Public Relations

This option acquaints students with both social science and humanistic approaches to public relations. In other words, the relationship of organizations to their various publics is studied scientifically and as an art. The theory and practice of public relations are studied concurrently. Heavy emphasis is placed on writing and critical thinking as a basis for communicating.

Students gain hands-on experience with public relations in the Public Relations II writing course, the Public Relations III research issues and cases course, and the Public Relations IV campaigns course. In these advanced courses, students actually work in agencies for area nonprofit organizations. Students who seek additional experience in media skills can write for our campus newspaper, the Snapper. Some students also work with MU cable television, or with WIXQ, the campus radio station.

An active chapter of the pre-professional Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) gives students the opportunity to meet public relations professionals through campus programs and regional and national conferences and to interact with members of the Central Pennsylvania Public Relations Society of America chapter based in Harrisburg.

See Academic Advisement list of majors for course descriptions and requirements.