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:

Three credits from the following media courses:

Three credits from the following interpersonal communication courses:

Three credits from the following major writing courses:

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

Nine credits from the following:

General Education Requirements