Public Relations (B.A.)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Public Relations program can:

  1. Identify, interpret, evaluate, and apply best practices in public relations, media relations, and crisis communication (combining traditional and new media) for maintaining mutually beneficial relationships between organization and publics both routinely and in times of crisis.
  2. Identify and demonstrate commitment to ethical practice of public relations.
  3. Analyze, compare and evaluate models of public relations practice used in an organization and make effective recommendations for improvement.
  4. Display proficient to advanced competencies in four public relations related areas: writing, social media, crisis communication and marketing.
  5. Display proficient to advanced competencies in at least three specialty areas, depending on their major electives (e.g. fundraising, internal communication, event planning, campaign processes (research, action planning, communication/implementation/evaluation), visual communication, social and digital marketing persuasion).
  6. Explain how various media platforms work, how they produce meanings, how they are organized, and how to use them wisely and effectively.
  7. Explain how to form and maintain healthy relationships with diverse others.
  8. Construct discourse intended to inform, persuade, and entertain.
  9. Articulate ethical communication principles and practices.
  10. Explain research methods in communication.
  11. Communicate effectively, ethically, and appropriately through writing, interaction, and speaking in public, interpersonal, and group contexts.
  12. Display proficiency in one area of communication sufficient to pursue a career and/or continue education at the graduate level.
  13. Articulate an awareness of options for employment in a communication-related field.
  14. Articulate how faith connects to the discipline and students’ area of specialization in Communication.

     

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

COMM 105Fundamentals of Oral Communication

3

COMM 107Introduction to Communication Seminar

1

COMM 205Principles of Strategic Public Relations

3

COMM 341Communication Theory

3

COMM 351Writing for Strategic Public Relations

3

COMM 353Crisis Communication and Media Relations

3

COMM 359Rhetorical Theory

3

COMM 493Communication Senior Seminar

3

MRKT 130Marketing Principles

3

Three credits from the following media courses:

COMM 211Media in Everyday Life

3

COMM 218Mass Media and Society

3

COMM 282Topics in Media Studies

3

Three credits from the following interpersonal communication courses:

COMM 241Small Group Communication

3

COMM 313Relational Communication

3

COMM 342Intercultural Communication

3

COMM 354Interpersonal Conflict

3

Three credits from the following major writing courses:

BUSA 305Writing for Business

3

COMM 112Newswriting

3

COMM 247Writing for Mass Media

3

COMM 254Screenwriting I

3

ENGL 327Magazine Writing

3

One of the following options, must be taken for letter grade (1-3):

COMM 391Communication Practicum

1-3

INTE 391Internship

1-3

INTE 394Internship

4-12

INTE 394: Students may take INTE 394 for 4-12 credits. Three of those credits would count towards the major, additional credits count as free electives.

Nine credits from the following:

COMM 203Basic Video&Editing Techniques

3

COMM 207Communication Design

3

COMM 301Persuasion: Theory and Practice

3

COMM 310Fundraising Principles and Strategies

3

COMM 333Business and Organizational Communication

3

COMM 357Event Planning

3

COMM 426Strategic Public Relations Campaigns

3

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 met/major
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics 3 or 4
Science with Lab  3 or 4 
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
Social Science 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
Literature or Arts 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing
Philosophy or Religion 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language 3
Bible
24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
24GE Christian Beliefs 3
Holistic Wellness
WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
24GE Ethics and the Common Good 3
Intercultural Perspectives
Intercultural U.S. or Domestic Cross-cultural 3
Common Learning
Experiential Learning (met if INTE 391/394)  
General Education requirements   46-48
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration)   44-46
Free Electives    29-33
Total credits   123