BA in Communications: Public Relations Emphasis (49 hours*)

This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. Please see the college advisement center for information regarding requirements for admission to this emphasis.

The Discipline

Public relations manages communication to build mutually beneficial relationships between the organization and its vital publics. The public relations program at BYU emphasizes research and measurement; strategic planning; professionally designed, written, and targeted tactics; and ethical practice. We prepare students with critical skills in thinking, writing, research, program planning and management, creative problem solving, and relationship building with publics typical to the public relations challenges of diverse organizations. Those publics include but are not limited to media, consumers, employees, government and other regulatory bodies, and communities. In keeping with the aims of a BYU education, our students and graduates should engage in lifelong learning and professional practice that exemplifies the values of grace, truth, and equity.

Career Opportunities

Virtually all segments of the public and private sectors throughout the world draw employees from public relations graduates. Graduates may work as technical experts or in management tracks. They may specialize in employee relations, community relations, public affairs, media relations, or several other tracks within the professional arena.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

1. Complete one course from the following:
   ENGL 150 : Writing and Rhetoric. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   ENGL 150 : Writing and Rhetoric. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
   DESCRIPTION:	Processes of writing, reading, and research with an emphasis on argumentation and rhetorical analysis.
   NOTE:	Fulfills General Education First-Year Writing requirement. Changing to Wrtg 150 beginning Fall 2010.
   
   
   HONRS 150 : Honors University Writing. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   Honors University Writing.
   HONRS 150 : Honors University Writing. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   Honors University Writing.

   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   DESCRIPTION:	University writing and critical reading designed for those with AP English credit or those intending to graduate with University Honors.

   PHIL 150 : Reasoning and Writing. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHIL 150 : Reasoning and Writing. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
   RECOMMENDED:	Recommended for philosophy majors and minors.
   DESCRIPTION:	Informal grammar, logic, and rhetoric as tools for reading and writing. Library research.
   NOTE:	Fulfills GE First-Year Writing requirement. No course challenges accepted.
   
   

   Note: Students must receive a B grade or better to be eligible to apply for admission to the program.

2. Complete the following core courses:
   COMMS 101 : Mass Communication and Society. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 101 : Mass Communication and Society. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Independent Study also.
   DESCRIPTION:	Historical and modern roles of mass media in society, emphasizing media effects on individuals and institutions.
   
   
   COMMS 211 : News Writing. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 211 : News Writing. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Pre-communications status; a B grade or better in one of the following: Engl 150, Phil 150, or Honrs 150.
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles and practices of identifying news and writing it for newspaper, radio, television, and Internet audiences.
   NOTE:	Lab required.
   
   
   COMMS 235 : Introduction to Public Relations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 235 : Introduction to Public Relations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   DESCRIPTION:

   Philosophy and practice of public relations in business, government, education, and other institutions. Study of publics, media, methods, press relations, and publicity.
   
   

   Note: Students must receive a B grade or better from each course to be eligible to apply for admission to the program.

3. Apply to the major.
4. Complete the following:
   COMMS 300 : Media Ethics, Law and Responsibility. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 300 : Media Ethics, Law and Responsibility. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	major status.
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to First Amendment history and press freedom, law, and theory; media regulation and policy; relationship between law and ethics; key ethical issues in professional communications.
   
   
   COMMS 318 : Public Relations Research and Measurement. (3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 318 : Public Relations Research and Measurement. (3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Alternate terms
   PREREQUISITE:	Major status.
   DESCRIPTION:	Research methods and analysis critical to developing strategic public relations and measuring its effectiveness, emphasizing focus group and survey approaches with qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis.
   
   
5. Complete one course from each of the following three clusters (nine hours total). Courses must be taken in order (from cluster 1, then 2, then 3):
   • Cluster 1: Media, Family, and Society:
     COMMS 302 : Popular Culture and Media. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 302 : Popular Culture and Media. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Impact of new and traditional media on popular culture. Includes media criticism and cultural theories on the artifacts and drivers of cultural values.
     
     
     COMMS 351 : Media and Their Audiences. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 351 : Media and Their Audiences. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Understanding media content and channels empowering and improving media consumption and interpretation. Includes new technology, social media, consumer behavior, media criticism, and media literacy.
     
     
     COMMS 411 : Mass Communications Processes and Effects. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 411 : Mass Communications Processes and Effects. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	F, W, alternate terms
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Mass communication as a social process, incorporating literature from journalism, social psychology, sociology, political science, and history. Factors in message construction, dissemination, and audience reception.
     
     
     COMMS 416 : Media Advocacy and Social Change. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 416 : Media Advocacy and Social Change. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Communication principles, theories, and approaches applied to effect social change. Includes public policy, grass roots advocacy, social marketing, and social movements.
     
