Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Strategic Communication and Media, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Public Relations

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Strategic COMMUNICATION and Media - PUBLIC RELATIONS, BS

  • Writing: Produce written communication tactics to communicate with various publics. 
  • Tactics: Employ social media, multimedia, and graphic design technologies to communicate with publics. 
  • Strategic Campaigns: Demonstrate the ability to develop a research-based strategic communication plan tailored to a specific target public. 

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT, OVERALL

  • Writing competency: Students will demonstrate the ability to write and present messages clearly and effectively.
  • Ethics and legal issues: Students will understand ethical and legal issues facing communicators in the 21st century.
  • Research and analysis: Students will demonstrate the ability to design and implement research studies and critically analyze research data. 

RELATED LINKS

Strategic Communication and Media - Public Relations, BS Program Page

Strategic Communication and Media Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements54
Electives24

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

From at least 3 Categories; no more than 6 credits from one department; 6 credits must be 300-level or above.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

MAJOR/CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS 

  • 27 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 27 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Communication Core
COMM 110Communication Concepts 1,23
COMM 263Mass Media and Society 13
COMM 310Communication Research Methods 1,23
COMM 410Communication Law 1,23
COMM 497Senior Capstone Seminar 13
Subtotal15
Public Relations Requirements
COMM 231Principles of Integrated Marketing Communication & Public Relations 13
COMM 242Media Writing 1,23
COMM 307Social Media 13
COMM 317Topics in Global and Intercultural Communication3
COMM 332Case Studies in Public Relations and Integrated Communication 13
COMM 333Writing for Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication 1,23
COMM 431PR and IMC Campaigns Capstone 13
COMM 450Internship 13-12
Subtotal24-33
Message Production Tactics
Select three courses of the following (at least one course must be 300 level or higher)9
Introduction to Digital Design 1
Photojournalism 1
Interactive Multimedia 1 1
Video Production 1
Message Preparation 1
Interactive Multimedia 2 1
Publication Production 1
New-Media Journalism 1
Interactive Multimedia 3
Digital Imaging
Advertising Production
PR Professional Practice
Select two of the following (at least one course must be at 300 level or higher)6
Principles of Creative Advertising
Strategic Health Communication
Argumentation
Organizational Communication
Professional Presentation
Media Relations and Crisis Communication
Health Communication Cases and Strategies
Social Media Network Analytics
Persuasion
Introduction to HEMT
Contemporary Travel and Tourism
Principles of Marketing
Organizational Behavior
Human Resources Management
Environmental Communication
Environmental Communication
Interpretive Methods and Programming
Introduction to Sport Management
The Fan Experience
Total Hours54
1

Course counts for 50% of Major and Major GPA

2

A grade of 'C' or higher must be earned in these courses

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION & MEDIA- BS (2119)
Concentration in Public Relations (PUBR)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revision date: 04.15.2022
UCC RISP 3.1.22

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
COMM 110 Communication Concepts 3
COMM 263 Mass Media and Society 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
COMM 200 Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
COMM 231 Principles of Integrated Marketing Communication & Public Relations 3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
COMM 235 Introduction to Digital Design 3
Message Production & Tactics Course 3
Natural Sciences Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
Elective 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 242 Media Writing 3
Message Production & Tactics Course 3
Physical Sciences Inquiry 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
COMM 310 Communication Research Methods 3
COMM 332 Case Studies in Public Relations and Integrated Communication 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Message Production & Tactics Course 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 307 Social Media 3
COMM 333 Writing for Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
PR Professional Practice Course 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
COMM 410 Communication Law 3
PR Professional Practice Course 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 6
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 317 Topics in Global and Intercultural Communication 3
COMM 431 PR and IMC Campaigns Capstone 3
COMM 450 Internship 3
COMM 497 Senior Capstone Seminar 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 2119
Concentration Code: PUBR
Revised: 05.10.2023