Strategic Communication

In 1964 Marshall McLuhan said, “The medium is the message.” In today’s hyperconnected world, the message has become the medium. We persuade and are persuaded. Technologies like video conferencing, social media and texting connect us with people from all corners of the globe. A degree in strategic communication will unlock opportunities in a field that’s ever-changing and has a daily impact on our lives. 

As a Strategic Communication major, you’ll study the how, why and what of effective communication, for both individuals and organizations. You’ll develop knowledge that is both broad and eclectic. You’ll place special focus on the importance of diversity, inclusive messaging and ethical standards for professional communicators. Common double major combinations are Strategic Communication with: Digital Media Arts, Journalism, English/Creative Writing, or Integrated Marketing Communication.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

A well-rounded perspective is consistent with the liberal arts core at Canisius. Our Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication program will give you the tools to navigate the 21st-century media landscape. You’ll develop a set of transferable skills, including written and oral communication, project management, research, creative content creation, and critical thinking. Guided by Jesuit values, you’ll learn how to use storytelling to highlight causes and societal issues.

Inclusive Messaging

Learn how professionals from all types of organizations—for-profit corporations, nonprofits, government, and health-related organizations—use media to reach and influence diverse audiences.

Deconstructing and Creating Media 

Canisius Strat Com Classroom,
In Social Media Effects, students learn how to build an audience and create content for real clients. They also explore both the intrapersonal and interpersonal effects of social media use.

Become both a critical consumer and a skilled creator of media content. You’ll study how corporations use messages to cultivate relationships in the workplace and to advance their mission and brand. And if you see yourself working in the media, you’ll learn what it takes to develop and present meaningful content to your audience.

A Versatile Skill Set

As a Strategic Communication major, you’ll develop a wide-ranging set of skills—including writing for different media, working with a variety of technology formats, and knowing how to persuade persuade using sophisticated message strategies. You’ll explore different ways to get your message across, including the strategic use of humor; planning in organizational contexts; developing targeted, creative problem-solving skills; and constructing effective, strategic messages.

View Extended Learning Opportunities

The Ethics of Communication

Because the impact of public communication is often immediate and far-reaching, professional communicators must develop an ethical lens. Through our program, you’ll employ best practices for effective communication within an ethical framework.

Career Connections

Test your skills in the real world with an internship or two. A field professional and our department’s internship director will support you as you take on internships locally or in cities such as New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

View Recent Internships

Common career paths

  • social media manager
  • public relations/events manager
  • director/producer for film/television/video games
  • higher education events coordinator, admissions counselor, alumni relations, or academic success coach
  • human resources business partner, fundraising manager, communication trainer, consultant, or professor

By The Numbers

  • Jobs for PR and fundraising managers are projected to grow 8% from 2018 to 2028.
  • 90% of our alumni are working in the field