Public Relations Degree
The public relations program provides practical, real-world training and experience in the planning and implementation of comprehensive public relations strategies and tactics. Specific technical skills are mastered through a well-sequenced core set of courses that provide each graduate with a portfolio of work, professional experience and significant interaction with real clients and brands.
Positions in the field of public relations include social media manager; communications director; newsletter editor; special events coordinator; publicity director; speech writer; crisis management consultant; media relations manager; researcher and public relations director for corporations, education, government and nonprofit organizations. PR is a growing, values-driven industry with high standards of excellence, integrity, ethics and accountability.
Students majoring in public relations may earn a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students need a minimum of 120 semester hours, another major or minor, and completion of the university studies requirement for the appropriate degree. ACEJMC requires that students take 72 hours outside the department and no more than six hours of credit for internships/co-ops within the major.
View 4 Year Curriculum Plan for Incoming Freshman
View 2 Year Curriculum Plan for KCTCS Transfer Students
Public Relations Degree Curriculum
Required Courses (32 hours):
-
JMC 100T Transitions
-
JMC 168 Contemporary Mass Media
-
JMC 194 Newswriting
-
JMC 270 Basic Audio/Video Production
-
JMC 330 Mass Media Effects
-
JMC 391 Public Relations Principles
-
JMC 412 Writing for Public Relations
-
JMC 440 Research Methods for Public Relations
-
JMC 444 Public Relations Strategies
-
JMC 491 Advanced Public Relations
-
JMC 499 Senior Seminar
-
JMC 590 Mass Communication Law
Co-Requirements (6 hours):
-
CSC 125 Internet and Web Design
-
GCM 153 Electronic Imaging
Required Limited Electives (3 hours from the following):
-
BUS 140 Foundations of Business
-
GCM 250 Principles of Photography and Photojournalism
-
JMC 305 Copyediting
-
JMC 322 Mass Media Study Abroad
-
JMC 336 Script Writing
-
JMC 384 Sports Media
-
JMC 385 Directed Individual Study
-
JMC 394 Introduction to Advertising
-
JMC 396 Publication Design
-
JMC 397 Reporting for Print Media
-
JMC 398 Reporting for Broadcast and Online Media
-
JMC 400 International Mass Communications
-
JMC 492 Feature Writing
-
JMC 586 Special Topics
-
JMC 596 Internship
-
MGT 350 Fundamentals of Management
-
MKT 360 Principles of Marketing
Required Minor (21-24 hours)
Unrestricted Electives (11-20 hours)
Total Curriculum Requirements (120 hours)