Public Relations

Major Description:

The public relations major prepares students to work in one of the fastest-growing areas of the communication field. Public relations professionals help organizations build and maintain good reputations and communicate effectively with employees, the media, community groups, and others important to their missions. Graduates gain skills in writing, digital media, social media, research, strategic planning, and media relations.
The program helps students build a professional portfolio through hands-on writing experiences and work with real clients. In this practical approach, students apply classroom knowledge in real-life situations, practice strategic problem-solving skills, and collaborate with other majors in a multi-disciplinary team creating communication materials for actual clients.

Required Courses

	Course #		Credit Hours	Course Name
____	BUSI	120	3	Introduction to Marketing
____	BUSI	345	3	Marketing Research
____	COMM	150	3	Interpersonal Communication
____	COMM	175	3	Media Writing
____	COMM	185	3	Principles and Practices of Public Relations
____	COMM	251	3	Advertising
____	COMM	271	4	Video Production I
____	COMM	340	3	Non-Profit and Corporate PR Case Studies
____	COMM	350	3	Social Media
____	COMM	355	3	Mass Communication Law & Ethics
____	COMM	490	1	PR/Communication Campaigns
____	COMM	495	3	Internship
____	JOUR	200	3	Introduction to Journalism
PLUS Three credits from the following:
____	JOUR	160	1	Journalism Practicum (on Battler Columns staff)
____	JOUR	165	1	Advanced Journalism Practicum** (on Battler Columns staff)
____	ENGL	245	1	Practicum in Grant Writing**

** May be repeated for credit

NOTE: ***Students who wish to major in Public Relations are also strongly encouraged to pick up a minor in another field to round out their PR education. Any minor would do, but common ones for PR minors might be Journalism, Video and Radio, Art, or Business. In addition, Introduction to Management (BUSI-160) and Human Resource Management (BUSI-235) are strongly recommended, but not required, courses.
Foreign language: Four semesters of one modern foreign language are required. (See policy on placement in courses)
Liberal studies program: As outlined on the appropriate Liberal Studies Check Sheet with the following exceptions:

- *ENGL-260 Technical Writing should be taken to fulfill Goal 1-A.2
- *ART-135 Introduction to Digital Photography should be taken to fulfill Goal II-F
- *COMM-130 Introduction to Public Speaking should be taken to fulfill Goal 1-A.3

Among requirements for graduation, the student must have a grade point average of 2.00 or higher in the major and have 120 college-level credit hours.

Career Opportunities

Graduates find careers in public relations with agencies, corporations, or in the non-profit sector. The PR program also prepares students to work in related fields as social media managers, or careers in advertising and marketing.

Wondering what all you can do with a degree from AB’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences? Contact the Office of Career Services for ideas and academic planning.

Internship Opportunities

Opportunities for Involvement

PR majors may also take advantage of our related communication programs by earning a double or triple major in journalism and professional writing, mass communication, or integrated marketing communication.

You will have many opportunities for involvement in experiences and memberships that will help you develop as a well-rounded individual, making you very attractive to future employers. These opportunities include:

Digital Edge, a multi-disciplinary communication club
The Battler Columns, the student-run newspaper

For more information, contact us:

Kim Wilkie

Assistant Professor of Speech and Writing

Kim Wilkie

Assistant Professor of Speech and Writing

wilkiekd@ab.edu

(304) 457-6294

	Class of 2018	Class of 2019	Class of 2020
Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA)	36	36	36
Entering class size	36	36	36
Graduates	34	28	34
* Attrition rate	5.5%	22.2%	5.5%
**Graduation rate	94.4%	77.7%	94.4%
Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size. *Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.

	DIDACTIC PHASE				CLINICAL PHASE			YEARLY TOTALS
	Year 1 Summer	Year 1 Fall	Year 1 Spring	Year 2 Summer	Year 2 Fall	Year 2 Spring	Year 3 Summer	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total
Tuition	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$29,000	$43,500	$43,500	$29,000	$116,000
Fees	$200	$305	$305	$330	$205	$205	$550	$810	$740	$550	$2,100
Books	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$0	$0	$0	$3,000	$1,000	$0	$4,000
Supplies	$0	$0	$0	$500	$0	$0	$1,000	$0	$500	$1,000	$1,500
Other Supplies	$0	$0	$0	$0	$800	$967	$0	$0	$1,767	$0	$1,767
Room	$4,050	$4,198	$4,198	$4,198	$5,165	$5,165	$10,330	$12,446	$14,528	$10,330	$37,304
Board	$2,100	$2,100	$2,100	$2,500	$2,500	$2,500	$5,000	$6,300	$7,500	$5,000	$18,800
Transportation	$855	$855	$855	$2,133	$2,133	$2,133	$4,266	$2,565	$6,399	$4,266	$13,230
Personal Expenses	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$5,018	$7,527	$7,527	$5,018	$20,072
Certification Exam	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$850	$0	$0	$850	$850
Loan Fees	$68	$68	$68	$68	$68	$68	$136	$204	$204	$136	$544
Health Insurance	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$4,882	$7,323	$7,323	$4,882	$19,528
TOTAL								$83,675	$90,988	$61,032	$235,695

Public Relations