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.

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.

In addition to the departmental degree requirements, a minimum of 50 hours in the University Core Curriculum must be met.

Click here for additional regulations for majors in the Department of Communications including the required 6 hours of Communications cognates--gender & ethnic cultures....

Required Public Relations and Advertising Core ~ 13 hours

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

Required Communications Cognates ~ 6 hours

Click here for a list of Communications cognates--gender & ethnic cultures....

Elective Public Relations and Advertising major courses
Public Relations emphasis, 9 hours; Advertising emphasis, 9 hours
At Least One of the Directed Electives must be from ADV 347, JRN 281, or RTV 354

• ADV 342-Advertising Design
• ADV 343-Media Planning
• ADV 346-Special Events and Promotions, 3 hrs.
• ADV 347-Advertising Copywriting, 3 hrs.
• ADV 400 or PRL 400-Independent Study, 1-3 hrs.
• ADV 440-Advanced Advertising Campaigns
• ADV 441 or PRL 461-Seminar in Integrated Marketing Communication, 3 hrs.
• ADV 498 or PRL 498-Internship, 3 hrs.
• ADV 499 or PRL 499-Special Topics, 3 hrs.
• COMM 190-Computer Basics, 1 hr. (X3)
• COMM 192-Introduction to Mass Communication, 3 hrs. /or/
   RTV 151-Introduction to Broadcasting, Cable and Internet, 3 hrs.
• COMM 477-Comparative Structures of Mass Media in a Global Community, 3 hrs.
• JRN 281-Basic Reporting, 3 hrs.
• JRN 374-Internet Communications 3 hrs.
• JRN 384-Feature Writing, 3 hrs.
• PRL 364-Publications Design, 3 hrs.
• PRL 366-Seminar in Public Relations, 3 hrs.
• PRL 465-Institutional Advancement, 3 hrs.
• PRL 466-Seminar in Public Opinion, 3 hrs.
• PRL 467-Crisis Communications, 3 hrs.
• RTV 255-Media Production, 3 hrs.
• RTV 354-Writing for Electronic Media, 3 hrs.
• RTV 452-Broadcast/Cable Sales, 3 hrs.

Follow the hyperlinks for prerequisites

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Degree Selections:

• Major in Public Relations and Advertising (B.A. or B.S.)
  • Public Relations Emphasis
  • Advertising Emphasis
• Minor

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Public Relations Emphasis

(Effective Fall 2011)
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 courses ~ 40 hours:

• Public Relations and Advertising Core, 13 hrs.
• Communications Diversity Cognates, 6 hrs.
• PRL 362-Writing for Public Relations, 3 hrs.
• PRL 365-Public Relations Administration, 3 hrs.
• PRL 368-Strategic Writing, 3 hrs.
• PRL 468-Public Relations Campaigns, 3 hrs.
• Electives, 9 hrs.

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Advertising Emphasis

The advertising emphasis prepares students for one of the fastest-growing fields in communications. Students acquire the essential skills of writing, design, advertising graphics, research, market analysis, media planning, promotions, integrated marketing campaigns, and communications theory. In addition to required courses, students may choose from a variety of directed communications electives to enhance their career objectives.

Required courses – 40 hours:

• Public Relations and Advertising Core, 13 hrs.
• Communications Diversity Cognates, 6 hrs.
• ADV 335-Advertising Strategy, 3 hrs.
• ADV 343-Media Planning, 3 hrs.
• ADV 444-Strategic Campaigns, 3 hrs. /or/
  ADV 441-Seminar in Integrated Marketing Communication, 3 hrs.
• ADV 446-Seminar in Advertising, 3 hrs.
  
• Electives, 9 hrs.

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Minor - Public Relations and Advertising

24 semester hours

Required courses ~ 12 hours:

• ADV 101-Introduction to Advertising, 3 hrs.
• PRL 101-Introduction to Public Relations, 3 hrs.
• COMM 494-Mass Communication Law and Ethics, 3 hrs.
• COMM 495-Mass Communication Research, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 12 hours:

(Nine hours must be 300-400 level as directed by a public relations or advertising advisor.  Nine of the hours must be in advertising or public relations.)