Public Relations
Program of Study
Create communication that’s socially responsible. Change the world.
The Public Relations (PR) major in the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University is where you will learn the communication and relational skills needed for a career in creating inclusive, sustainable, socially responsible messages for organizations and the public.
The PR curriculum provides a thorough introduction to the principles, necessary skills, and contemporary practices of public relations. Students gain hands-on experience in writing, social media, design, and campaigns through application of research, critical thinking, and ethical practice.
Opportunities for students to showcase their new communication expertise include our student-run chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, internships, study abroad classes, and course-related work for local and regional clients. Additional opportunities exist through the department’s student-run communication agency Second Story Media, and student-run media outlets 90.5 WASU-FM The App, AppTV, The Appalachian news organization, and The Peel Literature and Arts Review.
Admission Requirements
- A minor is required for all Communication majors.
- If double majoring with a major outside of Communication, a minor is not required.
- If double majoring IN Communication, a minor IS required.
- A foreign language is not required for Communication majors.
- Students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 (or higher) to declare a major in Public Relations.
Computer Requirement
Many students in the Department of Communication are enrolled in at least one course that involves working with graphics, audio, or video. Students enrolled in video courses will need a computer capable of running Adobe Premier Pro. All other students will likely be successful if they have a computer capable of running Adobe Illustrator.
While computer labs are open, you may not want to rely on them to join online class meetings or to complete your assignments. Having a laptop computer will be very helpful.
Core Courses (6 Hours)
A 2.0 GPA is required in the core courses
COM 1200 - Thinking Through Communication (3)
COM 2101 - Public Speaking (3) OR
COM 2105 - Public Speaking in the Disciplines (3)
Major Core (27 Hours)
COM 1300 - Journalism Matters: An Introduction to News Literacy and News Writing (3)
COM 2325 - Public Relations Principles (3)
COM 2618 - Introduction to Media Publishing (3)
COM 3010 - Media Graphics (3)
COM 3320 - Professional Ethics in Public Relations (3)
COM 3300 - Mass Media and Society (3)
COM 3618 - Public Relations Writing (3) [WID]
COM 3928 - Communication Research Methods (3)
COM 4318 - Public Relations Campaigns (3) [CAP]