BA in
Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication Hardin-Simmons University
Introduction
Our Strategic Communication Degree is designed to equip students to apply communication strategies in a variety of organizational settings, to integrate multi-disciplinary communication tools and techniques, and to engage people with organizational messages in face-to-face conversations and through mediated platforms, both traditional and social.
Students will become proficient in writing, mass media literacy, advertising, public speaking, political communication, and building a career portfolio in an integrated course of study involving each faculty member. Students will engage in the application of theory in professional settings with hands-on experiences and solid internships to prepare for a rapidly changing world of communication.
Hands-on Experience
Our students have multiple opportunities to get hands-on, real-world experience quickly in their degree. Our Computers in Communication course emphasizes computer skills they will need to build their Digital Portfolio. Our university puts many students to work in a myriad of ways in our University Marketing offices with video and camera work, social media management, promotional projects, event planning, and graphic design. Other students gain valuable experience working with the school’s video production truck at sporting events and other university events. Internships allow our students to put their communication skills to work in a variety of professional arenas.
Many of our students work on projects for the Texas Forts Trails, Charles Goodnight Education and Visitor’s Center, and more. They create museum content, promotional publications and videos, and social media promotional content. And our capstone class, Digital Portfolio, gives students the opportunity to package all this content and practice presenting it to faculty and to outside professionals.
Our Vision
HSU’s Department of Communication will strive to be a growing, innovative, and relevant program equipping students for excellence, whether directly pursuing careers applying their strategic communication skills or in pursuit of graduate studies, with the desire to grow our own master’s level program in the next 5 years.
Gallery
Scholarships and Funding
Communications Department Scholarships & Awards
Emogene Emery Speech Communication Scholarship
The scholarship was established in 1970 by Miss Emogene Emery, a departmental faculty member from 1945 to 1977, and Chair of the Department of Communication, in memory of Miss Emery’s parents. The award typically goes to a student pursuing secondary speech teacher certification. Continued academic achievement allows the recipient to retain the scholarship for more than one year.
Wright Public Speaking Award
The Wright Public Speaking Award was created through Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Wright, Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Wright, Jr. in 1980. This award is given to a communication major that exhibits positive public speaking skills regularly, whether through involvement with campus organizations, internships, or part-time employment.
Kincaid Journalism Award
The Naomi Kincaid Journalism Award was established in 1972 through a bequest under the will of the late Mrs. Lee Kincaid. The award is in the form of a recognition plaque and a small monetary gift, given to the communication major that has proven him/herself as an outstanding member of the department.
Mildred Paxton Moody Endowed Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in honor of Mrs. Mildred Maxton Moody by her friends. Mrs. Moody was the first editor of The Brand, graduated from HSU in 1916, and was a “First Lady” of Texas. The recipient has to be a communication major with strengths in either written or oral communication, with preference given to writing ability.
Sinclair Scholarship
Original endowment was created when the HSU debate team won a collegiate debate, sponsored by the Sinclair Oil Company in 1961 and 1962, broadcast on the TV program “Young America Speaks.” The recipient shall be a communication major exhibiting skills in public speaking and a positive representation of the department.
Zabloudil/McClure Endowed Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Charles McClure established the scholarship in honor of Jake Zablousil, Mrs. McClure’s twin brother. Mrs. McClure graduated from HSU in 1939, and Mr. McClure in 1942. The intent of the scholarship was to provide an opportunity for students to enjoy learning and to broaden and enrich their university experience. The departmental recipient should demonstrate a desire to learn and must maintain a sound GPA.
Nancy Nell Cox Walter Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was established in honor of Nancy Nell Cox Walter by her children. Mrs. Walter was named “Most Outstanding Journalism Teacher in the United States” by Columbia University in New York City and was a teacher at Cooper High School in Abilene, Thus, the award goes to a communication major with strong academic skills and excellent representation of the department.
Jack and Sue Bradford Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Sue Savage Bradford originally established this scholarship in honor of her husband, Jack C. Bradford, both HSU alumni. The Bradfords were residents of Sweetwater, running both a successful insurance agency and renowned registered Hereford stock. Recipients must use the Holy Bible as their textbook and typically study journalism, public relations, or mass media. Several recipients are chosen each academic year for this scholarship.
Koma Beryl Fields Endowment for Communication
The Koma Beryl Fields Endowment for Communication was established in March 2006 to benefit the Department of Communication at Hardin-Simmons University. The endowment is established in appreciation for the work of the department in the development of communication materials produced by the department relative to the preservation of the historically significant Charles Goodnight home place in the Texas Panhandle.
Mrs. Koma Beryl Fields is a loyal and faithful supporter of Hardin-Simmons University. Mrs. Koma Beryl (Mahler) Fields is a 1940 alumna of the institution and currently serves on the HSU Board of Development. In addition, Mrs. Fields has served a full nine-year term on the Hardin-Simmons University Board of Trustees.
Curriculum
Streamlined Degree, Packed Full of Content
Every Strategic Communication student will take the 12 core courses we feel are essential to success in today’s communication careers. This also means every student will benefit from having each of our professors for multiple courses. From Interpersonal skills to Public Speaking, from Advertising to Social Media Writing, from Political Communication to Organizational Communication, our students gain depth in a wide range of communication applications.
BA Core Curriculum
Major: Communication
- Survey of Mass Media
- Communication Theory
- Public Speaking
- Social Media Writing
- Survey of Advertising
- Interpersonal Communication
- Media Campaigns
- Survey of American Film
- Political Communication
- Organizational Communication
- Digital Portfolio
- Internship in Communication
Program Outcome
Why Study Communication at HSU?
The HSU Strategic Communication Degree gives you unique opportunities to work closely with your instructors who have a combined expertise of nearly a hundred years of teaching communication. Every Strategic Communication student will benefit from getting to have each of our Communication professors for one or more courses. Our size means you will get immediate opportunities to learn from hands-on experience. Our program is growing and opening new avenues of learning every year. Our students have an outstanding track record of landing careers in the very things they did for their internships. We frequently benefit from having alumni share about their success and experience. For decades employers have named communication skills as one of the top five, often the top two most needed skills for new hires. With the rapidly changing world of mediated communication, these skills are becoming even more important.
Career Opportunities
Alumni Success
One of the amazing things about a degree in Communication is its broad application to a variety of career opportunities. Our alumni work in advertising & marketing, film, television & radio, social media journalism, social media marketing, politics, management, sales, self-published blogs, church media & other ministries, education, city coordinators, city managers, event planning, non-profit organizations, and so much more.
What can you do with a Strategic Communication Degree?
- Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing;
- Social Media Manager, Digital Content Developer, Business Communication Specialist, Event Coordinator;
- Church or Ministry Media Director, Political Communication, Advocacy, Journalism;
- Traditional Media, Film and Video, Promotional Video Production, Sports Marketing, and Production.