Public Relations (B.A./B.S.)

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing a public relations major will be equipped to:

• Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
• Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
• Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
• Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
• Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
• Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.

Academic Requirements

Public Relations majors must have a GPA of 2.5 in required courses for the major, and must have grades of “C” or better in all major requirements. Students can not pursue a double major in any combination of Advertising, Journalism, or Public Relations. Students may pursue minors within the School of Communication and Journalism.

Equipment and Supplies

Public Relations majors must have a laptop and appropriate software to successfully complete the coursework and be adequately prepared for their professional careers. Apple Macs are the dominant choice in the industry. Necessary software includes Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Word-compatible word processing software, as well as presentation and spreadsheet software, such as PowerPoint and Excel.

Requirements for Public Relations Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

• Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6  
• Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3  
• Goal #3 Social Sciences:  ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3  and SGR #3 Elective Credits: 3  
• Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6  
• Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3  
• Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6  

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

• One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
• Capstone course in the major discipline
• Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 6+

• Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+ 

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 10+

• Natural Sciences  Credits: 10+
  • Any two lab sciences.
  • Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
  • MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Major Requirements

• MCOM 119 - First-Year Seminar in Communication and Journalism Credits: 2
• MCOM 210 - Basic Media Writing (COM) Credits: 3
• MCOM 220 - Introduction to Digital Media (COM) Credits: 3
• MCOM 270 - Data Analysis in Communication Credits: 3
• MCOM 331 - Video Production (COM) Credits: 3
• MCOM 394 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (3 credits required)

• or MCOM 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12  (3 credits required)

• MCOM 416 - Mass Media in Society Credits: 3

• or ADV 476 - Global and Multicultural Advertising Credits: 3  
  or CMST 470 - Intercultural Communication (COM) Credits: 3  

• MCOM 430 - Media Law (COM) Credits: 3
• PUBR 243 - Public Relations Principles (COM) Credits: 3
• PUBR 345 - Public Relations Writing Credits: 3
• PUBR 411 - Media Analytics Credits: 3
• PUBR 442 - Integrated Marketing Communication and Campaigns (COM) Credits: 3 (Capstone)

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Notes

• ADV 442 and PUBR 442 are equivalent courses in this major. Students must only take one of these courses in their program of study.
• ADV 472 and PUBR 472 are equivalent courses in this major. Students must only take one of these courses in their program of study.

Summary of Program Requirements

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements, Supporting Coursework, and College Requirements.
**System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
***Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

• Public Relations (B.A.)
• Public Relations (B.S.)