Transfer Advising Guide for Strategic Communication (B.S.)

Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design

Program overview 

This major teaches students how to generate ideas and solve problems for businesses, organizations, brands and issues. Your curriculum emphasizes analytical and creative thought as you unpack challenges in public relations, advertising and media design, and learn how to apply cutting-edge digital and social media tools and creative thinking in the context of a specialized set of in-demand skills. Tracks in advertising strategy, public relations and creative allow you to customize your degree to match your career goals.

Admission requirements

View more information regarding CU Boulder transfer admission requirements →

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Students with more than 36 credit hours must have completed an introductory course: 
    • Intro to Public Relations–JOU 2031 or an equivalent Principles of Public Relations course
 

Community College Course Summary*

AA Degree Requirement

Credit Hours

Course Title or Category

Written Communication6
  • ENG 1021 (GT-CO1) & 1022 (GT-CO2) or
  • ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) & a GT Pathways CO3 course
Oral Communication3
  • COM 1150 Public Speaking or
  • COM 1250 Interpersonal Communication or
  • COM 2300 Intercultural Communication (recommended)
Mathematics3
  • One GT Pathways Mathematics course (GT-MA1)
Arts & Humanities6
  • One GT Pathways Arts & Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)
History3
  • One GT Pathways History course (GT-HI1)
Social & Behavioral Science6
  • Two GT Pathways Social & Behavioral Sciences course (GT-SS1, GTSS2, GT-SS3)
Natural & Physical Sciences7
  • Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Sciences courses (GT-SC1, GTSC2), one must be with laboratory (GT-SC1)
Student Choice3
  • One Arts and Humanities, History or Social Behavioral Science course
Electives23

Electives course suggestions include:

  • JOU 2031 Intro to Public Relations

  • CSC 1019 Introduction to Programming†

  • COM 2300 or 2270 meets the “within” CMCI requirement for Diversity.

  • Courses for Secondary Area of Study‡

* If an AA is not completed, either prior to starting at CU or through reverse transfer,  additional CMCI Core courses may be required.  


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Notes 

  • The AA/AS degree fulfills CMCI Core requirements with the exception of CMCI 2030, CMCI Core Computing, and CMCI Core Diversity. CMCI 2030 is a required CMCI specific course and not offered outside of CMCI. CMCI Core Computing &  CMCI Core Diversity could be satisfied, only if an equivalent course is completed. CSC 1019 or 1060 completes the Computing requirement. COM 2300 or 2270 completes the CMCI Diversity requirement. 

  • CMCI requires third-level proficiency in a world language. All students are required to demonstrate third-level proficiency in a single non-English modern or classical language. Students may meet this requirement by:

    • Completing a Level III course (typically the third of three consecutive years) in a single non-English language while in high school.
    • Graduating from a high school that uses a non-English language as its principal mode of instruction, or receiving, in high school, a state-sponsored seal of biliteracy.
    • Passing an appropriate third-semester college course that is part of a three-course sequence of at least 12 semester credit hours, or earning AP or IB credit equivalent to such a course.
    • Passing a CU Boulder-approved proficiency examination.
  • Computing: CSC courses may require more intensive programming than the options available at CU.   

  • Secondary Area of Study: Students must complete a secondary area of study outside the major. This secondary area of study can be met by any of the following: of at least 18 credit hours. Some electives may be applied toward the secondary area of study.

  • This is a suggested guide of coursework only and is subject to change. Several factors can impact the timeline to degree completion. Always consult with your academic advisor for graduation planning purposes.

 

Year 1 – Colorado Community College

First semester
Total credits: 16

  • ENG 1021 – 3 credits
  • Arts and Humanities – 3 credits
  • Social Behavioral Science (JOU 2031 if available) – 3 credits
  • Natural Science – 4 credits
  • History – 3 credits

Second semester
Total credits: 15

  • ENG 1022 – 3 credits
  • Mathematics – 3 credits
  • Arts and Humanities – 3 credits 
  • Social Behavioral Science – 3 credits
  • Elective – 3 credits

Year 2 – CU

First semester
Total credits: 16

  • CMCI 2030 – 4 credits
  • APRD 1004 – 3 credits
  • Computing – 3 credits
  • APRD 1003 or Elective – 3 credits
  • Elective – 3 credits

Second semester
Total credits: 15

  • APRD 2001 – 3 credits
  • APRD 2004 – 3 credits
  • Natural Science – 3 credits
  • Elective or Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits
  • Elective – 3 credits

Year 3 – CU

First semester
Total credits: 15

  • APRD 2005 – 3 credits
  • APRD 2006 – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (UD) – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (UD)  – 3 credits
  • Elective (UD) – 3 credits

Second semester
Total credits: 15

  • APRD Track – 3 credits
  • APRD Track – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (UD) – 3 credits
  • UD Elective or Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits
  • UD Elective or Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits

Year 4 – CU

First semester
Total credits: 15

  • APRD Track – 3 credits
  • APRD Track Elective – 3 credits
  • JRNL 3651 – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits
  • Elective or Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits

Second semester
Total credits: 15

  • APRD 4405 – 4 credits
  • APRD Track Elective – 3 credits
  • APRD Track Elective – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (US) – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (US) – 3 credits

Total credits: 122

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