Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mass Communications, Public Relations
Public Relations engages students in courses that build knowledge and skills in today's multicultural domestic and global public relations industry. Students learn the importance of and processes behind building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and target publics through effective interactive communication. Students also gain hands-on experience in media relations, community relations, and employee relations through bluestone-Public Relations Firm and experiential and service learning projects for private, nonprofit, corporate, and public sector clients.
Important Links:
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program map, which provides a guide for students to plan their course of study, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
Public relations students, building upon a foundation in mass communications and ethics, progress through a robust curriculum that helps them master the essential skills necessary to be successful in a technologically connected and global communications environment.
Through experiential learning, students are engaged in courses that enhance communication and mutually-beneficial relationship building, writing and presentation skills, understanding of public relations and media in business practice, and use technological advances that aid in effective communication in today's multicultural domestic and global public relations industry. Students learn the importance of processes behind public relations planning and situation analysis, strategy development, and the application of interactive communication. Students also gain hands-on experience in media relations, community relations, crisis planning and management, employee relations and public relations campaign development and key message strategy through classroom instruction and bluestone-Public Relations Firm. bluestone provides opportunity for engaging students in service learning projects for private, nonprofit, corporate, and public sector clients.
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Public-Relations
External Resource
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
Face to Face
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 120
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Coursework for majors with a concentration in Public Relations are listed below. More information may also be found at Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications or your Undergraduate Catalog.
Downloads
General
These courses are required for all Mass Communications majors. In addition to the General courses below, 6 hours of Foreign Language (1000 or 2000 level) and 3 hours of a Humanities or a Social Science elective must be completed (18 total hours):
A study of the principles and practice of public speaking with an emphasis on the organization of material and the vocal and physical aspects of delivery in various public speaking situations.
An introductory, yet critical examination of the historical development, and paramount economic, legal/policy, ethical, political, and social effects issues concerned with mass media, i.e., books, newspapers, magazines, recordings, radio, movies, television, the internet, public relations, and advertising. Particular attention given to competition, convergence, and mass media's impact on society, as well as society's impact on mass media.
Examination of the major classical and contemporary ethical philosophies. Application of ethical decision-making models to media issues, particularly freedom of speech, economic pressure, invasion of privacy, and the public's rights.
Major Required
These courses are required for Mass Communication majors with a concentration in Public Relations (24 total hours):
Students will learn what journalists do, how they do it, and how to do it themselves. The course investigates procedural, legal and ethical ramifications of newsgathering, introducing feature style methods and instructing students how to write news briefs and inverted pyramid stories for publication using AP style.
A survey of the role, responsibilities, and potential of modern public relations. Includes development of basic techniques needed for effective public relations programs.
Analysis of public relations cases and situations. Includes analysis of application of principles, processes, and theories of public relations to case management.
Public Relations Management provides students insights regarding key concepts, theoretical perspectives, essential skills and abilities, and critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary for effective communication within an organization and with its stakeholders. Topics include issues management, risk management, relationship management, crisis planning and preparation, case studies, and developing communication plans.
Practical experience with the student-managed public relations firm that primarily includes hands-on experience through service learning and experiential learning projects for private, nonprofit, and public sector clients. Emphasis is placed on strategic planning, research, data analysis, campaign development, copywriting, promotional design, and use of social media across traditional and digital media platforms. Repeatable; Maximum of 3.0 credit hours may be applied to the Mass Communications major.
This public relations capstone course applies knowledge and skills learned in previous public relations courses in the planning, execution, and evaluation of a client campaign. Provides students the opportunity to gain a positive client evaluation and a quality product to use in their portfolios.
A study and application of principles and techniques for writing across traditional and emerging digital media platforms. Emphasis on informational and persuasive writing for public relations.
Examination of the legal context regulating print, telecommunication and electronic media as well as advertising and public relations industries. Emphasis on libel, slander, privacy, copyright, free press/fair trial and obscenity law. This course is restricted to Seniors.
