Public Relations, BS

Contact

Hua Jiang, Interim Chair
318 Newhouse 3, 315-443-9347

Faculty

Anthony D’Angelo, Kelly Gaggin, SooYeon Hong, Brad Horn, Hua Jiang, Dennis F. Kinsey, Joon Soo Lim, Regina Luttrell, Steven Pike

Public relations is the management of communication between an organization and its publics. The public relations program provides students with instruction in the principles, processes, skills, and management of public relations programs designed to attain or maintain inter-organizational or social accord. Students learn the basic skills of writing, graphic design, and oral presentation, as well as the managerial functions of planning, research, campaign development, and evaluation. The program prepares students with a solid ethical foundation, an understanding of diversity and multiculturalism, and an understanding of the use of social media for strategic engagement with an organization’s publics. Emphasis on digital communication, social media analytics, and multimedia storytelling is woven throughout the curriculum. This is a 42-credit major. Students majoring in Public Relations must take the following requirements, and they are encouraged to take internships and other specialized courses as electives.

Student Learning Outcomes in Public Relations

In addition to the comprehensive Newhouse School learning outcomes listed in the School’s Educational Mission students in the Public Relations major are expected to achieve the following additional learning outcome:

Apply an understanding of management principles related to public relations.

Major Requirements

Required Courses (36 credits)

Newhouse Electives (3 credits)

Public Relations majors required to take three credits of coursework. This can be any combination of Newhouse coursework that equals three credits.

Capstone Requirement (3 credits)

This course includes a requirement to complete an ePortfolio to help with career development and assessment:

PRL 425 - Public Relations Cases & Campaigns

Grammar Competency Requirement

Students must complete a grammar competency as part of their degree requirements. There will be two ways students can satisfy this competency:

First, by passing a grammar competency exam during their first semester on campus. The exam will be given twice - once before the end of the first week of classes and a second time prior to registration the next semester. A passing grade on the exam will fulfill the competency requirement.
Secondly, by passing COM 101, a 0-credit grammar course which will be mandatory for students who fail the grammar competency exam. This course can be repeated until a passing grade is earned and the competency is met.

Students must meet the grammar competency to receive a degree.

Global Experience Requirement

The Global Experience requirement may be fulfilled by studying abroad or taking an approved class. A list of courses that fulfill this requirement can be found in the Newhouse Guide Book. If a student chooses to take a Newhouse class to fulfill this requirement, the additional Newhouse hours will be added to the 122 credits needed for graduation if the student has reached the Newhouse credit maximum.