Program's Overview

Description of Major 
The goal of the School of Communication is to provide a broad-based set of intellectual and communication skills which prepare one for a career in the communication field. While some majors are professionally oriented and others stress theory and a liberal education, each gives the student a broad understanding of fundamental communication processes and also provides flexibility to tailor coursework around individual student needs. Public Relations students will concentrate on public relations writing, tactics, research and campaign management skills.

Note: Specific information related to this interest area is subject to change. Please check with the School of Communication prior to submitting your application.

Prerequisite Coursework 

Prerequisite Coursework:
18 hours outside the major and beyond General Education requirements.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Admission Requirements to the Upper-Division Major
The School of Communication is a limited access program, restricted by both total numbers of students in each major and minimum grade point average required for application. Each major operates with a different enrollment cap. Achievement of the minimum application GPA does not guarantee admission to a communication major; all admissions are competitive. Admission criteria are available from the School.

An application package must be completed and submitted to the School of Communication, see http://www.comm.cci.fsu.edu/. Minimum requirements for review of application include: an overall GPA of 3.00 on all college coursework attempted; completed application package submitted to the School of Communication on or before the first business day in February for each year; and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must have completed 52 hours of college coursework by the end of the semester of application. Applicants are encouraged to enroll in a foreign language, computing statistics, speaking, and writing courses. Acceptance by a faculty committee will be based on a review of the application and transcript, and other relevant materials in light of the published admissions criteria. By the end of the spring semester in which the student is applying for admission, s/he must successfully complete two General Education English courses and two General Education math courses as accepted by FSU.

Requirements 

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (40 hours)
40 hours are required to complete the major. No grade below a C minus will be accepted for any major course. Maintenance of a 3.00 cumulative GPA is required. The School of Communication reserves the right to refuse admission or discontinue enrollment of any student at any time, if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student does not meet departmental or major standards.

Public Relations Core courses (15 hours)
ADV 3008 (3) Principles of Advertising
COM 3310 (3) Communication Research Methods
ADV 3352 (3) Mass Media Law
PUR 3000 (3) Introduction to Public Relations
SPC 2608 (3) Public Speaking

Emphasis Area (12 hours)
PUR 3100 (3) Writing for Public Relations
PUR 3002 (3) Public Relations Techniques
PUR 4800 (3) PR Campaigns
SPC 4605 (3) The Principles of Speechwriting

Internship (6-7 hours)
Students are required to enroll in a minimum of six hours of internship (PUR 4940r), but a maximum of seven hours may be credited toward the Public Relations major.

Electives in the major to bring the total major coursework hours to a minimum of 39.

Minor coursework: (12 hours or more)
All work must be in a department other than Communication, with the exception of a minor in Hispanic Marketing Communication. All work counted toward the minor must be C minus or higher. Suggested minors include: Business, Psychology, English, Journalism (FAMU), Political Science, and others depending on career objectives. Check with the minor department for specific requirements.

Language requirement.
Students formally admitted into any program in the School of Communication must achieve proficiency in one language other than English prior to graduation. Students may fulfill this requirement through: modern/classical language, or business language. Students may satisfy this requirement through testing or by taking courses. For students admitted for Fall 2012 and later, S-U grading of modern language courses is acceptable; business language courses must be taken for a letter grade. See the University Bulletin or contact the department for more information.

Computer Skills Competency: (0-3 beyond major requirements)
CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or COM 4470 (3) will meet this requirement for the major.

Oral Communication Competency: (0 beyond major requirements)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. SPC 2608 is required for this major and will meet this requirement.

Minimum Program Requirements – Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 39
Minor Coursework 12 or more
Language Requirement 0-12 (depending on language placement)
Computer Skills Competency 0-3
Oral Communication Competency 0 beyond major coursework
Electives to bring total credits to 120

Mapping 
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Please visit the Academic Guide for more information.