Public Relations
The Public Relations Major
The public relations major provides students with the concepts, skills, and expertise needed to help organizations build mutually beneficial relationships with diverse publics. The knowledge and tools students develop through the P R curriculum ensure they can enter any field from corporate communication to government affairs to a public relations firm. The professional internship experience coupled with coursework that focuses heavily on writing, research, and strategic planning provides opportunities for students to practice and refine their skills.
To receive a bachelor of science degree in public relations, a student must earn at least 120 credits. A minimum of 72 credits must come from courses other than ADVRT, P R, or JL MC. At least 50 of these credits must come from the liberal arts and sciences. Overall, at least 45 credits must be from 300-level or above. Public relations majors are required to take:
| STAT 101 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
The degree requirements allow for a minimum of 34 credits and a maximum of 48 credits to be taken in ADVRT, P R, and JL MC. These include:
| JL MC 101 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JL MC 110 | Orientation to Journalism and Communication | 1 |
| P R 220 | Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| JL MC 201 | Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media | 3 |
| P R 301 | Research and Strategic Planning for Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
| P R 321 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| P R 424 | Public Relations Campaigns | 3 |
| JL MC 460 | Law of Mass Communication | 3 |
| P R 499 | Professional Media Internship | 3 |
Additional recommended courses and requirements for the public relations major are available from the Greenlee School.
Students taking one major at the school may not seek a second major or a minor in the school. All students are required to take a second major or minor outside the school as an area of expertise. A Designated Area of Concentration (DAC) outside the school may be used in place of a minor or second major with faculty approval.
The Greenlee School offers a minor in advertising and a minor in journalism and mass communication. Journalism and mass communication or public relations majors may not minor in advertising, and advertising and public relations majors may not minor in journalism and mass communication.
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
P R 220. Principles of Public Relations.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Introduction to public relations in business, government and non-profit organizations; functions, processes, and management; ethics, public opinion and theory.
P R 301. Research and Strategic Planning for Advertising and Public Relations.
(Cross-listed with ADVRT). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Prereq: ADVRT 230 or P R 220; Sophomore classification
The use of primary and secondary research for situations, organizations and the public. Formation and development of strategic plans for public relations and advertising students.
P R 305. Publicity Methods.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Prereq: ENGL 250, Sophomore classification
Communication and publicity fundamentals and the use of media for publicity purposes. Not available to Greenlee School majors.
P R 321. Public Relations Writing.
(2-3) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Prereq: Minimum of C+ in JL MC 201; ADVRT/P R 301. Recommended: JL MC 242 and JL MC 316 or computer design proficiency.
Developing and writing public relations materials with an emphasis on media relations and news. Techniques addressed include media kits, brochures, newsletters and speeches.
P R 390. Professional Skills Development.
(Cross-listed with ADVRT, JL MC). Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. F.S.
Prereq: Minimum of C+ in JL MC 201; other vary by topic. Instructor permission for non-majors.
Check with Greenlee School for course availability.
P R 424. Public Relations Campaigns.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Prereq: Minimum of C+ in P R 321; junior classification.
Developing public relations and public information campaigns for business and social institutions.
P R 490. Independent Study in Communication.
Cr. arr.
Prereq: Junior classification and contract with supervising professor to register.
Independent studies are research-based. Students may study problems associated with a medium, a professional specialization, a philosophical or practical concern, a reportorial method or writing technique, or a special topic in their field. Credit is not given for working on student or professional media without an accompanying research component.
P R 497. Special Topics in Communication.
(Cross-listed with ADVRT, JL MC). Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. F.S.
Seminars or one-time classes on topics of relevance to students in communication.
P R 499. Professional Media Internship.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. F.S.SS.
Prereq: JL MC majors: minimum of C+ in JL MC 202 or JL MC 206 or P R 321; ADVRT majors: minimum of C+ in JL MC 201 and ADVRT 301; P R majors: minimum of C+ in P R 321. All students, junior classification, formal faculty adviser approval.
Required of all Greenlee School majors. A 400-hour (for 3 credits) internship in the student's journalism and mass communication or advertising or public relations specialization. Assessment based on employer evaluations, student reports and faculty reviews. Available only to Greenlee School majors.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
