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Advertising and Public Relations BS
Program overview
The fields of advertising and public relations are rapidly changing now that the Internet and mobile devices (such as smart phones and tablets) have influenced the way professionals create messages. Unique opportunities and exciting challenges lie ahead in the advertising and public relations field. The major is one of the few in the country to combine advertising, public relations, and marketing to address the overlapping roles of communication professionals.
Students are prepared to create persuasive messages for a variety of traditional and emerging media platforms. They learn to analyze audiences, write copy, select media, and manage campaigns. The major also features a senior thesis and one block of work experience gained through an internship and/or cooperative education.
Curriculum
Students develop skills through a core of required communication courses, which cover communication theory, visual communication, public relations, advertising, writing, campaign planning and management, media planning, public speaking, and digital design. A professional core of four marketing courses, chosen by the student, provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of marketing. Electives and liberal arts courses complete the curriculum.
Advertising and public relations, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| COMM-212 | Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM-201 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 1, 2, 3, 5 | 12 | |
| LAS Foundation 1: First Year Seminar† | 3 | |
| COMM-211 | Principles of Advertising | 3 |
| COMM-223 | Digital Design in Communication | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 2: First Year Writing | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| COMM-202 | Mass Communications | 3 |
| COMM-221 | Public Relations Writing (WI) | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 4, 6 | 6 | |
| LAS Electives | 9 | |
| COMM-304 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Communication Elective | 3 | |
| STAT-145 | LAS Perspective 7A: Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Third Year | ||
| MKTG-363 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| COMM-321 | Copywriting and Visualization | 3 |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2, 3 | 9 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| COMM-322 | Campaign Management and Planning | 3 |
| Professional Core Course | 3 | |
| COMM-301 | Theories of Communication | 3 |
| COMM-499 | Cooperative Education | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| COMM-401 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| COMM-402 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Professional Core Courses | 6 | |
| LAS Electives | 9 | |
| COMM-421 | Media Planning | 3 |
| COMM-501 | Senior Thesis in Communication | 3 |
| COMM-497 | Communication Portfolio | 0 |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two Wellness courses.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two Wellness courses.
† The First Year Seminar requirement is replaced by an LAS Elective for the 2013-14 academic year.
Senior thesis
Students conduct original research on a subject of their choosing. Two faculty members advise students on how to investigate their topic, select a research method, implement the project, and present their findings. Students often present their research at conferences.
Cooperative education
Students are required to complete one block of internship experience or cooperative education, giving students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning to a professional work environment. There are many opportunities, including positions with advertising agencies and public relations firms as well as businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services will assist students in identifying and applying to internship or co-op positions.
Additional information
Advisers
Every student is assigned a professional academic adviser and a faculty mentor in the department of communication. The professional adviser assists with course planning and registration; the faculty mentor provides advising about career development and planning, including information about research opportunities, graduate school, and jobs. Peer mentors, who are upper-level advertising and public relations students, are also available to answer questions about classes, clubs on campus, student-run activities, and other matters from the student’s perspective.
Faculty
Nearly all of the department’s 18 faculty members hold the highest degrees in their fields. Many have won awards for teaching, and all have been published within their areas of expertise.
Careers
Upon graduation, students are well-qualified for positions in business, government, and the not-for-profit sectors. The major also prepares students to pursue graduate studies in a variety of fields. The department of communication offers an MS degree in communication and media technologies. Visit the program website or refer to the Graduate Bulletin for more information.
Accelerated 4+1 MBA option
An accelerated 4+1 MBA option is available for students who wish to earn a BS in advertising and public relations and an MBA. The program is offered in conjunction with Saunders College of Business and allows students to obtain both degrees in five years of study.