Advertising/Public Relations

Students who major in advertising/public relations prepare for careers in business, communications or mass media-related fields. Students learn the art of storytelling and work with clients as they build campaigns and combine classroom instruction with hands-on opportunities.

Advertising

Students who focus on advertising learn how advertising affects the mass media, how it is used by consumers in making strategic decisions and how it is controlled and regulated.

Students learn the art of persuasive storytelling as they create concepts and craft copy for a variety of media, including outdoor ad placements, print ads, radio scripts and TV storyboards. Through hands-on classes, students create all-encompassing media plans that include research, marketing materials, ratings and costs.

Students learn to develop campaign goals and think strategically to suggest appropriate creative, media and promotional strategies to achieve those goals using current programs and technology.

Four students in a computer lab with a shared project displayed on a big screen

Public Relations

Public relations students focus on both economic and social aspects of public relations, preparing to pursue careers in business, communications, mass media or a variety of other areas.

Students gain experience through classroom instruction and hands-on, real-life public relations opportunities. In capstone courses, students take on real clients and learn how to build a PR campaign. They complete market research and craft news releases, PSAs, pitch letters and assemble media kits. Students fine tune their writing and presentation skills and harness strategic planning and thinking to build a client brand through traditional and new media.