciplines, understand the social and cultural impact of strategic communication, and use current and emerging communication technologies and platforms.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The BS in Strategic Communication is offered through CU Boulder's Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Design within the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information. The university's institutional accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC); no separate specialized professional accreditation is identified for this BS program.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

CU Boulder is ranked No. 46 among public universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. The university reports that 130+ renowned organizations employ CMDI graduates, including National Geographic, Condé Nast, Microsoft, NPR and NBC, while the Strategic Communication program lists employers across advertising agencies, PR firms, publishing and design firms, nonprofits, government agencies and startups.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program places a strong emphasis on learning by doing, with students working on real-world communication challenges and developing professional portfolios. Coursework can involve real clients, campaign development, research, creative production and industry-standard design and social-media tools, while the department also provides opportunities to compete nationally and gain professional experience through internships.

• Real-World Client Campaigns: Students work on communication projects for actual clients, allowing them to apply classroom concepts to advertising, public relations and strategic communication challenges.

• APRD 4405 Strategic Communication Capstone: Students operate as an agency, work collaboratively on strategic campaigns, create plans books and pitch their campaigns to the class and client.

• APRD 4406 Advanced PR Campaigns – Bateman Competition: Students develop and implement a PR campaign for a real-world client through PRSSA's national Bateman case-study competition.

• APRD 2006 Creative Design Software: Students gain practical experience with professional creative-design software and workflows used to transform communication concepts into visual work.

• APRD 4301 Social Media Listening: Students work with industry-leading tools including Brandwatch, Social Studio, Meltwater and Hootsuite to identify conversations, generate insights and understand social-media data.

• APRD 4931 Internship: Students can earn academic credit through supervised internships, gaining professional experience while employers evaluate their progress and skills.

• Young Ones Student Awards: Creative-track students can apply their concepts in an international student competition, with CU Boulder students having earned honors for original work.

• APRD Nonprofit Assistance: Selected classes work with local nonprofits on projects such as Google Ad Grants, marketing-data analysis and public-relations campaign planning, giving students experience with genuine organizational needs.

• Global Strategic Communication: APRD 3800 combines classroom learning with professional and cultural excursions, helping students develop communication strategies for global and local audiences.

Facilities and program resources: The department's Creative Studio provides a professional-studio environment for Creative-track classes, while CMDI provides access to career, internship and industry resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can enter advertising, public relations, marketing, digital communication, creative production, media and brand-focused roles across agencies, corporations, nonprofits, government organizations and startups. CU Boulder specifically identifies roles such as account manager, account planner, art director, copywriter, digital advertising specialist, digital producer, media planner/buyer, public information officer, publicist, PR writer/editor, social media manager and UX strategist as career opportunities for graduates.

Typical job roles: Account Manager, Public Relations Specialist, Digital Advertising Specialist, Social Media Manager.

Students can strengthen their transition from the classroom to professional employment through CU Boulder's dedicated CMDI career infrastructure:

• CMDI Career Services: Students receive one-on-one career advising, résumé reviews, workshops, mock interviews and access to career fairs and internship opportunities.

• Industry Employer Network: CMDI treats employers as educational partners, with organizations mentoring students, supervising interns and helping students develop professional skills.

• Handshake and Career Resources: Students have access to Handshake for jobs and internships, alongside LinkedIn, GoinGlobal and other career-search resources.

• 130+ Employer Connections: CU Boulder reports that more than 130 renowned organizations employ CMDI graduates, including National Geographic, Rogers & Cowan, Condé Nast, Microsoft, NPR, Uninterrupted and NBC.

• Employment and Salary: CU Boulder reports a $69,780 median salary for public relations specialists, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2024. Across CU Boulder graduates surveyed by Career Services, 91% reported being employed and/or pursuing further education, with a $50,000 median salary for bachelor's graduates; these figures are university-wide rather than specific to Strategic Communication.

• Career Fairs and Employer Events: CMDI hosts career fairs each semester and provides opportunities to connect directly with local and national employers and internship hosts.

• Long-Term Academic Value: CU Boulder's institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission provides recognized institutional quality assurance, while the Strategic Communication curriculum develops transferable research, analytical, creative and digital skills applicable across evolving communication industries.

• Graduation Preparation: Students graduate with opportunities to build a professional portfolio, develop industry connections, complete internships and demonstrate campaign-development skills through the capstone, giving them practical evidence of their abilities when entering the job market.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's-level study in areas such as strategic communication, communication, advertising, public relations, marketing, media, digital communication, design, business or related fields. The BS also provides a useful foundation for students interested in progressing toward specialized graduate education in areas such as brand strategy, public relations, marketing analytics, UX/UI, media studies or communication management.