Program Overview

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Public Relations Program Overview

The Public Relations program at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) provides students with a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of public relations. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to succeed in the field of public relations.

How to Earn a Public Relations Degree

To earn a degree in public relations from the SOJC, students must complete the following steps:

1. Declare "public relations" as their major on their University of Oregon application.
2. Complete the SOJC platform courses.
3. Take five core context courses in media theory and analysis.
4. Complete the public relations sequence requirements.
5. Complete a minor.
6. Complete all other core education requirements.
7. Complete a PR Portfolio Review.
8. Apply for their degree.

Minimum Requirements

To graduate with an SOJC degree, students must have:

• 70+ JCOM credits
• 40 upper-division JCOM credits
• A minimum SOJC GPA of 2.70

Platform Courses

All SOJC students must complete the following platform courses:

• JCOM 101: Media Professions (4 credits)
• JCOM 102: Story Craft Audio (2 credits)
• JCOM 103: Story Craft Visual (2 credits)
• JCOM 201: Making Sense of Media (4 credits)
• JCOM 202: How Stories Work (4 credits)
• JCOM 203: Writing as Practice (4 credits)

Core Context Courses

All SOJC students must complete five classes in media theory/analysis:

• JCOM 301: Gender, Media, and Diversity (4 credits)
• JCOM 302: Communication Law (4 credits)
• JCOM 303: Media Ethics (4 credits)
• JCOM 304: Business of Media (4 credits)
• JCOM 305: Media History (4 credits) or JCOM 306: Global Communication (4 credits)

Public Relations Sequence Requirements

All public relations majors must complete the following courses:

• JCOM 370: Public Relations Fundamentals (4 credits)
• JCOM 371: Writing for Influence (4 credits)
• JCOM 372: Writing for Digital Audiences (4 credits)
• JCOM 373: Advanced Media Relations (4 credits)
• JCOM 470: Strategic Communications Research Methods (4 credits)
• JCOM 471: The PR Planning Process (4 credits)
• JCOM 472: PR Campaigns (4 credits)
• Choose one of the following:
  • JCOM 473: Topics in Public Relations Strategies (4 credits)
  • JCOM 474: Crisis Communication (4 credits)
  • JCOM 475: New Technology and Public Relations (4 credits)
  • JCOM 476: Social Media Strategies (4 credits)
  • JCOM 477: Sports Public Relations (4 credits)
  • JCOM 478: Sustainability Leadership (4 credits)

General Studies Requirements

All SOJC students must complete at least 70 non-SOJC credits. For journalism majors, choose one of the following options:

• Non-SOJC minor: See the UO Course Catalog for a list of applicable subject areas. Minors are 24-40 credits (6-10 courses).
• An SOJC minor: Select from Game Studies, Media Studies, Science Communication, or Documentary Film Production minors.
• Double-major in a program outside the SOJC: See the UO Course Catalog for a list of major options. This option cannot be completed in a traditional four-year time frame.

Academic Support and Career Advising

The SOJC's Student Success Center is available to provide undergrad academic advice and career-building tips. All undergraduate SOJC students are welcome, even if they haven't enrolled yet.