Sacred Heart University

The BA in strategic communication, public relations & advertising (SCPRA) provides students with the knowledge, skills and experiences to become leaders in the field.

Why Earn Your BA in Strategic Communication, Public Relations & Advertising at Sacred Heart?

Students in Sacred Heart’s SCPRA program cultivate the critical thinking and technical skills necessary for an ever-changing workplace. By pairing theoretical and historical understanding with hands-on learning, students are able to create meaningful messages and strategic campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Students explore the social impact of media to prepare them for the profound ethical and social responsibilities that come with being a professional communicator and engaged citizen.

Benefit from a flexible course of study

Full-time and part-time programs available. Part-time students have the opportunity to earn their degree fully online. 

Combined BA/MA Program

Incoming freshmen with a strong high school academic performance and an expressed interest in communication are eligible to join our combined five-year program, which leads to the completion of both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in five years.

Learning Outcomes

In our state-of-the-art facilities, students master the latest multimedia tools and social media platforms to develop effective and innovative materials for business, media, nonprofit and political organizations. Through internships and senior projects, our students gain real-world experience, build their professional networks and showcase their unique talents and interests.

Internships

Students have access to the successful internship program in the School of Communication, Media & the Arts (SCMA). Not only do students gain valuable experience but they receive academic credit for their internship learning experiences. Sacred Heart’s close proximity to the New York City/Tri-State Region gives students the opportunity to work at high profile companies such as ABC News, NBC, CBS and MTV, among other top corporations.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for strategic communication, public relations and advertising is estimated to be faster than average in these fields. Projected growth for employment in media and communication occupations between 2019 to 2029 will result in about 46,200 new jobs. Demand for media and communication occupations is expected to rise from the need to create, edit, translate and disseminate information through a variety of different platforms. 

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in:

• Public relations
• Corporate and strategic communication
• Nonprofit organizations
• Integrated marketing communication
• Advertising
• Media relations
• Employee relations
• Community relations
• Social media
• Crisis communication
• Political communication
• Brand Strategy
• Event planning
• Multimedia PR production and content creation