     
   • Cluster 2: Principles and Philosophy:
     COMMS 301 : Mass Media History and Philosophy. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 301 : Mass Media History and Philosophy. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Historical and philosophical development of today's media. Includes theories of media change, social responsibility, economic factors, and influential pioneers.
     
     
     COMMS 360 : Communication Management Principles and Theory. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 360 : Communication Management Principles and Theory. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Management principles and theory, emphasizing responsible management benefiting organizations and their stakeholders. Includes crisis communication, media or agency management, and programming.
     
     
     COMMS 406 : Media and the First Amendment. (3:3.0:0.0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 406 : Media and the First Amendment. (3:3.0:0.0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status; Comms 300.
     DESCRIPTION:	Advanced understanding of media law, policy, and regulation of free speech and press. Includes Freedom of Information, rights of press, government control, and legal precedents regarding the First Amendment.
     
     
     COMMS 480 : Media Ethics and Moral Reasoning. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 480 : Media Ethics and Moral Reasoning. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Comms 300 or instructor's consent.
     DESCRIPTION:	Advanced application of moral reasoning and understanding of ethical issues in mass communication. Includes current cases and issues, professional practices, and philosophical foundations of ethics.
     
     
   • Cluster 3: Global Communication and Diversity:
     COMMS 381 : International Media Systems. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 381 : International Media Systems. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Communications or international relations major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Comparison of media systems in countries and regions outside the United States. Includes media systems analysis, normative theories of the media, and cultural values and norms.
     
     
     COMMS 382 : Issues in Global Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 382 : Issues in Global Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Communications or international relations major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Issues relating to communicating in a global village. Includes global information and policy, cultural imperialism, intercultural interaction, and multinational communication strategies.
     
     
     COMMS 481 : Gender, Race, and Class in the Media. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 481 : Gender, Race, and Class in the Media. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	Applying critical theory to the interaction between media and underrepresented groups in society. Includes stereotypes and portrayals, access to media, participation, and media ownership.
     
     
     COMMS 482 : Media and World Religions. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     COMMS 482 : Media and World Religions. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     OFFERED:	Alternate semesters.
     PREREQUISITE:	Major or minor status.
     DESCRIPTION:	The interaction of media, world religions, and beliefs. Includes media coverage and portrayal of religion, religions' use of media, conflict between the two, and communicating across religious cultures.
     
     

6. Complete the following:
   COMMS 321 : News Reporting. (3:2:5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 321 : News Reporting. (3:2:5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Comms 300 or concurrent enrollment; major status.
   DESCRIPTION:	Research and reporting skills. Database retrieval and interviewing. Beat reporting for newspapers, radio, and online media. Lab required.
   
   
   COMMS 336 : Strategic Planning and Problem Solving. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 336 : Strategic Planning and Problem Solving. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Major status.
   DESCRIPTION:	Cases selected from wide range of actual public relations problems confronting business, government, education, and other institutions. Focus on strategic planning matrix.
   
   
   COMMS 421 : Public Relations Writing and Production. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 421 : Public Relations Writing and Production. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PREREQUISITE:	Comms 321, 336; computer proficiency in InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver demonstrated by portfolio review or completion of Office of Information Technology course.
   DESCRIPTION:	Professional public relations writing and editing in a variety of formats as used in public relations applications.
   
   
   COMMS 485 : Strategic Public Relations Campaigns. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 485 : Strategic Public Relations Campaigns. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PREREQUISITE:	Comms 318, 336, 421; software proficiency in Flash, Dreamweaver, and Image Ready as demonstrated by portfolio review or completion of Office of Information Technology course.
   DESCRIPTION:	Capstone course applying communication principles to internal and external publics; fact finding, planning, and evaluating social interrelationships; major campaigns for selected clients.
   
   
7. After consulting with an advisor, complete an internship in conjunction with 4 hours of the following:
   COMMS 496R : Academic Internship. (1-9:Arr:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   COMMS 496R : Academic Internship. (1-9:Arr:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Major status; prerequisites satisfied; clearance by the Communications Department.
   DESCRIPTION:	Professional field experience.
   
   

   Note: A C– grade or better in the following prerequisite courses must be achieved before the internship experience: Comms 321, 336, 421.

8. Complete the following:
   ACC 200 : Principles of Accounting. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   ACC 200 : Principles of Accounting. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   DESCRIPTION:	Financial and managerial accounting principles. Basic accounting statements, processes, and management applications. Open to all students.
   NOTE:	Independent Study also.
   
   
   BUS M 340 : Marketing Management. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   BUS M 340 : Marketing Management. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Independent Study also.
   DESCRIPTION:	Emphasizes marketing's role in society and the firm, marketing opportunities, the consumer market, and management of marketing mix.
   NOTE:	For nonmanagement majors.
   
   

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.

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