Undergraduate Majors
B.S. Integrated Public Relations & Advertising with Public Relations Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising (IPRA) with a concentration in Public Relations in The Zimmerman School prepares students for leadership positions in the fields of public relations, advertising, and integrated communications. The Public Relations concentration is designed to cultivate the next generation of relationship builders and strategic communicators in the field of public relations along with an understanding of advertising principles, offering an integrated approach to the two disciplines. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge, skills, and applied practice in public relations management, strategic planning, and message design, the public relations concentration provides students with an innovative education that prepares them for success as leaders and communicators in a range of corporate, non-profit, and agency environments. Students in this concentration have an opportunity to work with real-world clients through a culminating class as a member of the student-run communications firm, Sago Agency, or through an integrated public relations and advertising campaigns course.
Whether your goal is to become a public relations manager, social media content creator, or corporate communications manager, the Public Relations concentration will give you the skills and professional connections you need to launch your career.
Entry-Level Career Ideas
- Public Relations Specialist
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Coordinator
- Communications Specialist
- Marketing Assistant
- Event Planner Market Researcher
- Brand Coordinator
- Digital Media Strategist
- Public Affairs Coordinator
- Employee Communications Specialist
Get Involved in Public Relations Organizations!
The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) strives to advance the profession of Public Relations, the leadership and professional development of its members, networking opportunities with Florida and other PR professionals, scholarships and internships, and education of members and non-members about PR.
The Walter E. Griscti Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a nationally-affiliated organization devoted to connecting PR students with each other and PR professionals and enhancing the professional practice of public relations.
Curriculum
You can find the full catalog of courses and credit hour requirements here.
The 48-hour major includes 36 credit hours in the IPRA core, 9 credit hours in the concentration core, and 3 credit hours of IPRA electives.
Integrated Public Relations and Advertising Core Courses: 12 courses; 36 credit hours
Required core courses for the Integrated Public Relations and Advertising Major:
- ADV 2214 - Mass Communications Design and Content Creation Credit(s): 3
- ADV 3008 - Principles of Advertising Credit(s): 3
- MMC 2100 - Media Writing Credit(s): 3
- MMC 3472 - Audience Engagement and Analytics Credit(s): 3
- MMC 3602 - Media and Society Credit(s): 3
- MMC 4211 - Communication Law and Democracy Credit(s): 3
- PUR 3000 - Principles of Public Relations Credit(s): 3
- PUR 3500 - Public Relations and Advertising Research Credit(s): 3
- PUR 4203 - Ethics and Social Responsibility in Public Relations and Advertising Credit(s): 3
- PUR 4501 - Data Analytics in Public Relations and Advertising Credit(s): 3
- VIC 3001 - Visual Literacy Credit(s): 3
Students must choose ONE:
- MMC 4031C - Student-Run Communications Agency Credit(s): 1-3
OR
Public Relations Concentration Core Courses: 3 courses; 9 credit hours
- PUR 3622 - Social Media Strategy Credit(s): 3
- PUR 4100 - Writing For Public Relations Credit(s): 3
- PUR 4401 - Global Public Relations Management Credit(s): 3
Major Elective Courses: 1 course; 3 credit hours
Choose 3 credit hours of coursework from the following list:
- ADV 3101 - Advertising Creativity Credit(s): 3
- ADV 3300 - Media Planning for Advertising Credit(s): 3
- ADV 4600 - Advertising Management Credit(s): 3
- ADV 4204 - Advanced Advertising Creativity Credit(s): 3
- ADV 4301 - Advanced Media Strategy Credit(s): 3
- ADV 4310 - Digital Media Credit(s): 3
- MAR 3023 - Basic Marketing Credit(s): 3
- MMC 4936 - Selected Topics in Mass Communications Studies Credit(s): 1-3
- MMC 4945 - Internship Credit(s): 1-3
- PUR 4101 - Public Relations Design and Production Credit(s): 3
- PUR 4412 - Persuasion in Digital Media Credit(s): 3
- VIC 3400C - Visual Design for Globalized Media Credit(s): 3
Or one (1) course from the Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications curriculum outside of those above, with advisor approval