Public Relations Majors
Download the Public Relations Major Handout
Anchored in the classical liberal arts field known as rhetoric, public relations (PR) has developed into a high-tech profession using sophisticated strategies and tactics to communicate on behalf of businesses, governments and nonprofits. PR pros use writing, photography, graphic design and digital multimedia platforms to manage media relations, crisis communications, consumer relations, employee relations and community relations, to name a few. PR pros are employed everywhere from the White House to your local hospital.
Franklin’s PR major is housed in the college’s Pulliam School of Journalism. The PR program tracks and evaluates student learning using national guidelines (The Degree Qualifications Profile) developed by the Lumina Foundation to ensure delivery of a high-quality bachelor’s degree.
Do It Your Way
You’ll work closely with your academic adviser to choose the best option below, based on your interests and goals.
Option A: Related Field
- Student chooses the PR major and a related field (12 credit hours) from any other academic area at Franklin College.
Option B: Minor
- Student chooses the PR major and a minor from any other major area of study available at Franklin College; and you meet the catalog requirements of the department offering the minor.
Option C: Double Major
- Student chooses the PR major and any other major at the college; and you meet the catalog requirements of both major departments.
BRJ 400 - Advanced On-air Storytelling 3 credits
BRJ 450 - Broadcast Journalism Special Project 3 credits
MMJ 001 - Student Media 1 credits
MMJ 002 - Statehouse File 1 credits
MMJ 004 - Radio Station 1 credits
MMJ 005 - TV News 1 credits
MMJ 007 - Media Manager 2 credits
MMJ 120 - Ethics and Professional Development 2 credits
MMJ 125 - Multimedia Reporting and Interviewing 2 credits
MMJ 130 - News Writing 2 credits
MMJ 135 - Editing for Print and Online 2 credits
MMJ 140 - Broadcast News Writing 2 credits
MMJ 150 - Intro Digital Photography and Audio Report 2 credits
MMJ 155 - Video for Digital Journalism 2 credits
MMJ 160 - Using Databases in News Gathering 2 credits
MMJ 180 - Publication Design 3 credits
MMJ 201 - In-depth News Writing 2 credits
MMJ 202 - On-air Performance 2 credits
MMJ 203 - On-air Production 2 credits
MMJ 250 - Multimedia Storytelling 3 credits
MMJ 300 - Topics in Multimedia News 3 credits
MMJ 360 - Design for the Internet 3 credits
MMJ 380 - Practicum 1 credits
MMJ 445 - Communication Law in a Digital World 3 credits
MMJ 490 - Multimedia Journalism Independent Study 1 credits
MMJ 498 - Multimedia Portfolio 0 credits
MMJ 499 - Multimedia Storytelling Senior Project 0 credits
NWS 400 - Advanced In-depth News Writing 3 credits
NWS 450 - In-depth Storytelling Project 3 credits
PRL 150 - Intro Digital Photography and Audio Report 2 credits
PRL 155 - Video for Digital Journalism 2 credits
PRL 180 - Publication Design 3 credits
PRL 221 - Public Relations Practice Areas 3 credits
PRL 231 - Service Learning in Public Relations 3 credits
PRL 300 - Topics in Public Relations 3 credits
PRL 321 - Current and Emerging Media in Public Relat 3 credits
PRL 333 - Public Relations Writing 3 credits
PRL 360 - Design for the Internet 3 credits
PRL 380 - Practicum in Public Relations 1 credits
PRL 445 - Communication Law in a Digital World 3 credits
PRL 490 - Public Relations Independent Study 1 credits
PRL 493 - Public Relations Senior Projects Seminar 3 credits
PRL 495 - Senior Seminar in Public Relations Hist 3 credits
PRL 498 - Portfolio Development Seminar 0 credits
PRL 499 - Senior Competency Seminar 0 credits
Internships
Public Relations Major
One minute, you’re writing a news release. The next minute, you’re taking a call from a TV news reporter on a tight deadline. A few minutes later, you’re updating a half dozen social media outlets. Then you’re off to host a news conference, after which, you review a script for a video you hope will go globally viral. You spend an hour designing print and online materials for a special event you’re promoting. You help run a research focus group, then put the finishing touches on plans for a satellite media tour. You’re texting, phoning, emailing, brainstorming, problem-solving, meeting people, making contacts, setting up photo shoots, writing, writing, writing, having fun, being creative. And, as a PR pro, that’s just your morning.
What is PR?
Anchored in the classical liberal arts field known as rhetoric, public relations has developed into a high-tech profession using sophisticated strategies and tactics to communicate on behalf of businesses, governments and nonprofits. PR pros use writing, photography, graphic design, and digital multi-media platforms to manage media relations, crisis communications, consumer relations, employee relations, and community relations, to name a few. PR pros are employed everywhere from the White House to your local hospital.
Hallmarks of the Profession
Hallmarks of the profession include, but are certainly not limited to, a) a commitment to freedom of speech and expression; b) clear, concise and compelling writing; c) an understanding of and appreciation for journalism’s role in a democracy; d) appreciation of and commitment to multicultural awareness; e) mass media literacy; f) critical thinking and problem-solving skills; g) adherence to the codes of ethics of the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators.
Do It Your Way
You’ll work closely with your academic adviser to choose the best option below, based on your interests and goals.
Option A: Related Field
Student chooses the PR major and a related field (12 credit hours) from any other academic area at Franklin College.Option B: Minor
Student chooses the PR major and a minor from any other major area of study available at Franklin College; and you meet the catalog requirements of the department offering the minor.Option C: Double Major
Student chooses the PR major and any other major at the college and you meet the catalog requirements of both major departments.Know This for a Pop Quiz
Franklin College is the alma mater of one of the key historical figures in American public relations – Elmer Davis, who directed the Office of War Information for President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II.