Mass Communication, Public Relations Concentration, B.A.

Curriculum Requirements

The Public Relations concentration prepares students for careers as specialists who promote people and organizations.  Students will learn how to understand the attitudes and values of the institutions they work with in order to achieve institutional communication goals.  They will develop strong written communication skills and technology experience that includes research, graphic design, online and traditional publishing, and social media.  The concentration also emphasizes critical and creative thinking and ethics in decision-making.

1. 120 Semester Hours:

Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in the major and cumulative. The last 30 hours must be completed at NCCU. Students must earn grades of C or better in ENG 1110 , ENG 1210 , and all major courses.

2. General Education Requirement:

Freshman and sophomore years: complete General Education Curriculum  required by the university as detailed on the four-year course of study. Students must have a “C” or better in ENG 1110  and ENG 1210 .

3. Program Requirements:

4. Concentration Requirements

• MSCM 2590 - Public Relations Theory and Practice (3)
• MSCM 3440 - Media Business: Advertising, Sales & Marketing (3)
• MSCM 3595 - Public Relations Writing & Publications (3)
• MSCM 4591 - Public Relations Cases and Campaigns (3)

•  

• Two MSCM Electives:

  Any non-required Mass Communication course at the 2000 level or above, as well as ENG 2105 , ENG 2720 , ENG 3700 , ENG 3800 , and ENG 3900 .

5. Additional Requirements

Program Notes:

Four- Year Curriculum Plan

Four-Year Curriculum Plan in Mass Communication, Public Relations Concentration

(Effective Fall 2008)

For key to symbols used, please see ‘key’ below.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

*  ENG 1110  -  English Composition I ( 3 )   

*  MATH 1080  -  Mathematics for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences ( 3 )  **

*  HIST 1320  -  World Societies ( 3 )  

*  HEDU 1531  -  Health ( 2 )  

* UNIV 1100  -  First Year Seminar ( 2 )  

Total: 13

Spring Semester

* ENG 1210  -  English Composition II ( 3 )  

* GEC Social Science Course #2 (3/4)

* GEC Foreign Language II ** (3)

* HUM 2410  -  Arts & Humanities I ( 3 )  or HUM 2420  -  Arts & Humanities II ( 3 )  

^ MSCM 1250  -  Elements of Speech Communication ( 3 )  - SI 

Total: 15/16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

* GEC  Science Course # 1 (3/4)

* GEC Humanities # 2 (3) 

^ MSCM 2400  -  Introduction to Mass Communication: Structure and Social Impact ( 3 )  

* PEDU 1541  -  Fitness ( 2 ) 

^ MSCM 2440  -  Reporting and Writing for Mass Media ( 3 )  - WI

& General Elective (3) 

Total: 17/18

Spring Semester

* GEC Science Course #2 (3)

^ MSCM 2430  -  Mass Media and Society ( 3 )  

^ MSCM 2540  -  Introduction to Multimedia Reporting ( 3 )  

+ MSCM 2590  -  Public Relations Theory and Practice ( 3 )   

& General Elective (3)

Total: 15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

^  ENG 3110  -  Advanced English Grammar ( 3 )  

+ MSCM Elective (3) 

+ MSCM 3595  -  Public Relations Writing & Publications ( 3 )   

& General Elective (3)

& General Elective (3)

Total: 15

Spring Semester

+ MSCM Elective (3) 

+ MSCM 3440  -  Media Business: Advertising, Sales & Marketing ( 3 )  

^ MSCM 4605  -  Mass Communication Law ( 3 )  

&General Elective (3)

&General Elective (3)

Total: 15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

^ MSCM 4615  -  Media Ethics ( 3 )   

^ MSCM 4620  -  Media Practicum ( 3 )   

& General Elective (3)

& General Elective (3)

& General Elective (3)

Total: 15

Spring Semester 

^ MSCM 4600  -  Mass Communication Theory and Research ( 3 )  

+ MSCM 4591  -  Public Relations Cases and Campaigns ( 3 )  

& General Elective (3)

& General Elective (3)

& General Elective (3)

Total: 15

Total Minimum Credit Hours: 120-122

Keys to symbols used:

Distribution of Hours:

* GEC General Education Core Curriculum Courses - 39 to 41

^ Mass Communication Core Curriculum Courses - 27

+ Mass  Communication Concentration Courses  - 18

&  General Electives - 34 to 36 hours

SI= Speaking Intensive
WI= Writing Intensive

** Placement scores will determine if students are required to complete MFL I or II and MATH 1000 before the GEC Math Mathematics Requirements.