Public Relations

Program Overview

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The Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Mount Union equips students with the skills to influence communication through strategic and creative approaches. The program emphasizes audience segmentation, crisis communication, and integrated marketing, preparing graduates for leadership roles in the public relations industry. Students engage in service-learning projects and internships to hone their skills and gain practical experience.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations

The Bachelor of Arts in public relations degree from the University of Mount Union empowers students to influence how the world communicates by blending creativity with strategy. Through the program, students develop crucial skills sought by employers across the country, including audience segmentation, crisis communication, and integrated marketing communications. These skills are honed through impactful service-learning projects and internships, ensuring graduates are prepared for leadership roles in the public relations industry.

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Objectives:

• Develop the ability to research problems and opportunities, analyze stakeholder groups, and develop strategic and ethical communication programs using all media.
• Apply evaluation methods to measure program results.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the public relations process, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Develop strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Foster ethical and responsible practices in public relations.

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Outline:

The public relations major at Mount Union comprises a combination of core business curriculum and rigorous academic standards aligned with the Public Relations Society of America. The program is structured to provide a well-rounded foundation while also allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals.

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Course Schedule:

The program consists of 56 credit hours within the public relations degree program and 32 credit hours in the Integrative Core. Students can choose from a variety of major-specific electives to further specialize their knowledge and skills.

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Modules:

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Required Business Core Courses:

• Financial Accounting
• Managerial Accounting
• Introduction to Business
• Global Business
• Quantitative Methods for Business
• Legal Environment of Business
• Intro to Management Information Systems
• Planning for Meaningful Work
• Ethical Issues in Business
• Business Ethics
• Introduction to Microeconomics
• Introduction to Macroeconomics
• Corporate Finance I
• Management Principles
• Marketing Principles
• Elementary Statistics

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Required Public Relations Courses:

• Strategical Public Relations I
• Strategical Public Relations II
• Public Relations Writing
• Public Relations Cases
• Public Relations Campaigns

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Required Major-Specific Electives:

Students must choose a total of 4 credits from the following major-specific electives:

• Event Planning
• Media Copywriting
• Internship in Public Relations

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Assessment:

Students' progress in the public relations program is assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams
• Quizzes
• Projects
• Presentations
• Case studies
• Internships
• Portfolios

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Teaching:

The public relations program at Mount Union is taught by experienced faculty members who are actively involved in the field. The faculty employ a variety of teaching methods to engage students and foster critical thinking, including:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Simulations
• Role-playing
• Guest speakers
• Field trips

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Careers:

Graduates of the public relations program at Mount Union are prepared for a variety of careers in the public relations field, including:

• Social media consultant
• Event planner
• Public relations specialist
• Lobbyist
• Press secretary
Recent graduates have secured positions with organizations such as Aramark, COSI, Nationwide Insurance, Harvard University, and George Washington University. Additionally, graduates have pursued further education at top universities such as the University of Georgia, the University of Wisconsin, and The Ohio State University.