Public Relations Emphasis

Public relations is a challenging, competitive career. It demands a high degree of communication expertise and a variety of skills. Students are taught the skills they need and provided an explanation of the complexity and rigor necessary to be good public relations professionals.

Career Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the number of public relations jobs will increase faster than the average for all occupations well into the 21st century. With the growing opportunity for public relations jobs in all segments of society, graduates find positions in:

• non-profit organizations
• media sales
• governmental agencies
• the service industry (hospitals, chambers of commerce)
• corporate America

The wide range of career opportunities provides graduates with flexibility in locating employment throughout the country in a variety of interesting occupations.

Our Program
The Commission on Undergraduate Public Relations Education has established national standards for Public Relations education. Pittsburg State University's program offers courses that exceed those national standards.

Like our other sequences, the public relations program provides students the theoretical and skill-based education necessary to succeed in the field. That interdisciplinary approach enables students to develop expertise in many areas while learning to apply those skills for effective communication. Students have the opportunity for practical experience through student organizations (public relations/advertising club), internships and directed practicum with faculty. Students in the public relations sequence are advised to enroll in:

Requirements
COMM 277: Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 576: Writing for Public Relations
COMM 717: Quantitative Methods

Applied Communication (2 courses from)
COMM 225: Reporting
COMM 274: Introduction to Audio/Video
COMM 276: Photojournalism
COMM 330: Advertising Copywriting
COMM 537: Integrated Electronic Comm.

Communication Management (1 course from)
COMM 674: Media Buying & Selling
COMM 755: Organizational Communication
COMM 765: Strategic Planning in P.R.

Communication & Society (1 course from)
COMM 730: Interpersonal Communication
COMM 775: Case studies in Public Relations

Communication Practices
COMM 790: Internship in Applied Comm.

Free Elective: Consult with advisor

Course Descriptions for a synopsis of each course.