Public Relations and Strategic Communication, B.S.
Visit the Communication Department page for more information on the program and access to advising.
Program Description
The Public Relations and Strategic Communication major equips graduates to manage communication strategies, such as those used in digital and social media, product and brand, and crisis campaigns. The program provides opportunities to create, implement, and assess communication messages across platforms to build relationships between organizations and their audiences, including clients, consumers, employees, and the media. The engaged learning curriculum fosters innovation and leadership, ensuring students understand public relations strategies and analytics to develop comprehensive communication campaigns. Graduates pursue careers in public relations, government, media relations, event planning, social media and digital content marketing, and crisis management. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate school.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
| General Education Requirements | 30 Credits | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 1005 | Foundations of Academic Writing | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics (3) | ||
or STAT 1045 | Introduction to Statistics with Algebra | |
or MAT 1030 | Quantitative Reasoning | |
or MAT 1035 | Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra | |
or MATH 1050 | College Algebra | |
or MATH 1055 | College Algebra with Preliminaries | |
| Introduction to Statistics with Algebra (5) | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| American History (3) | ||
| US History to 1877 and US History since 1877 (6) | ||
| US Economic History (3) | ||
| American Heritage (3) | ||
| American National Government (3) | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| Distribution Courses: | ||
| Biology | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Behavioral/Social Science | 3 | |
| Discipline Core Requirements | 18 Credits | |
| COMM 2300 | Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3020 | Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| COMM 3520 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Case Studies | 3 |
| COMM 3530 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Writing | 3 |
| COMM 3050 | Theories of Communication | 3 |
| COMM 4850 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| Discipline Elective Requirements | 20 Credits | |
| Complete 20 credits within the Communication Major; 9 must be at the 3000-4000 level | 20 | |
| Public Speaking (3) | ||
| Introduction to Communication (3) | ||
| Writing for the Mass Media (3) | ||
| Introduction to Mass Communication (3) | ||
| Reporting for the Mass Media (3) | ||
| Communication Field Experience (1-3) | ||
| Introduction to Gender and Communication (3) | ||
| The News Editing Process (3) | ||
| Interpersonal Communication (3) | ||
| Introduction to Health Communication (3) | ||
| Small Group Communication and Decision Making (3) | ||
| Media Literacy (undefined) | ||
| Race Class and Gender in U S Cinema (3) | ||
| Principles of Advertising (3) | ||
| Argumentation (3) | ||
| Visual Strategies for Communication Majors (3) | ||
| Organizational Communication (undefined) | ||
| Magazine Writing (3) | ||
| Independent Study (1-3) | ||
| Introduction to Qualitative Communication Research (3) | ||
| Media Ethics (3) | ||
| Propaganda and Persuasion (3) | ||
| Non Fiction Cinema History (3) | ||
| Communicating in Environments (3) | ||
| Fundamentals of New and Social Media (3) | ||
| The Culture of Nature and Technology (3) | ||
| Social Media Content Creation Strategy (3) | ||
| Social Media Analytics (3) | ||
| Ethnographic Methods for Communication Research (3) | ||
| Intercultural Communication Encounters (3) | ||
| Photojournalism (3) | ||
| International Business Communication (3) | ||
| Fundamentals of Mediation and Negotiation (3) | ||
| Communication and Conflict (3) | ||
| Media Representation (3) | ||
| Special Topics in Communication (3) | ||
| Visual Communication Theory (3) | ||
| Sports Public Relations (3) | ||
| Public Relations Event and Media Coordination (3) | ||
| Crisis Communication (3) | ||
| Fashion Public Relations and Strategic Communication (3) | ||
| Health Communication and Culture (3) | ||
| Investigative Reporting (3) | ||
| Advertising Media Planning (3) | ||
| Creative Strategy in Communication Campaigns (3) | ||
| Free Expression in a Democratic Society (3) | ||
| Mormons Media and Culture (3) | ||
| Case Studies in Journalism (3) | ||
| Communication Education (3) | ||
| Interpersonal Communication Theory and Research (3) | ||
| Advanced Health Communication (3) | ||
| Group Communication (3) | ||
| Applied Survey Research (3) | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Organizational Communication (3) | ||
| Communication and Social Behavior (3) | ||
| Family Communication (3) | ||
| Communication and Leadership (3) | ||
| Communication Executive Lecture Series (3) | ||
| Media and Politics (3) | ||
| Wolverine Student Public Relations and Strategic Communication Firm (3) | ||
| Journalism Workshop (3) | ||
| Internship (3,6) | ||
| Competitive Case Studies (3) | ||
| Communication Capstone (3) | ||
| Independent Study (1-3) | ||
| Electives | 52 Credits | |
| Students may complete any courses - a total of 40 upper-division credits will be required for graduation (see academic advisor), completion of one G/I course is required. | 52 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above (departments may require a higher GPA).
