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
Summary Checklist for General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Element 1 | ||
| A: Written Communication | 3 | |
| B: Written Communication | 3 | |
| C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Element 2 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Element 3 | ||
| A: Arts | 3 | |
| B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Element 4 | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Element 5 | ||
| A: Historical Science | 3 | |
| B: Social Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Element 6 | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives Experiences | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are expected to complete Elements 1 and 2 within their first 60 hours of college credit.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| Student Success Seminar (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 |
| or CMS 302 | Social Media Messaging for Org | |
| 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 |
| or PUB 490S | Public Relations Campaigns | |
| PUB 491 | Senior Seminar in Public Relations | 1 |
| BEM 295 | Video Production | 4 |
| BEM 305W | Storytelling & Feature Writing | 3 |
| BEM 405 | Media Law | 3 |
| DES 256 | Graphic Design for Non-Majors | 3 |
| MKT 301 | Principles of Marketing (NB) | 3 |
| Choose from six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| PR Event Planning & Management | ||
or PUB 385S | PR Event Planning & Management | |
| Fundraising | ||
| Integrated Communications | ||
| Independent Study in Public Relations | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Video Production II | ||
| Independent Study in Electronic Media | ||
| Principles of Management (NB) | ||
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| BEM 200 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 26 hours of free electives | 26 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hour General Education requirement above.