Public Relations and Strategic Communication
If your desire is to shape and influence how people receive information about a company or organization, your career path into public relations should begin at St. Ambrose University.
Our graduates work at Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, YASH Technologies, Community Health Care, Family Rescue, Inc., and many others.
Ambrose Advantages
- Classes Pair Theory and Hands-On Learning
- Internships Encouraged With a Variety of Area Organizations
- Experienced Communication Faculty
Our professors give you breadth of perspective, experience, and adaptability needed to help organizations manage their image in the community and through multiple media channels. When you've completed your degree, you'll be fully prepared to take on the challenges of a career or graduate school.
See Our Strategic Communication Major Fact Sheet (pdf)
More Information on Public Relations and Strategic Communication
You will develop skills in advertising and public relations techniques and strategies. Examples of courses include Principles of Public Relations, Media Writing, Public Relations Techniques, Media Theory and Ethics, Advertising Copywriting, Business and Professional Speaking.
Then, put it all to work. For the capstone class during your senior year, you become an associate of the Ambrose Public Relations Agency (APRA). Your work – on behalf of the agency and in tandem with your classmates – will result in a meaningful and enticing communication campaign for a local organization.
Through APRA, our students have worked with and contributed to more than 25 organizations including River Music Experience, Figge Art Museum, and the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center.
We don't want our students to sit still. Instead, we want them to learn by doing.&
Here's examples of what you can accomplish at SAU to strengthen your writing and better understand the nuances of working with media:
- Get involved with The Buzz, SAU's student-run newspaper. When you join the staff, you make decisions about content; report and edit stories; handle design and layout pages; take pictures; and sell and design advertising.
- SAUtv is a 24/7 TV station that offers programming on education and technology. Our students produce a weekly newscast, operate cameras, edit video, broadcast live sporting events, and work as on-air talent. Check out the SAUtv YouTube Channel.
- KALA-FM Radio broadcasts and streams 24/7 on 88.5 and 106.1 FM, featuring everything from blues to gospel to urban to rock. We also have The Stinger, an online radio station featuring the latest hits. Best of all, our students choose the shows, program music, edit news specials, volunteer at community events, and broadcast live sporting events under the direction of a staff advisor.
- Our faculty encourage creativity, tenacity, and professionalism – and as a result our students soar. Check out the awards KALA and SAUtv students earned from the Iowa Broadcast News Association on the Digital Media Production/TV-Radio page.
- Intern! You will get marketable experience, learn from professionals, and network with your future colleagues while still in college. Our Communication Department faculty have deep connections in the media world, and working with the SAU Career Center you have plenty of opportunities to learn in the field. For instance:
- Public Relations and Strategic Communication majors have interned with Quad City Mallards, Genesis Medical Center, The District of Rock Island, Quad City River Bandits, and several advertising and public relations agencies.
- Journalism students have interned with local NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX affiliates, and newspapers including the Quad-City Times and The Dispatch/Rock Island Argus.
- Radio and Television majors have interned with local NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX affiliates, and with many area radio stations.
Strategic communication professionals work in virtually every industry: business, entertainment, government, tourism, education, and healthcare.
Our graduates find rewarding positions in public relations and advertising agencies, as social media directors, in public affairs positions, nonprofit fundraising, promotions, and in broadcast and print news departments.
Jim Baumann, PhD, Professor and Chair
Brett Billman, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Marianne Fenn, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Liz Lareau, MS, Lecturer
Communication Center/SAUtv and KALA Radio Staff and Instructors
Greg Armstrong, SAUtv Operations
Dave Baker, KALA Operations Manager
Jordan Franks, Production Specialist
Degree Requirements
View courses and descriptions in the online course catalog
Requirements:
+ENGL 101 English Composition
COMM 224 Digital Media Production (4 credits)
COMM 225 Introduction to Visual Communication OR +DSGN 240 Designing Data
COMM 230 Media Writing
+COMM 232 Media & Society
COMM 240 Principles of Public Relations
COMM 251 Public Relations Techniques
COMM 305 Media Theory & Ethics
COMM 326 Communication & Technology
COMM 331 Advanced Media Writing OR COMM 323 Advertising Copy Writing
COMM 340 Global Communication
COMM 353 Cases & Research in Strategic Communication
COMM 405 Strategic Communication Campaigns
COMM 432 Media Law
Take one (Only offered once per academic year:
COMM 327 Organizational Communication
COMM 329 Business and Professional Communication
COMM 361 Topics in Strategic Communication
+satisfies general education requirement
C+ Average required throughout the major.
Required:
COMM 203 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 232 Media and Society
COMM 326 Communication and Technology
COMM 340 Global Communication
COMM 327 Organizational Communication OR COMM 361 Topics in Strategic Communication
ENGL 101 English Composition
COMM 230 Media Writing
COMM 232 Media and Society
COMM 240 Principles of Public Relations
COMM 251 Public Relations Techniques
COMM 353 Cases and Research in Strategic Communication
COMM 432 Media Law
This is the suggested plan of study to graduate in four years with a degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communication.
This plan assumes the student has not taken three years of foreign language in high school. Current students should use MySAU Portal Student Planning and consult with an advisor to determine graduation requirements.
