In an interconnected and media-driven world, the ability to craft compelling messages and manage effective communication strategies is more vital than ever. Mary Baldwin University’s Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication equips students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in organizational communication roles, with a focus on messaging strategy and crisis management.
Graduates of the online Strategic Communication degree program can become change agents for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, blending traditional communication techniques with the latest digital strategies.
At MBU, the BA in Strategic Communication offers a modern approach to education designed specifically for tomorrow’s communication professionals. Features of the program include the following:
Comprehensive curriculum. Gain expertise in both traditional and digital communication channels, ensuring you’re well-versed in all aspects of the field.
Focus on crisis communication. Learn to develop smart, on-brand rapid response strategies that surpass standard public relations techniques.
Real-world experience. Benefit from faculty who are academics and seasoned industry professionals, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Triple bottom-line education. Explore MBU’s focus on the Three P’s — People, Profit, Planet.
Professional connections. Work with faculty connected to top organizations, unlocking internship and job opportunities through their networks.
Our courses are taught by faculty with deep experience in high-profile media, entertainment, and communications organizations. Their professional backgrounds provide you with meaningful exposure to industry practices and valuable insights into corporate communications and public relations. By learning from seasoned professionals, you’ll be better prepared to navigate and build your own career path in the field.
Learn from industry experts with strong professional networks.
Trischa is a creative marketer, storyteller, and vision-driven leader with 15 years of experience in entertainment. She was Head of Brand Social at Spotify and held roles at Universal Pictures, Amazon Prime Video Disney and more.
Passionate about education, Trischa is an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago and Mary Baldwin University, and serves on advisory boards for a UCLA graduate program and The Emma Bowen Foundation.
Lisa Bowman is a marketing executive with a career spanning over 25 years. She is known for her innovative and purpose-driven marketing strategies at global organizations. As the former Chief Marketing Officer for United Way Worldwide and UPS, she led award-winning campaigns that drove significant growth and social impact.
In 2017, Lisa was named the Non-Profit Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association.
Shannon Downey, aka Badass Cross Stitch, is a queer artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator. She moves people from passive consumers of art into engaged creators. Her first book, Let’s Move the Needle, is an activist handbook for artists, crafters, creatives, and makers.Let’s Move the Needle, is an activist handbook for artists, crafters, creatives, and makers.
Shannon founded and ran a digital marketing company for over a decade and served as the Director of Development for Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago.
Daniel Ahiakpor is a seasoned advertising and tech professional with 20 years of experience at Uber, Tiktok, AOL, Yahoo!, and several successful startups.
As a Senior Client Partner at Uber, he drives digital and delivery growth for top enterprise restaurant brands, while also advising two AI-powered startups.
Daniel holds a BA in Political Science from CUNY Hunter College and an Executive MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Haley Bala is a strategist and storyteller with 15+ years of experience leading brand, marketing, and audience growth initiatives for Disney, Live Nation, and NBC Sports.
She now consults with purpose-driven organizations, including p1440 founded by Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings, to build scalable strategies, partnerships, and product portfolios. Based in Mexico, she helps U.S. and Mexican brands expand across borders with culturally fluent, impactful plans.
Graduates of Mary Baldwin’s online Strategic Communication degree program are well-prepared for a wide variety of careers. With a focus on both traditional and modern communication strategies, MBU graduates are positioned for success.
Examples of potential roles include:
As a Strategic Communication major, you’ll gain a robust education in both hard and soft skills, ensuring you’re ready for the demands of the modern workplace.
Hard skills you’ll learn include:
Soft skills you’ll learn include:
No application fee is required for undergraduate students. The BA in Strategic Communication is offered both online and on-campus. Admission requirements include the following. The Online Admissions Office reviews applications and renders an admission decision within three business days. More information on admission requirements for online students can be found here: https://catalog.marybaldwin.edu/mbu-online-undergraduate-admission
If you have questions, reach out to discuss your goals and explore how this program aligns with them. Our admissions team is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way – from selecting your degree and completing your application to preparing for your first day of class.
We’re excited about the opportunity to help you take the next step in your academic journey.