- Residency hours: minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
- Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
- Completion of COMM courses with a C- or higher.
- Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
- Successful completion of at least two Writing Enriched courses.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Fine Arts Distribution | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| COMM Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Social/Behavioral Science Distribution | 3 | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Biology GE | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| COMM 2300 | Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication | 3 |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| COMM Elective | 3 | |
| Physical Science GE | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| American Institutions GE | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| COMM Elective | 3 | |
| COMM 3050 | Theories of Communication | 3 |
| COMM Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| COMM 3530 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Writing | 3 |
| COMM 3020 | Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| COMM Upper Division Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| COMM 3520 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Case Studies | 3 |
| COMM Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| COMM 4850 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| COMM Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Online Graduation Plan
An online graduation plan offers students a flexible yet structured approach to their academic journey. While this sample serves as a general guideline, individual plans may differ based on Math and English placement scores. Meeting with an academic advisor is strongly recommended to customize plans and ensure all graduation requirements are met.
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) are Certified Online Courses, meeting UVU’s high standards for quality and accessibility.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing * | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Fine Arts Distribution | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Comm Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| SS GE | 3 | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing * | 3 |
| STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics * | 3 |
| Biology GE | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| COMM 2300 | Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication * | 3 |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| COMM 2270 | Argumentation * | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Comm Elective | 3 | |
| Physical Science GE | 3 | |
| Humanities GE | 3 | |
| American Institutions GE | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| Comm Elective | 3 | |
| COMM 3050 | Theories of Communication * | 3 |
| Comm Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| COMM 3530 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Writing * | 3 |
| COMM 3020 | Communication Research Methods * | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Comm Upper Division Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| COMM 3520 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Case Studies * | 3 |
| Comm Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| COMM 4850 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| Comm Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply research methodologies and data analytics to inform and evaluate communication strategies.
- Develop clear, persuasive, and professional messages tailored to target audiences across diverse media formats.
- Design effective communication strategies that align with organizational objectives and leverage various platforms effectively.
- Evaluate strategic communication messaging.
- Implement effective public relations campaign with strategic communication tactics and manage internal and external stakeholder engagement.
Advertising and promotions managers
- Total Positions22,200
- Field Growth-2.6%
- Median Salary$131,870
- Average Openings1.8
Public relations managers
- Total Positions78,400
- Field Growth6.9%
- Median Salary$134,760
- Average Openings6.0
Fundraising managers
- Total Positions38,200
- Field Growth5.9%
- Median Salary$119,200
- Average Openings2.9
Fundraisers
- Total Positions125,900
- Field Growth5.9%
- Median Salary$64,160
- Average Openings10.0
Communications teachers, postsecondary
- Total Positions35,000
- Field Growth3.3%
- Median Salary$79,910
- Average Openings2.8
Public relations specialists
- Total Positions308,000
- Field Growth6.2%
- Median Salary$66,750
- Average Openings27.1