Program Overview

Program Overview

Colorado State University Online offers a variety of programs, including Bachelor's Degrees, Master's Degrees, Ph.D. & Doctoral Degrees, Grad Certificates, Courses, and Professional Education.

Degree Programs

• Bachelor's Degrees
• Master's Degrees
• Ph.D. & Doctoral Degrees
• Grad Certificates

Course Offerings

• Undergraduate Minors, Certificates, & Training
• Professional Development & Training
• Credit Courses
• Noncredit Courses
• All-University Core Curriculum
• Free Online Courses
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Course Details

JTC 350 - Public Relations and Advertising

This course explores the basic techniques public relations practitioners use to help shape the way an organization is perceived. The course is designed to help students:

• Understand the nature of public relations and its relation to similar disciplines
• Learn behavioral foundations for effective communications between an organization and its publics
• Demonstrate the process of organizing a public relations/communications program/campaign
• Understand basic techniques used in public relations
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of common public relations principles: truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity

Textbooks and Materials

Textbook listings are available at the CSU Bookstore about 3 weeks prior to the start of the term.

Instructors

Zachary McFarlane

Zachary McFarlane has been in the marketing and communications field for over two decades. He teaches students how to successfully plan and launch communications plans that break through the noise, creating meaning and deepening relationships between organizations and stakeholders.

Section Details

Section 801 (Online)

• Date: Jan 20 - May 10, 2026 (16 wks.)
• Time: Asynchronous
• Drop and withdrawal deadlines:
  • 100% tuition and fees refunded: February 4, 2026
  • 50% tuition refunded with 'W' grade: March 23, 2026
  • No tuition refunded and 'W' grade: April 17, 2026
• Instructors: Zachary McFarlane
• Tuition: $1,470

Quality Course Seal

The Green Quality Course seal of approval is given to an undergraduate course that passes a rigorous review process to ensure accessibility and design standards are met through an internal Quality Matters (QM) review, which evaluates course design.