Public Relations at Macomb Center
PLEASE NOTE: COM 3400 will be offered at the University Center (Macomb) fall 2009 as part of the department's commitment to offering the full undergraduate degree in public relations out there.
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Public Relations is an exciting and challenging field which demands individuals with excellent communication skills and training. Most public relations classes are taught by faculty members who have professional experience in addition to their academic training. The practical applications of ethics are carefully considered. The program pays special attention to effective written and oral communication as well as developing a fundamental understanding of human communication and research methods.
Public relations employment is diverse. Communications companies, television and radio stations, theatres, sports teams, corporations and non-profit organizations, trade associations, government and educational institutions all need people with good communication and writing skills in public relations.
This Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations major has been specifically designed for students at the University Macomb Center.
Requirements:
SPCH 1400 - Mass Media Communication in a Global Culture (3 cr) fulfills WSU COM-1500
JOUR 1100 – Writing News for Publication (3 cr) fulfills WSU COM 2100
SPCH 2110 – Persuasion (3cr) fulfills WSU COM 2170
WSU courses at the
COM 2030 - Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 cr)
COM 2160 - (PL) Contemporary Persuasive Campaigns and Movements (4 cr)
COM 3170 - Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 cr)
COM 3210 – (CL) News Editing (4 cr)
COM 3250 - Introduction to Organizational Communication (3 cr)
COM 3400 - Theories of Communication (3 cr)
COM 4170 – (WI) Public Relations Writing (3 cr). This course is the designated writing intensive course for the major.
COM 4210 - Introduction to Research Methods in Communication and Public Relations (3 cr)
COM 5130 - Communication and Social Marketing (3 cr)
COM 5160 - Public Relations Campaigns (3 credits). Senior level capstone course. To be taken in the last 21 hours of study.
COM 5210 - Newsletters and Corporate Publications - Publishing (4 cr) -OR- COM 5300 – Desktop Publishing (4 cr)
You must complete all courses in the College of Fine, Performing Communication Arts with a C (2.0) or better. This also includes all transfer credits that may be applicable to the major programs. You must also complete the university’s general education and competency requirements as well as the college’s group requirements, which include completion of a foreign language through the third semester.
Advising
Careful planning is required to assure timely completion of the program. You should consult an adviser as soon as you decide to enroll in the Public Relations program. You are expected to follow the published curriculum for your major and to consult regularly with an adviser.
Special Activities
Coursework is only one part of your undergraduate education. Employers pay close attention to the types of activities in which applicants participated as students. There are many valuable activities in which to participate on campus. The Department of Communication sponsors the Wayne State University chapter of the Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA) – see below, as well as the nationally acclaimed debate and speech teams. In addition, you are encouraged to participate in such activities as student government and the student newspaper (South End).
PRSSA
The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a national pre-professional organization which was established in 1968. Membership in Wayne State's PRSSA chapter offers many opportunities and benefits. Some of these opportunities include luncheons with the Detroit Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) group, attending workshops and district or national conferences. Members can also participate in national PRSSA competitions and are eligible for scholarships. The Wayne chapter also has its own newsletter which members may involve themselves in writing and producing. However, they may choose to write for PRSSA's district or national newsletter. Contact the faculty sponsor, Dr. Shelly Najor, for more information at (313) 577-1556 or via e-mail: m.a.najor@wayne.edu
Contact Wayne State University - University Center at Macomb
44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township,
(586) 263-6700 or (313) 577-6261
e-mail: ucm@wayne.edu
www.macomb.wayne.edu