Public Relations, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Program Objectives
Graduates of the Public Relations program pursue careers with corporations, non-profits, educational, governmental, media, and public relations and advertising agencies. Managing the communication between an organization and its publics, practitioners write news releases, video news releases, newsletters, speeches, annual reports, advertising copy, promotional pieces, feature stories, and social media entries, to name a few. Public Relations practitioners provide appropriate counsel in employee, community, financial, consumer, government, and media relations, as well as crisis communication, all based on ethical principles set forth by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). They manage social media accounts, plan events, fundraise, and address public concerns. Students must demonstrate excellence in writing, research, planning, communication, and evaluation of public situations strategies using a variety of platforms to meet the standards for a public relations education as published by PRSA. One of only 40 Certified Bachelor’s Degree Public Relations Programs in the World!
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 09.0902
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Foundations of Learning | ||
| Foundations of Learning (waived for transfers with 30+ hrs.) | 1 | |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| PUB 275 | Public Relations Principles | 3 |
| PUB 305 | Public Relations Research | 3 |
| PUB 320 | Design for Mass Media | 3 |
| PUB 325 | Advertising Strategy and Practice | 3 |
| PUB 380 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| PUB 410 | Social Media and Public Relations | 3 |
| PUB 416 | Media Ethics | 3 |
| or BEM 415 | Media Ethics | |
| PUB 425 | Crisis & Risk Communication | 3 |
| PUB 470 | Public Relations Internship | 1 |
| or PUB 349 | Applied Learning in Public Relations | |
| PUB 475 | Public Relations Case Studies | 3 |
| PUB 490 | Public Relations Campaigns | 3 |
| PUB 491 | Senior Seminar in Public Relations | 1 |
| BEM 295 | Video Production I | 4 |
| BEM 305 | Storytelling & Feature Writing | 3 |
| BEM 405 | Media Law | 3 |
| Choose from six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| PR Event Planning & Management | ||
| Fundraising | ||
| Integrated Communications | ||
| Independent Study in Public Relations | ||
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| BEM 200 | Mass Media and Society G | 3 |
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 35 hours of free electives | 35 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hour General Education requirement above.