Skip to Main Content
The Social Media & Digital Communication major was created to give our graduates the skills that they need to be successful in this quickly-evolving field.
Contact the Office of Admissions
Contact the Office of Admissions
Faculty and Staff
Faculty and Staff
Array ( [0] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 97767 [post_author] => 53 [post_date] => 2021-06-03 16:16:57 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-06-03 20:16:57 [post_content] => John T. Mims, Chair of Strategic Communication and Assistant Professor of the Practice of Communication, has been a full-time assistant professor in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication since 2016. In 2015, Mims served as an adjunct in both the School of Communication and the Earl N. Phillips School of Business teaching public relations and marketing classes.   Prior to joining High Point University, John had more than 20 years experience working in both corporate communication and agency communication. He has developed and implemented numerous strategic communication plans for large corporate clients and non-profit organizations. He is an expert in crisis communication and communicating using social media.   John worked with students to form Ascension336, a student-run communication agency that works with non-profit clients. He believes strongly in experiential learning and creates assignments that give students a realistic look at strategic communication.   John has a bachelor of arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Pfeiffer University. He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America and served on the board of the local chapter. He and his wife Laura have three children. [post_title] => John Mims [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => john-mims [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2022-09-09 08:40:55 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-09-09 12:40:55 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.highpoint.edu/?p=97767 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => faculty-staff [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 97971 [post_author] => 53 [post_date] => 2021-06-03 16:20:31 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-06-03 20:20:31 [post_content] => Matt Ritter, Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication, joined the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication in 2013 first as an adjunct instructor and later as a strategic communication professor.   Dr. Ritter is a career professional-turned academic with more than 15 years of combined experience in digital media, public relations and advertising, teaching, and research.   An expert in media relations, Dr. Ritter tries to bring that expertise to the classroom. He is passionate about ensuring that students enter their careers prepared for the changing industry landscape. His research analyzes current media trends exploring the diminishing role of elite news media outlets.  In 2016 he published his master’s thesis, which analyzes whether or not public tornado warnings actually work. Other research includes an historical analysis of the development of the NBC Peacock logo pieced together from archive material found in industry magazines published in the 1960s and 1970s.   Dr. Ritter sees it as his duty to teach students to approach public relations as an ever-evolving industry where it often feels like cutting-edge can become obsolete almost overnight. He believes students learn best when they are told how to do something, given the tools to succeed, and are then set loose to explore for themselves.   Dr. Ritter returns to his alma mater, having completed his M.A. in Strategic Communication at High Point University. [post_title] => Matthew Ritter [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => matthew-ritter [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-04-04 12:07:06 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-04-04 16:07:06 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.highpoint.edu/?p=97971 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => faculty-staff [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 98013 [post_author] => 53 [post_date] => 2021-06-03 16:21:17 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-06-03 20:21:17 [post_content] => [post_title] => Nakia Shelton [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => nakia-shelton [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-08-05 10:01:26 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-08-05 14:01:26 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.highpoint.edu/?p=98013 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => faculty-staff [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) )
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Strategic Communication
Director of Communication Fellows, Associate Professor of Strategic Communication
Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication

The Social Media & Digital Communication major was created to give our graduates the skills that they need to be successful in this quickly-evolving field. As social media has grown from a curiosity to a powerful way to communicate, businesses and entrepreneurs value the skills needed to leverage the power of digital communication. The courses within the major build expertise in written communication, video production, and graphic design—all invaluable skills in the digital age. In addition, our graduates will have experience in creating far reaching campaigns that will persuade and build brands.

Course Requirements 2022/2023
Bachelor of Arts in Social Media & Digital Communication
Bachelor of Arts in Social Media & Digital Communication
Degree Requirements Credits
Major Requirements 59
University Core Requirements 50
Electives 20
Total 128
Requirements for B.A. in Social Media & Digital Communication
Requirements for B.A. in Social Media & Digital Communication
Course Course Title Credits
COM 1110 Human Communication 4
COM 1450 Media Law and Literacy 2
COM 3450 Media Law and Ethics 2
COM 2001 Techniques in Media Production 4
JOU 2201 Infographics 2
JOU 3323 Copy Editing 4
MPE 2261 Podcasting Workshop 2
POP 3414 Advertising and Consumer Culture 4
SME 4345 Social Media and Analytics 4
SME 4545 Applied Social Media 4
SME 4800 Senior Seminar 1
STC 2225 Foundations of Strategic Communication 4
STC 2260 Agency Practicum 2
Other Required Courses:
ART 2050 Digital Art and Design 4
ART 3680 Digital Photography 4
ENG 2140 Digital Writing for Social Action 4
MKT 4100 Social Media Marketing 4
Select one course from the following list:
GDS 3540 Interactive Environments 4
MPE 2011 Multicamera Production 4
MPE 2221 Audio Production 4
MPE 3010 Drone Pilot Certification 4
MPE/GDS 3361 Motion Graphics 4
CSC 1210 Web Development 4
CSC 1610 Introduction to Programming for Data Analytics 4
Course Descriptions
200 Hours of Certified Client Work

Students enrolled in the Social Media and Digital Communication major will be required to work with an organization to provide 200 hours of social media management.
Career Opportunities
Armed with the skills learned in the social media and digital communication major, our students can:
Student Outcomes

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

Cassady Kreuser
Memphis Grizzlies - NBA

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

Update! The information below has been updated to reflect HPU’s NEW 99% outcomes rate! This story is featured in the Fall 2022 edition of the HPU Magazine. HPU’s Office of…

Jake Fahler
WTAE Pittsburgh Action News 4

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

Thomas Hart
Tupelo Honey Media

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

  Name: Christy Hribar Hometown: Hilliard, Ohio  Year: Class of 2023 Major: Marketing with minors in strategic communication and social media marketing Internship: Over the summer, Hribar interned for Warner…

Name: Brian Margolis Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut Year: Class of 2024 Major: Sport management with a minor in hospitality Internship: Margolis joins High Point University as a manager of the women’s…

Study Abroad
At High Point University, our emphasis on global perspectives is designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their international awareness and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. Study abroad is strongly encouraged as a part of this emphasis on global studies. With a variety of extraordinary options at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, students at High Point University are encouraged to study abroad as early as the summer after their freshman year. Employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want well-rounded individuals who have familiarity with diverse cultures, special skills, and knowledge of the world around them.
School of Communication Gallery
School of Communication Gallery
View photos from Nido R. Qubein School of Communication.
Apply
You have completed your search and found your perfect match at High Point University. Let’s begin.
Visit
See for yourself what an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people looks like.
Discover
The Premier Life Skills University is focused on preparing YOU for the world as it is going to be.