The B.F.A. with a major in Public Relations prepares students to enter a demanding field where professionals routinely use critical thinking, analysis, decision-making, writing, communication design, strategic planning, project management, presentation skills, and technology. Public Relations professionals must be responsive to multiple and often competing demands in complex and diverse organizational environments.

The program in Public Relations allows graduates to work in a variety of fields, especially medical/health communication, nonprofit, corporate, and other contexts. Graduates with a B.F.A. with a major in Public Relations can seamlessly move from the academic to the organizational environment.

The B.F.A. with a major in Public Relations is certified by the Public Relations Society of America. 

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Recommended four-year curriculum plan

Course Rotation


University Core (Areas A to E) .............................................................................. 42 hours

Core Curriculum Area F............................................................................................ 18 hours

COMM 1110 Public Speaking (3-0-3)
COMM 1500 Introduction to Communication Studies (3-0-3)
COMM 1800 Communication Technology (2-2-3)
COMM 2100 Communication Theory (3-0-3)
COMM 2500 Communication, Society, and Culture (3-0-3)
PREL 2000 Introduction to Public Relations (3-0-3)

Communication Core ................................................................................................ 18 hours

COMM 2300 Interpersonal Communication (3-0-3)
COMM 3031 Communication Law and Ethics (3-0-3)
COMM 3111 Applied Communication Research (3-0-3)
COMM 3311 Teams and Leadership (2-2-3)
COMM 4111 Data Analytics (3-0-3)
JOUR 3510 News Writing (3-0-3) 

Public Relations................................................................................................ 24 hours

PREL 3210 Strategic Design for Public Relations (1-4-3)
PREL 3220 Strategic Writing for Public Relations (2-2-3)
PREL 3230 Public Relations Case Studies (3-0-3)
PREL 3240 Strategic Design for Digital Media (1-4-3)
PREL 4200 Public Relations Research (3-0-3)
PREL 4220 Integrated Communication (3-0-3)
PREL 4230 Public Relations Capstone (3-0-3)

Choose one of the following

PREL 3250 Public Relations in Health Care (3-0-3)
COMM 3211 Event Planning (2-2-3)

Total Hours in Major................................................................................................... 60 hours

Elective Hours............................................................................................................. 18 hours

Total Hours in Program............................................................................................. 120 hours

GPA Requirements

Students who declare a major in Public Relations must earn a grade point average of 2.25 or better in all Area F courses. Any student who fails to earn a 2.25 in Area F courses will be notified of the deficiency and automatically switched to an undeclared major status.

Skills you will learn 

As a major in the Public Relations program you will:

  • develop strong written and verbal communication skills
  • develop excellent interpersonal skills
  • learn to think strategically and design messages for multiple audiences through multiple channels
  • develop superior team, leadership, project, and meeting management skills
  • develop the ability to work in a diverse world and manage conflict
  • develop technology skills necessary for success in the workplace
  • develop critical thinking and information literacy skills

Sample careers for Public Relations graduates

Employment opportunities for Public Relations graduates include:                     

  • Account Manager/Executive
  • Corporate Communications Manager
  • Public Affairs Officer
  • Public Opinion Researcher
  • Fundraising Manager
  • Publicity and Promotion Manager
  • Advertising Manager
  • Media Relations Specialist
  • Special Events Coordinator
  • Social Media Marketing Coordinator
  • Content Creator