Undergraduate Degree

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations provides the educational and experiential background necessary for students aspiring to become public relations specialists, public relations account managers, media relations specialists, social media managers, content managers, event coordinators and more. The program focuses on developing strategic planning skills, applied skills in writing and content creation, and critical thinking, along with research-oriented and analytical skills.

Internships and other cooperative educational opportunities are required in the program. Students may also choose to pursue related minors in Advertising Analytics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sales Leadership, or Sports Business Management.

Co-curricular activities include public relations and advertising associations and clubs, national student competitions, and experiential learning. Related study abroad programs enhance students’ experiences beyond the classroom. Participation in these opportunities further advance student employment opportunities upon graduation.

The major is designed to provide an understanding of the role of public relations in contemporary society, along with knowledge and experience in developing public relations materials for use in corporate, governmental, and nonprofit organizational settings. Program curriculum focuses on public relations research methods; writing for traditional and social media; public relations techniques; public relations strategies; portfolio development; public relations campaign planning; diversity, equity and inclusion in public relations; and public relations ethics.

Admission

Enrollment in the Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations is limited and competitive.

To be considered for admission to the major, a student must:

1. Have completed 28 credits.
2. Have earned a combined minimum grade-point average of at least 3.0 in Mathematics 101 or 102 or Statistics 200; Public Relations 260; and Public Relations 225.
3. Have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0.

Students wishing to major in public relations must make a request to the Public Relations Program Director or delegate when they are eligible and ready to be considered. Incoming students who declare the major in public relations are automatically reviewed at the end of every semester and are either admitted or informed of their progress. Students who are not admitted will be eligible to reapply after correcting whatever deficiency is noted in their first application. Students may only reapply once. If the second application is deficient, no further applications will be considered.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Public Relations major is met by completing Public Relations 485.  That course is referenced in item 3. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   	MTH	101	Quantitative Literacy I						3
   	MTH	102	Quantitative Literacy II						3
   	STT	200	Statistical Methods						3
   b.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
   	PR	225	Writing for Public Relations						3
   	PR	260	Principles of Public Relations						3
   c.	All of the following courses (24 credits):
   	PR	300	Public Relations Theory and Ethics						3
   	PR	305	Methods of Public Relations Inquiry						3
   	PR	310	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Relations and Advertising						3
   	PR	320	Public Relations Storytelling for Digital, Video and Print						3
   	PR	325	Intermediate Social Media and Public Relations Techniques						3
   	PR	335	Advanced Social Media and Public Relations Techniques						3
   	PR	425	Public Relations Strategy and Ethics In a Digital World						3
   	PR	485	Integrated Public Relations Campaigns (W)						3
   d.	Cognate (15 credits):
   	The cognate consists of a set of courses that can be selected from one of the following thematic areas: business, fine arts, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, or an approved university minor administered outside of Public Relations. At least 6 credits must be at the 300-400 level. A list of departments or courses that count in each of the thematic areas is available in the CCAS Academic and Student Affairs Office.
   e.	Public Relations Field Experience
   	Each student must complete 250 hours of professional public relations internship or research experience under faculty supervision. Hours may be accumulated through public relations internships, public relations research or a combination. Experiences must have the prior approval of the Public Relations Internship Coordinator and require a concluding report from the employer and the student, and may be taken as an elective class. Internships taken for credit cannot be counted toward the Cognate described in 2.d.