A survey of qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis and reporting procedures, including opportunities to conduct, analyze, evaluate, interpret, and communicate research.
Major Selects
In addition to the above, Mass Communication majors with a concentration in Public Relations should select among the following recommended COMM electives (12 total hours):
Basic editing and makeup procedures for newspapers and other print publications. Includes copy editing, headline writing, page makeup, and basic graphic principles.
This course is an introduction to radio and audio technology as well as radio program and audio production techniques through lecture and laboratory experiences. Students will learn how to operate basic radio and audio equipment and develop basic radio and audio production skills by producing several projects.
Instruction in the operation of television studio and digital video technology and introduction to the production of television and digital video messages. Emphasis on electronic newsgathering, television studio production, and digital video editing techniques.
An introduction to the foundations, applications, and techniques of digital social media. Opportunities for practical experience developing blogs and other social media content, and exploring the relation of these emerging technologies to traditional mass communication media within society.
Survey and critical analysis of scholarship concerned with the relationship between mass media, public relations, and selected populaces who have been given peripheral attention, i.e., minorities, women, lower socioeconomic class, and those who are aging or have physical disabilities. Emphasis on the cultural impact of media and public relations in terms of representations, audience effects, and industry demographics, as well as media literacy and advocacy.
Application and analysis of feature writing techniques for arts and entertainment coverage, sports coverage, personality profiles, reviews and long-form journalism with an emphasis on AP style.
Practical experience with the student-managed public relations firm that primarily includes hands-on experience through service learning and experiential learning projects for private, nonprofit, and public sector clients. Emphasis is placed on strategic planning, research, data analysis, campaign development, copywriting, promotional design, and use of social media across traditional and digital media platforms. Repeatable; Maximum of 3.0 credit hours may be applied to the Mass Communications major.
A hands-on, supervised, media field experience to apply and test knowledge and skills, and to network with professionals. Internship must be approved by internship coordinator. To be approved, internship must offer experiential learning in Digital Media & Entertainment, Film & Video Production, Journalism, and/or Public Relations; require majors to intern 45 hours for each credit hour enrolled or 135 hours if enrolled 3 credit hours; assign interns an immediate supervisor who has academic credentials and/or professional experience in the discipline. Additional Prerequisites: Major; Junior or Senior; minimum of nine credit hours of COMM 3000-4000 level courses and Major GPA of 2.5 or above and Permission of Instructor required.
LeQuinta (Taylor) Bryant
Clinical Associate Professor
Hazel Cole
Associate Professor & Public Relations Head
Kelly Williams
Clinical Associate Professor
Guidelines for Admittance
Each UWG degree program has specific requirements that you must meet in order to enroll.
- Complete online application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended. Official transcripts are sent from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
- Verify specific requirements associated with specific populations identified here: Freshman Adult Learners Transfer International Home School Joint / Dual Enrollment Transient Auditor Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree Seeking Readmission
Admission Process Checklist
- Review Admission Requirements for the different programs and guides for specific populations (non-traditional, transfer, transient, home school, joint enrollment students, etc).
- Review important deadlines:
- Fall semester: June 1 (undergrads)
- Spring semester: November 15 (undergrads)
- Summer semester: May 15 (undergrads)
See program specific calendars here
- Complete online application
Undergraduate Admissions Guide
Undergraduate Application
Undergraduate International Application - Submit $40 non-refundable application fee
- Submit official documents
Request all official transcripts and test scores be sent directly to UWG from all colleges or universities attended. If a transcript is mailed to you, it cannot be treated as official if it has been opened. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.
Undergraduate & Graduate Applicants should send all official transcripts to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Murphy Building
University of West Georgia
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118-4160 - Submit a Certificate of Immunization, if required. If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
- Check the status of your application
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications requires that graduates of accredited programs be aware of certain core values and competencies and be able to:
- apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located;
- demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
- demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
- present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
- write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
- demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
- apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
- effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
- critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
- apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.