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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Strategic Communication

Strategic Communication combines the areas of marketing, public relations, advertising and social media to create a degree program that is comprehensive and relative in the current workforce. A strategic communication degree will look at how businesses and organizations communicate effectively, analyze their various audiences, and determine how and when to deliver the most effective form of communication in both traditional and digital formats. Students will graduate with the confidence and skills to pursue a career in a variety of communication areas all while learning through the lens of Christian principles.

Ann McNellis

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

“In today's current environment the fields of marketing, communications, public relations, and social media are extremely blurred. Employers will expect their employees to be able to perform a multitude of tasks at a very fast pace. A degree in strategic communications will get students ready for this exciting and ever-changing career path. They will leave with a stocked portfolio displaying a vast collection of work that will highlight many different skills and abilities. They will also be empowered with the knowledge and confidence to hit the ground running in their new career.”

Benefits of the OBU Strategic Communication Program

With an OBU strategic communication degree, you learn how to analyze an audience, prepare and create pertinent messages, and deliver those messages through multiple communication channels, including traditional media, social media, graphics, and content creation. These skills will not only prepare you to meet your career goals, but also are beneficial in building successful relationships in any profession.

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Research

You will study how and why certain messages are formed and the best way to deliver those messages to the intended audience.  You will have the opportunity to research topics of your choice in the field and present at national conferences.

Professional Networking Opportunities

OBU faculty have connections with many local and regional non-profits and corporations in Oklahoma.

Internship Opportunities

You will have the opportunity to intern beginning as early as your freshman year with a variety of communication positions.  Internships are available both on the OBU campus and in the Shawnee and greater OKC area.  Students can intern in areas such as marketing communication, event planning, social media, writing, and sports marketing and can work at corporations, nonprofit agencies, churches, or other regional businesses.

Job Opportunities

Strategic Communication will prepare you for multiple job opportunities, including:

  • Public Relations Specialist/Manager
  • Marketing Communications Manager
  • Social Media Manager
  • Corporate Communications Specialist
  • Brand Manager
  • Media Relations Specialist
  • Content Strategist
  • Crisis Communication Manager
  • Nonprofit Communication Director
  • Investor Relations Manager
  • Advertising Account Executive
  • Event Planner

Program Options

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Benjamin Baxter

Benjamin Baxter

Chair, Division of Art and Design
Chair, Division of Communication Arts
Associate Professor of Animation and Media Production

Dr. Kaylene Barbe

Dr. Kaylene Barbe

Frank W. Patterson Professor of Communications
Professor of Communication Studies

Ann McNellis

Ann McNellis

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

Division of Communication Arts