Program Overview
he degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in public relations requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) major requirements specified below; (4) related course requirement as specified below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.
Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Public Relations enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.
Program Outline
Major in Public Relations (40 hours)
Core Courses (15 hours):
- PRLS 2305 Introduction to Public Relations
- COMM 2313 Introduction to Communication Research
- COMM 3301 Organizational Communication [UD UCA Core: C, R]
- MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics [UD UCA Core: D, R]
- PRLS 4312 Multicultural Public Relations [UD UCA Core: D]
Application Courses (22 hours):
- PRLS 3101 PR Applications: Punctuation and AP Style
- PRLS 3103 PR Applications: Professional Skills
- PRLS 3105 PR Applications: Photography
- PRLS 3107 PR Applications: Portfolio
- JOUR 2300 Beginning Reporting
- JOUR 3305 Publication Design and Makeup OR WRTG 3305 Writing as Information Design
- PRLS 3305 Public Relations Techniques
- PRLS 3310 Writing for Public Relations [UD UCA Core: C]
- PRLS 4305 Public Relations Cases and Campaigns [UD UCA Core: Z]
- PRLS 4308 Social Media Management [UD UCA Core: I]
Electives (3 hours, chosen from the following):
Public Relations
- PRLS 3V21 Public Relations Internship (variable credit: 1-4 credit hours)
- PRLS 4310 Nonprofit Public Relations
- PRLS 4316 Special Topics in Public Relations
- PRLS 4V80 Directed Study in Public Relations (variable credit, 1-3 credit hours)
Communication
- COMM 3307 Interpersonal Communication [UD UCA Core: D]
- COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking [UD UCA Core: I]
- COMM 3330 Event Planning
Journalism
- JOUR 2325 Principles of Online Journalism
- JOUR 3308 News Editing
- JOUR 3345 Online Publishing I
- JOUR 3346 Online Publishing II
- JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
Professional Writing
- WRTG 3305 Writing as Information Design
- WRTG 3310 Technical Writing [UD UCA Core: C]
- WRTG 3315 Writing Center Practicum
- WRTG 4308 Writing for Change [UD UCA Core: Z]
Related Course Requirements
Required (6 hours): Complete one of the options below. Note that courses fulfilling the related course requirements cannot count toward both the related course requirements and the major.
Option 1: Global Competence
Complete six (6) hours in a single foreign language at the 1000-level or three (3) hours at the 2000-level or above (excluding 2340 and 2V12) in a foreign language.
Students with no prior language experience should enroll in SPAN 1310, FREN 1310, GERM 1310, JAPN 1310, or CHIN 1410. Students with previous language experience (including high school courses) should take the placement exam administered by the School of Language and Literature and enroll in the level of their placement. Students may apply for up to six (6) hours of credit by examination in Spanish, French, German, or Japanese and up to 8 hours in Chinese for coursework below the level of placement
In cases of unusually thorough preparation, or in the case of international students, exemption may be sought from the School of Language and Literature.
Option 2: Analytical Competence
Complete one approved introductory statistics course (CISA 2330 Business Statistics, PSCI 2312 Statistical Methods for Political Analysis, PSYC 2330 Psychological Statistics, or SOC 2321 Social Statistics); AND complete PRLS 3315 Applied Research Methods in Public Relations.
Minor in Public Relations (19 hours)
Required Courses (4 hours)
- PRLS 2305 Introduction to Public Relations
- PRLS 3101 PR Applications: Punctuation and AP Style
Elective Courses (15 hours)
At least 12 hours of electives must be from PRLS courses.
- PRLS 3103 PR Applications: Professional Skills
- PRLS 3105 PR Applications: Photography
- PRLS 3107 PR Applications: Portfolio
- PRLS 3305 Public Relations Technique
- PRLS 3310 Writing for Public Relations [UD UCA Core: C]
- PRLS 3315 Applied Research Methods in Public Relations
- PRLS 3V21 Public Relations Internship (variable credit: 1-4 credit hours)
- PRLS 4305 Public Relations Cases and Campaigns [UD UCA Core: Z]
- PRLS 4308 Social Media Management [UD UCA Core: I]
- PRLS 4310 Nonprofit Public Relations
- PRLS 4312 Multicultural Public Relations [UD UCA Core: D]
- PRLS 4314 Public Affairs
- PRLS 4316 Special Topics in Public Relations
- PRLS 4V80 Directed Study in Public Relations (variable credit, 1-3 credit hours)
- COMM 2308 Perspectives in Communication
- COMM 3301 Organizational Communication [UD UCA Core: C, R]
- COMM 3330 Event Planning
- COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
- JOUR 2300 Beginning Reporting
- JOUR 3305 Publication Design and Makeup
- MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics [UD UCA Core: D, R]
- WRID 3305 Writing as Information Design
Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program
LD = Lower Division
UD = Upper Division
C = Effective Communication
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
R = Responsible Living
Z = Capstone Experience
University of Central Arkansas
Overview:
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a public university located in Conway, Arkansas. It boasts a rich 115-year tradition of excellence and is committed to providing an innovative and collaborative education within a culture of student support and success.
Services Offered:
UCA offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Academic Advising:
Provides guidance and support for academic planning and course selection.Accessibility Resources and Services:
Offers accommodations and support for students with disabilities.Bear Card:
A multi-purpose card used for access to campus facilities, meal plans, and more.Bookstore:
Provides textbooks, course materials, and merchandise.Campus Safety:
Ensures a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff.Career Services:
Assists students with career exploration, job search, and internship opportunities.Disability Resource Center:
Provides support and accommodations for students with disabilities.Financial Aid:
Offers various financial aid programs and scholarships to help students fund their education.Food Services:
Provides dining options on campus.Housing & Residence Life:
Offers on-campus housing options and residence life programs.Information Technology:
Provides technical support and resources for students.Library:
Offers a vast collection of books, journals, and digital resources.Student Health:
Provides healthcare services to students.Student Organizations:
Offers a wide variety of student organizations for students to join and engage in extracurricular activities.Veterans Services:
Provides support and resources for veteran students.Student Life and Campus Experience:
UCA offers a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for students to get involved and make connections. Students can:
Join over 150 Recognized Student Organizations:
Catering to diverse interests and passions.Participate in various events and activities:
From sporting events to cultural performances.Live in on-campus housing:
With various residence halls and living learning communities.Enjoy recreational facilities:
Including a campus recreation center.Volunteer in the community:
Through service-learning opportunities.Key Reasons to Study There:
UCA Commitment:
A groundbreaking program offering a debt-free pathway for tuition and fees for incoming Arkansas freshmen with household income of $100k or less.Small class sizes:
Allowing for personalized attention from faculty.Engaging programs:
Providing hands-on learning experiences and internships.Supportive community:
Fostering a sense of belonging and success.Strong academic reputation:
With a focus on research and experiential learning.Academic Programs:
UCA offers a wide range of academic programs across five colleges:
