Public Relations Major

Joint Programs of Study: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Public Relations/M.S. in Marketing & Communication
154 semester hours

The Joint Programs of Study option affords Franklin University undergraduate students, who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Franklin University, the opportunity to enroll in graduate coursework that may serve as university elective coursework in meeting the hour requirements for the Baccalaureate degree. Students pursuing this option generally complete both the Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees in less time and fewer semester hours than pursuing the two degrees consecutively.

Acceptance into one of the undergraduate programs of study at Franklin University does not ensure or guarantee acceptance into a Franklin University graduate program. Students must meet the admission requirements of the graduate program and be admitted into a graduate program of study in order to pursue the Joint Programs of Study option. Each program of study in the graduate program is governed by its respective program criteria and academic standards set forth in the Academic Bulletin. Application for enrollment into a graduate program must be submitted two terms prior to commencing graduate level coursework. Undergraduate students who are accepted into one of the graduate programs will be concurrently enrolled in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Any graduate course used in the undergraduate area may not be counted if a grade of “C” or less is earned.

It is recommended that students planning to pursue joint programs of study discuss their plans with their Academic Advisor.

Fundamental General Education Core (24 hours)
All courses must be at the 100 or 200 level

• Minimum of three semester hours of English Composition (if the course does not have a research paper component, COMM 130 Research Paper, two semester credits, is also required)
  Choose COMM 120 College Writing.
• Minimum of three semester hours of Mathematics (at least one mathematics or statistics course beyond the level of intermediate algebra)
  Choose from MATH 160 College Algebra, MATH 180 Applied Calculus, MATH 210 Finite Mathematics, MATH 220 Business Calculus, or MATH 215 Statistical Concepts.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Sciences (two science courses, with one having a laboratory component)
  Choose from the Science discipline.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences (which must be in at least two different disciplines)
  Choose from the Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology disciplines.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Arts and Humanities
  Choose from the Humanities discipline.

Additional General Education Requirements (26 hours)

• COMP 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)
• COMP 107 - Introduction to Web Authoring (1)
• HUMN 210 - Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking Skills (2)
• HUMN 305 - Global Issues (4)
• MATH 215* - Statistical Concepts (4)
• PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)
• PSYC 110** - General Psychology (4)
• SOCL 110** - Introduction to Sociology (4)
• SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)       

*Select another General Education Elective if MATH 215 is used in the Fundamental General Education Core.
**Select another Social Science elective if either PSYC 110 or SOCL 110 is used in the Fundamental General Education Core.

Professional Core (24 hours)

• BSAD 312 - Principles of Management (4)
• COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)
• COMM 315 - Communication Ethics (4)
• COMM 320 - Business & Professional Communication (4)
• MKTG 300 - Marketing (4)
• PSYC 204 - Principles of Motivation (4)

University Electives (14 hours)

Any courses offered by the University except developmental education courses.

Graduate-Level courses for Bachelor of Science Degree (8)

• MCM 711* - Media and Technology (4)
• MCM 713 - Communication and Persuasion (4)

*MCM 707 - MCM Foundations (2) is a prerequisite for this course.

Major Area (28 hours)

• PBRL 325 - Public Relations (4)
  
• PBRL 350 - Media Research and Writing (4)
  
• PBRL 425 - Crisis and Media Communication (4)
  
• PBRL 445 - Public Relations and Promotional Strategy (4)
  
• PBRL 450 - Rhetoric and Social Influence (4)
  
• PBRL 495 - Public Relations Capstone (4)
• Major Area Electives (4)*
  *Select 4 hours from the following:
  
  • MIS 320 - Technical Communication (4)
    
  • MKTG 350 - Persuasive Strategies (4)
    
  • MKTG 430 - Relationship Marketing (4)
    
  • ORGC 321 - Organizational Communication (4)
    
  • ORGC 335 - Communication in Groups and Teams (4)
    
  • ORGC 450 - Strategic Communication (4)
    
  • PBRL 410 - Public Relations Internship (1 - 4)
    
  • PBRL 480 - Special Topics In Public Relations (4)
    
  • PBRL 499 - Independent Studies In Public Relations (1 - 4)
  • PF 355 - Introduction to Grant Writing for Non-Profits (4)

The bachelor's degree will be awarded upon completion of all the requirements listed above.

Major Courses for Master of Science Completion (30 hours)

• MCM 707 - MCM Foundations (2)
• MCM 721 - Design Concepts (4)
• MCM 723 - Metrics and Analytics (4)
• MCM 727 - Behavioral Research (4)
• MCM 731 - Applied Communication Theory (4)
• MCM 733 - Applied Marketing Theory (4)
• MCM 737 - Management and Leadership (4)
• MCM 741 - MCM Capstone (4)

The Public Relations program also offers a Bachelor of Science degree, Subsequent Bachelor of Science degree, and Minor.