New name, same great program
Boise State Online’s public relations program is ranked in the top 15 nationally for the quality of education and ranked 6th as the most affordable program in the nation. The exceptional online Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations will be the Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Strategic Communications starting in fall 2021.
Why a new name?
Boise State Online’s public relations program has always been about more than public relations. Now, its name serves to represent the true extent of the degree outcomes. The skills and knowledge acquired in the program are much more robust than traditional public relations curricula.
The program encompasses the broad spectrum of strategic communications, whether a student wants to be the voice of the people, an organization or the boardroom. “The new degree name reflects and emphasizes the integrated nature of contemporary strategic communications careers,” said MF Casper, Integrated Strategic Communications Program Coordinator.
“The new degree name reflects and emphasizes the integrated nature of contemporary strategic communications careers.”
— MF Casper, Integrated Strategic Communications Program Coordinator
The program includes relevant topics like business communication, professional writing, and campaign strategy. Along with developing the skills needed to communicate strategically, students can customize their path through electives like multimedia storytelling, crisis management or community relations. These electives give students an edge by allowing them to specialize in an area or industry they want to pursue after graduation while still building on the program’s core strategic communications focus.
“The diversity of courses bridges both internal and external communications and provides opportunities for personalization and specialization that help students build toward their desired career,” Casper expressed. Although the nationally top-ranking online program has a new name, its mission to create expert communication professionals will continue as it always has.
“The diversity of courses bridges both internal and external communications and provides opportunities for personalization and specialization that help students build toward their desired career.”
— MF Casper, Integrated Strategic Communications Program Coordinator
Enhancing student opportunities
The new integrated strategic communications program name is only part of a larger shift from the Department of Communication and Media. At the end of the 2020-2021 Academic Year, the Department of Communication and Media will retire. In fall 2021, two new departments will take its place: the Department of Communication and the Department of Media.
In a recent announcement, department leadership shared their vision for the change, “Over the last 50 years our department has grown to serve more than 1000 students. As we enter our second half-century, we are making changes that enhance student opportunities, develop innovative programs and create memorable experiences for our students.”
The online Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Strategic Communications will reside in the Department of Media along with the online Communication Management Certificate and the online Media Content Management Certificate.
Students finding success through strategic communications
Julie Chigbrow and Sophia Hartsock are two professionals who found success through Boise State’s public relations program. After graduating, both Chigbrow and Hartsock were quickly offered positions at a local public relations agency, RedSky. Chigbrow and Hartsock utilize the valuable skills they learned in the program at their jobs daily.
While many graduates work directly in public relations or other strategic communications positions, integrated strategic communications graduates will likely never be limited by a job title. Austin Richardson, a Navy sailor and dad stationed in Georgia, found that Boise State’s online program gave him the flexibility and freedom he needed to pursue a degree and do his duty as a father and sailor. Since graduating, Richardson has used the strategic communications skills he developed to pursue a law degree. He found that the degree opened the door to a variety of positions in a myriad of industries.
Whether your future is in public relations, leading an organization or being the voice of the people, contact us to learn more about Boise State Online’s Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Strategic Communications today.
Learn More about the Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Strategic Communications