Read course descriptions in the Course Catalog
Year One
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 240 Principles of Public Relations | 3 | COMM 230 Media Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 101 Composition | 3 | COMM 232 Media and Society | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Info Lit | 1 |
| Foreign Language 101 | 3 | Social Science | 3 |
| NSS 101 New Student Seminar | 1 | Foreign Language 102 | 3 |
| THEO/PHIL | 3 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | Total Credits | 16 |
Year Two
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 225 OR DSGN 240 | 3 | COMM 251 Public Relations Techniques | 3 |
| STBE 137 Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | COMM 331 Adv. Media Writing | 3 |
| COMM 224 | 4 | THEO/PHIL | 3 |
| Wellness Concepts | 1 | Electives | 6 |
| KIN Activity | 1-2 | ||
| Natural Science | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 15-16 | Total Credits | 15 |
Year Three
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 326 (Fall only) | 3 | COMM 340 Global Communication (Spring only) | 3 |
| COMM 305 (Fall only) | 3 | COMM 327, 329, or 361 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Humanities | 3 |
| Creative Arts | 3 | THEO/PHIL | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | Total Credits | 15 |
Year Four
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 353 Cases and Research in Strategic Communication | 3 | COMM 405 Strategic Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | COMM 432 Media Law (Spring only) | 3 |
| THEO/PHIL | 3 | Electives | 9 |
| 6 | |||
| Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 15 |
Scholarships and Grants
St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based upon your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.
We want to recognize the time it took to stay on top of important steps in your college search. You'll be ahead of the crowd when you earn your $1,000* Bee Ready Bonus!
*$500 if living off campus. Bonus is one-time for first-year students enrolling full-time in fall 2023.
Eligible students need to complete the following three steps between June 1 and November 15, 2022:
- Visit SAU
- Apply and be admitted
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it to SAU
Download helpful PDFs of this information here: First-Year Iowa Residents and First-Year Out of State Residents
IOWA RESIDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS
Iowa Resident On Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Trustee Scholar: $25,000 per year
Criteria: unweighted 3.9 GPA and minimum 29 ACT or 1340 SAT score. Must maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA in successive years. Invited to compete for an Ambrose Scholar full-tuition award.
Academic Scholarships: $15,000-21,000 per year
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and test scores (optional)
University Grant: $13,000 per year
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and test scores (optional)
Iowa Resident On Campus Additional Institutional Aid
Ambrose Advantage Full-Tuition Scholarship (more information here)
Iowa resident, Pell Grant and Iowa Tuition Grant eligible, 2023 high school graduate, minimum unweighted 2.5 GPA, admitted and file FAFSA filed by March 15. To remain eligible in subsequent years, students must maintain 2.5 GPA.
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships: $1,000 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school
Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student
Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability
Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Student Leader Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in select student clubs and organizations, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
Faith Learning Justice Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in campus ministry, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
IOWA RESIDENTS LIVING OFF CAMPUS
Iowa Resident Off Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Academic Scholarships: $13,000-$16,000 per year
Based on unweighted GPA and test scores (optional)
University Grant: $11,000 per year
Based on unweighted GPA and test scores (optional)
Iowa Resident Off Campus Additional Institutional Scholarships
Ambrose Advantage Full-Tuition Scholarship (more information here)
Iowa resident, Pell Grant and Iowa Tuition Grant eligible, 2023 high school graduate, minimum unweighted 2.5 GPA, admitted and file FAFSA filed by March 15. To remain eligible in subsequent years, students must maintain 2.5 GPA.
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school
Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student
Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability
Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Student Leader Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in select student clubs and organizations, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
Faith Learning Justice Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in campus ministry, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS
Out of State On Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Trustee Scholar: $25,000 per year
Unweighted 3.90 GPA and minimum 29 ACT or 1340 SAT score. Must maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA in successive years. Invited to compete for an Ambrose Scholar full-tuition award.
Academic Scholarships: $17,000-$23,000 per year
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and test scores (optional)
University Grant: $13,000 per year
Based on unweighted GPA and test scores (optional)
Out of State On Campus Additional Institutional Aid
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships: $1,000 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school
Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student
Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability
Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Student Leader Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in select student clubs and organizations, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
Faith Learning Justice Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in campus ministry, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS LIVING OFF CAMPUS
Out of State Off Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Academic Scholarships: $14,000-$17,000 per year
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and test scores (optional)
University Grants: $13,000 per year
Based on unweighted test scores
Out of State Off Campus Additional Institutional Scholarships
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school
Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student
Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability
Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Student Leader Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in select student clubs and organizations, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
Faith Learning Justice Scholarship: $2,000 per year (more information here)
Involvement in campus ministry, additional application required by Dec. 31, 2022. Cannot be combined with athletics or fine arts scholarships.
Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1.
Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant. FAFSA deadline is July 1.
Award: $6,800
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a Expected Family Contribution (EFC) threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
To qualify, you must file a FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 15 and you must qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum
Federal Work Study
Must secrute campus employment.
Award: $2,560
Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000
There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:
- Fastweb
- College Board Scholarship Search
- Scholarships.com
- Peterson's Award Database
- Scholly (app download)
Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Bee Central where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.
Keri Gleason '13
"It was in the Communication Department that I learned one of the most important lessons during undergrad. It's not about getting things right the first time; it's about what you learn along the way. The professors I had for my Public Relations major taught me more than just what was in the books. I was taught and encouraged to think outside the box, express creativity, and take risks with my writing."
Read about another Communication Department graduate, Tim Bladel '14Daniel Molinero
Bachelor of Arts in Communication,Marketing Technology and Operations Administrator for Agent Support Network of America (ASNOA), Burr Ridge, Ill. ,Class of 2018
Our communication programs do not prepare students. We prepare professionals. Daniel sought a program that was as dedicated and enthusiastic about the field as he was. He got hands-on, relevant, genuine experience, and was guided by faculty who stressed ethics and the ever-changing environment. Daniel's education propelled his skills, and goals, even higher than he first imagined.
Contact
Jim Baumann, PhD, Chairperson
Communication Department
Galvin Fine Arts Center, Office 35
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6048
BaumannJamesA@sau.edu