Public Relations is designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs as technicians, such as producing social media strategies and tactics or effective multimedia news releases, as well as for career advancement as managers, such as formulating a communication plan for a new initiative or forecasting the reputational impact of an organizational decision or action. Excellent writing and critical thinking skills are essential.
Section MenuTo graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
The Department of Public Relations provides exemplary leadership, education, and scholarship to advance public relations’ unique role and responsibilities to foster organization-public relationships through effective communication and actions in support of a civil society and democratic ideals.
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Email | 352.273.1220 (tel) | 352.273.1227 (fax)
P.O. Box 118400
2085 WEIMER HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-8400
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The public relations curriculum is one of the most in-depth curricula in the country, with a balance between skills and conceptual courses. The Department of Public Relations consistently ranks among the top public relations education programs in the United States, and it is among the largest programs in terms of the number of faculty and students, including one of the largest chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America. The program is housed in a college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers as public relations practitioners in businesses, public relations firms, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, nationally and internationally. Their education makes them attractive candidates for graduate degree programs (master's and Ph. D.) ranging from public relations to business and international relations.
Students may pursue a certificate in international communication, which is designed to prepare students for career advancement and development. Courses emphasize the impact of internationalization and globalization on communication across disciplines.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENC 3252 | Writing for Strategic Communication 1 | 3 |
| JOU 3101 | Reporting 1 | 3 |
| MMC 1009 | Introduction to Media and Communications 1 | 1 |
| MMC 2121 | Writing Fundamentals for Communicators 1 | 3 |
| MMC 3203 | Ethics and Problems in Mass Communications 1 | 3 |
| MMC 3420 | Consumer and Audience Analytics 1 | 3 |
| MMC 4200 | Law of Mass Communication | 3 |
| PUR 3000 | Principles of Public Relations 1 | 3 |
| PUR 3211 | Diverse Voices 1 | 1 |
| PUR 3500 | Public Relations Research 1 | 3 |
| PUR 4100 | Public Relations Writing 1 | 4 |
| PUR 4800 | Public Relations Campaigns 1 | 3 |
| VIC 3001 | Sight, Sound and Motion 1 | 3 |
| Professional electives | 19 | |
| Total Credits | 55 | |
Minimum grade of C required.
All students are required to have a laptop computer which is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud suite software. Students registered for VIC 3001 , which is required of all Public Relations majors, must subscribe to, download, and install the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of software before class begins.
Other courses in the curriculum require Microsoft Office software or equivalent, including spreadsheets and statistics software (e.g., Excel, SPSS) and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint or Keynote).
Some software is available for free or at a steep student discount through UF Apps. Please inquire with UF Apps before making software purchases.
More Info
The major in Public Relations enables students to develop the knowledge and skills, including analytical and communication skills, necessary for the effective practice of public relations. Students will learn Public Relations principles, perspectives for understanding, and communicating with targeted and diverse publics and a systematic process for problem solving that emphasizes programming based on formative and evaluative research. Special attention is paid to writing skills and students will acquire the ability to write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for Public Relations practice. They will learn to use tools and relevant technologies, including new media, and students will also develop an understanding of ethical principles, including the importance of truth and accuracy, which guide Public Relations practice.
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 | SLO 5 | SLO 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOU 3101 | I | |||||
| SPC 2608 or ORI 2000 | I | |||||
| PUR 3000 | I | I | I | I | R | |
| PUR 3500 | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| ENC 3254 | R | |||||
| PUR 4100 | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| VIC 3001 | R | |||||
| PUR 4800 | A | A | A | A | A | A |
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Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
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