Applied AI, BA Strategic Communication Emphasis

36 credit hours

The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Artificial Intelligence with a Strategic Communication emphasis organizes applied AI around messaging, media systems, and organizational influence in digitally mediated environments. Students learn to integrate AI tools into communication workflows for audience analysis, content development, campaign strategy, and performance evaluation across platforms. The curriculum emphasizes narrative construction informed by data analytics, enabling students to translate complex information into persuasive, responsible, and context-aware communication. Ethical considerations such as misinformation, transparency, and audience trust are embedded throughout applied practice. Students develop the capacity to align AI-assisted communication with organizational goals while maintaining clarity and accountability.

Requirements

Major Coursework

15 credit hours of coursework from the following options. Each course includes hands-on applied components such as prompt engineering, automation design, and ethical evaluation of AI-assisted outputs.

CAH 20501 - Fundamentals of Applied AI Credit Hour: 3
CAH 30502 - Intermediate Generative AI Tools Credit Hour: 3
CAH 30503 - Human-Centered AI Applications Credit Hour: 3
DCS 36000 - Information Literacy Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 42500 - Ethics of AI Credit Hour: 3

Ethics Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

PHRL 21200 - Ethics & Human Action Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 34000 - Truth, Reality, & Virtual Reality Credit Hour: 3

Strategic Communication Emphasis Coursework

15 credit hours of coursework from the following options, with at least 9 credit hours at the 30000-level. This emphasis develops advanced communication, media, and organizational strategy skills integrated with AI-assisted workflows such as automated campaign management, data-supported messaging, and AI-based content creation.

COM 10001 - Introduction to Communication Credit Hour: 3
COM 20000 - Organizational Communication Credit Hour: 3
COM 21301 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hour: 3
COM 22001 - Writing for Media Credit Hour: 3
COM 31501 - Conflict Management Credit Hour: 3
COM 32700 - Media Literacy Credit Hour: 3
DCS 35000 - Personal Branding Credit Hour: 3
DCS 38700 - Emerging Platforms Credit Hour: 3

Capstone Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following option. Capstone projects must align with the selected emphasis and include an applied portfolio component.

CAH 44444 - Internship Credit Hour: 1-6