Public Relations and Advertising Major, Public Relations Emphasis, B.A./B.S.

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34 hours plus 6 hours of Cognates; C or better required in all courses; 2.25 major GPA required

Mass Communication majors (Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising, Radio and Television) must adhere to the guidelines of the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Public Relations and Advertising Major

Students may choose either an emphasis in public relations or advertising, depending upon individual interests. By carefully selecting appropriate electives offered in the program, students may develop skills in both areas.

Required Core (13 hours)

PRL 101 - Introduction to Public Relations Credits: 3
ADV 101 - Introduction to Advertising Credits: 3
COMM 494 - Mass Communication Law and Ethics Credits: 3
COMM 495 - Mass Communication Research Credits: 3
COMM 497 - Career Planning and Professional Development Credits: 1

Public Relations Emphasis

The public relations emphasis provides students with a background that includes the essential skills of writing and design to enter the rapidly growing public relations field. Students are prepared to advance in their careers through courses in research, strategy development, and integrated marketing campaigns. In addition to required courses, students may choose from a variety of directed communications electives to enhance their career objectives.

Required Public Relations Courses (12 hours)

PRL 362 - Writing for Public Relations Credits: 3
PRL 365 - Public Relations Administration Credits: 3
PRL 368 - Strategic Writing Credits: 3
PRL 468 - Public Relations Campaigns Credits: 3

Electives for Public Relations Emphasis (9 hours)

ADV 342 - Advertising Design Credits: 3
ADV 343 - Media Planning Credits: 3
ADV 346 - Special Events and Promotion Credits: 3
ADV 347 - Advertising Copywriting Credits: 3
ADV 440 - Advanced Advertising Campaigns Credits: 3
COMM 190 - Computer Basics Credits: 1
COMM 192 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3 or
RTV 151 - Survey of Contemporary Broadcasting Credits: 3
COMM 477 - Comparative Structures of Mass Media in a Global Community Credits: 3
JRN 281 - Basic Reporting Credits: 3
JRN 374 - Internet Communications Credits: 3
JRN 384 - Feature Writing Credits: 3
PRL 364 - Publications Design Credits: 3
PRL 366 - Seminar in Public Relations Credits: 3
PRL 400 - Independent Study in Public Relations Credits: 1-3
PRL 461 - Seminar in Integrated Marketing Communications Credits: 3
PRL 465 - Institutional Advancement Credits: 3
PRL 466 - Seminar in Public Opinion Credits: 3
PRL 467 - Crisis Communications Credits: 3
PRL 489 - Internship in Public Relations Credits: 1-3
PRL 499 - Special Topics Credits: 3
RTV 255 - Media Production Credits: 3
RTV 354 - Writing for Electronic Media Credits: 3
RTV 452 - Broadcast and Cable Sales Credits: 3

Communication Majors, Ethnic Cultures Cognate (3 hours)

Journalism majors may also select
JRN 496 - Media Ethics
ADV 499 - Special Topics Credits: 3
(approved ADV 499 topic: Advertising & Cultural Perceptions)
CMST 308 - Rhetoric and Diversity Credits: 3
CMST 317 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
COMM 477 - Comparative Structures of Mass Media in a Global Community Credits: 3
ENG 231 - African American Literature Credits: 3
ENG 330 - Ethnic Literature in America Credits: 3
JRN 499 - Special Topics Credits: 3
(approved JRN 499 topics: Covering Diverse Cultures; Diversity & Mass Media)
LIBA 497 - Capstone Studies Credits: 3
(approved LIBA 497 topics: Racism in America; Art & Diversity/20th Cent; Hawaii/New Zealand)
PRL 499 - Special Topics Credits: 3
(approved PRL 499 topic: PR in a Global Community)
RTV 499 - Special Topics Credits: 3
(approved RTV 499 topic: Race, Ethnicity & the Media)
SOC 370 - Seminar in Sociology Credits: 3
(approved SOC 370 topics: Globalization; Hate Groups/Hate Crimes; Race, Class, Gen-Pop Culture)
SOC 421 - Race and Ethnicity Credits: 3

Communication Majors, Gender Studies Cognate (3 hours)

CMST 402 - Gender, Communication, and Culture Credits: 3
CMST 499 - Special Topics in Communication Studies Credits: 3
(approved CMST499 topic: Rhetoric of Family & Gender)
ENG 288 - Introduction to Women in Literature Credits: 3
ENG 387 - Women’s Literature and Gender Issues: 19th- and 20th-Century Theory Credits: 3
GNDR 111 - Intro to Gender Studies Credits: 3
GNDR 333 - Perspectives on Gender Credits: 3
GNDR 449 - Special Topics: Gender Studies Credits: 3
HIST 311 - Women and Gender in America Credits: 3
HIST 498 - Senior Seminar in American History Credits: 3
(approved HIST498 topic: Women/Gender to 1920)
JRN 499 - Special Topics Credits: 3
(approved JRN 499 topic: Diversity & Mass Media)
LIBA 497 - Capstone Studies Credits: 3
(approved LIBA497 topic: Women, Art & Society)
PHIL 364 - Gender and Philosophy Credits: 3
PSY 381 - Psychology of Gender Credits: 3
RTV 499 - Special Topics Credits: 3
(approved RTV 499 topic: Media & Female Athletes)
SOC 370 - Seminar in Sociology Credits: 3
(approved SOC 370 topics: Hate Groups/Hate Crimes; Race, Class, Gen-Pop Culture; Gender at Work; Women & Work)
SOC 431 - Gender and Society Credits: 3

Additional Information for the Public Relations and Advertising Major

An internship in public relations or advertising is highly recommended. By interning with a public relations firm, advertising agency, or within corporate or not-for-profit departments, students network with professionals who help them polish their skills for entry into the fields.