B.S. Mass Communications Program Map
Public Relations Track
With Public Relations, students 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.
Stats
60
Core Credit Hours
45
Major Credit Hours
15
Elective Credit Hours
- Plan Your Degree
- Crush Your Course
- Find Your Place
- Broaden Your Perspectives
- Connect Off-Campus
- Take Care of Yourself
- Pave Your Path
Plan Your Degree
Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
A1: ENGL 1101
English Composition 1 |
3 |
|
B2: XIDS 2002
(Recommended) First-Year Seminar |
2 |
|
E1: HIST 1111 OR 1112
US History |
3 |
| C1: Fine Arts | 3 |
| D1: Science + Lab | 4 |
Milestone:
Complete ENGL 1101; required to earn a C or higher.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
A1: ENGL 1102
English Composition 2 |
3 |
|
A2: MATH 1401, 1001, OR 1111
Elementary Statistics, Quantitative Skills & Reasoning, or College Algebra |
3 |
|
F: COMM 1110
Public Speaking |
3 |
|
E2: HIST 2111 OR 2112
US History |
3 |
| D1: Non-Lab Science | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1102; Required to earn C or higher.
- Complete COMM 1110; Required to earn C or higher.
- Complete 30 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: COMM 1154
Introduction to Mass Communications |
3 |
|
F: Foreign Language
Foreign Language 1000-to-2000 level |
3 |
|
C2: Humanities
Any Option except COMM 1154 |
3 |
|
B1: Oral Communication
Any Option except COMM 1110 |
3 |
| D2: Math, Science, & Quantitative Technology | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete first foreign language requirement.
- Complete COMM 1154; Required to earn C or higher.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
E3: POLS 1101
American Government |
3 |
|
F: Foreign Language
Foreign Language 1000-to-2000 level |
3 |
|
F: COMM 2254
Media Ethics |
3 |
| E4: Social Science | 3 |
| F: Humanities or Social Science | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete second foreign language requirement.
- Complete COMM 2254; Required to earn C or higher.
- Complete 60 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 3301
Fundamentals of Newswriting |
3 |
|
COMM 3313
Public Relations Principles |
3 |
|
Elective
Must select COMM 3000-to-4000 level courses or courses from approved list |
3 |
| Minor | 6 |
Milestones:
- Complete COMM 3301.
- Complete COMM 3313.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 4414
Public Relations Management |
3 |
|
COMM 4451
Public Relations Writing |
3 |
|
COMM 4484
Mass Communications Research Methods |
3 |
|
Elective
Must select COMM 3000-to-4000 level course or course from approved list |
3 |
| Minor | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete COMM 4451 & COMM 4484.
- Complete 90 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 4413
Public Relations Cases |
3 |
|
COMM 4444
Public Relations Campaigns |
0/3 |
|
Elective(s)
Must select COMM 3000-4000 level courses or courses from approved list (COMM 4421P - Practicum: bluestone Public Relations Firm) |
3/6 |
| Minor | 6 |
Milestones:
- Complete COMM 4414.
- Complete all pre-requisites before taking capstone course (COMM 4444), pre-requisites are COMM 3313, COMM 4414, and COMM 4451.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 4454
Media Law |
3 |
|
COMM 4444
Public Relations Campaigns |
0/3 |
|
Electives
Must select COMM 3000-4000 level course(s) OR course(s) from approved list; Complete 6 credit hours if minor requires 15 credit hours, complete 3 credit hours if minor requires 18 credit hours. (COMM 44 21P - Practicum: bluestone Public Relations Firm) |
6/9 |
|
Minor
Complete 6 credit hours if minor requires 15 credit hours, complete 9 credit hours if minor requires 18 credit hours |
0/3 |
Milestones:
- Complete a maximum of 12 credit hours of COMM 3000-4000 level courses to apply toward 18-21 credit hours of major electives.
- Complete 120 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
Additional Information:
- For Mass Communications majors, 18-21 credit hours of COMM 3000-4000 level courses are required to apply toward major electives. Up to 6 credit hours of the 18-21 hours may be selected from the Approved Electives list, but this is not required. Majors may petition to apply alternative courses, including 1000-2000 level courses, as major electives that are relevant to their career aspirations by submitting requests and rationales to advisors. The Dean or Designee must approve all alternative courses.
- Additionally, students may take up to 6 hours of internship (COMM 4486) for credit in their degree program, and students may take up to 6 credit hours of 3000-4000 level practica courses in their degree program. However, students may not exceed a total of 9 credit hours of internship and practica combined.
Crush Your Course
First Year:
- Talk with your professors and advisors about your education and career goals.
Middle Years:
- Complete core classes.
- Meet with your faculty mentor at least once per semester.
Last Year:
- Complete an internship.
- Submit your coursework for internal Excellence Awards.
- Submit your work for national awards.
Find Your Place
First Year:
- Join PRSSA.
- Become a mentee in the Alumni Mentor Programs.
- Attend SCFM networking functions and alumni networking events.
Middle Years:
- Attend (or volunteer at) Media Day.
- Maintain PRSSA membership.
- Participate in bluestone.
- Explore internship opportunities.
Broaden Your Perspectives
First Year:
- Explore diversity, equity, and inclusion resources and opportunities across campus.
- Check out the education abroad office.
Middle Years:
- In a student organization? Suggest you all complete an implicit bias workshop.
- Consider a study abroad program. Check out students’ stories of their experiences.
Last Year:
- Assess your cultural competency.
- Consider working abroad and research visa regulations.
- Explore practices of creating more inclusive careers.
Connect Off-Campus
First Year:
- Visit Wolves Vote to learn about the voting process and registration.
- Consider volunteering for a campaign or organization in your community.
Middle Years:
- Complete an internship in your field.
- Consider a summer or part-time job.
- Ask your department about networking opportunities with alumni.
Last Year:
- Ask for advice from professionals in your field of interest.
- Explore career shadowing opportunities.
Take Care of Yourself
First Year:
- Visit the UWG Wellness Hub to find all the resources available to you!
- Visit Health Services.
- Get fit! Visit URec to see all your options.
- Visit the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy.
Middle Years:
- Take a fitness class, climb the rock wall, or join an intramural team.
- Consider whether counseling is right for you: take a mental health screening.
Last Year:
- Explore a farmer’s market for fresh produce.
- Develop a post-graduation exercise plan.
- Explore your loan repayment options and complete your exit counseling.
Pave Your Path
First Year:
- Complete a self-assessment to see what careers and majors are right for you.
- Visit Office of Career and Graduate School Connections.
- Create your profile on Handshake.
- Consider applying for an on-campus job.
Middle Years:
- Draft your resume and attend a resume blitz.
- Learn about how to network on social media and update your Handshake profile.
- Draft your personal statement.
- Visit the graduate school to find out about graduate programs and admission requirements.
Last Year:
- Request references from professors and supervisors.
- Draft your resume cover letter and personal statement and revise it with career services.
- Attend business fairs and career fairs at UWG and across the state.
- Attend an interview workshop.
- Apply for graduate programs.
Careers
Career Opportunities
This degree can help you get work as the following:
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Have any questions about your major?
Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!