Public Relations and Strategic Communication, BS (43-684) (120 hours)

Major, Bachelor of Science Degree

A Public Relations and Strategic Communication Bachelor of Science degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours and a four-semester minimum sequence of courses. A minor is not required but is encouraged. An Industry Practices concentration is also elective.

Mission Statement

To provide students with a world-class education, through a small-college learning environment, in Public Relations and Strategic Communication.

Program Outcomes

The graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communication will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

• Demonstrate Public Relations driven knowledge and understanding.
• Demonstrate written, oral and visual communication knowledge and application proficiency for Public Relations purposes.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making proficiency relevant to Public Relations purposes.
• Demonstrate research knowledge and application proficiency for Public Relations purposes.
• Demonstrate strategic planning knowledge and application proficiency for Public Relations purposes.
• Demonstrate preparedness for professional life and/or further academic study.

Program Policies

At the time of first admission to UCM, a student should indicate/declare the intent to become a Public Relations and Strategic Communication major. Each declared major is encouraged to visit a success advisor in the Success Advising Center (UN 128, also check MyCentral for link to your advisor’s appointment calendar).  In addition, the student can also visit with Public Relations and Strategic Communication faculty in Dockery 200, PR Suite, 660-543-4246.

The following prerequisites are required for enrollment in PR 4685  and PR 4690 : (1) completion of general education courses ENGL 1020  and (ENGL 1030  or ENGL 1080  or CTE 2060 ), and MKT 1401  or COMM 1000  or COMM 1050  with a grade no lower than a C; and (2) completion of major-specific courses PR 2620 , PR 3610  and PR 3620 , with no grade lower than a C and a 2.33 grade-point average or better.

The Public Relations and Strategic Communication faculty encourage all students to meet with an advisor each semester before enrolling.

Graduation Policies

1. Course substitutions for program requirements may be made only by the Public Relations and Strategic Communication program advisor and school chair.
2. A student must earn a grade no lower than a C in the following courses in order to graduate with a Public Relations degree: MKT 1401  or COMM 1000  or COMM 1050 ; ENGL 1020  and (ENGL 1030  or ENGL 1080  or CTE 2060 ); PR 1600 , PR 2620 , PR 3605 , PR 3610  and PR 3620 .
3. Only six semester hours of coursework with a D can be counted toward the Public Relations and Strategic Communication major. Any D credits to be counted must be approved by the Public Relations and Strategic Communication program faculty advisor.
4. To graduate with a Public Relations and Strategic Communication degree, a student must obtain at least a 2.25 grade-point average for all credit hours completed at UCM or elsewhere and a 2.25 grade-point average for all course work in the major.
5. PR 4600  may be repeated for up to nine hours. Three hours of PR 4605  are required; three additional hours of PR 4605  are elective. PR 4625  may be repeated up to nine hours with proper approval. PR 4627  may be repeated up to nine hours with proper approval.
6. Public Relations and Strategic Communication majors are not required to complete a concentration or minor. They are, however, encouraged to complete the Public Relations-specific Industry Practices concentration or any minor of their choosing. The Industry Practices concentration and minors can be declared when visiting the Success Advising Center.

Public Relations and Strategic Communication, BS (43-684) (4 Year Guide)