Bachelor of Arts, Major in Mass Communication: Public Relations & Advertising

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Public Relations & Advertising

Today’s marketplace increasingly requires communication practitioners to understand both traditional and new media and to be able to integrate communication tools across once-separate disciplines. Students who choose the Public Relations & Advertising Concentration will participate in a program that will provide a strong grounding in analytical and creative thought and comprehensive understanding of current industry changes. Students are required to complete the MCOM six-course core and then focus on a sequence of public relations and advertising courses that combines theoretical perspectives with hands-on experience. Students can also choose to enhance their portfolios and field experiences by taking elective courses such as the Professional Internship and Priority One, an on-campus agency.

Graduates of this concentration will have command of tools and techniques required for jobs in strategic communication in both corporate and non-profit environments. Additionally, graduates will have expertise in using those tools and techniques to think critically and creatively to solve communication problems in management-level positions.

Requirements

All students who choose to declare a major or minor in Mass Communication or Ag/Com will be required to pass the Pearson Grammar Competency Lab with a score of 80 percent or better before they will be allowed to register for 3000 or 4000-level courses in MCOM.  The lab is offered free of charge. Please, visit Grammar Module for additional information. 

All students declaring a major or minor in Mass Communication or Ag/Com are required to receive a grade of C or better in all MCOM courses. 

All undergraduate students are required to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Mass Communication: Public Relations & Advertising
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (US History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Degree Specific Requirements
PHIL 2306Contemporary Moral Issues 23
Select one of the following: 33
Introduction To Economics
Principles Of Macroeconomics
Principles Of Microeconomics
Foreign Language - 14 Hours - 4 Courses (WOLC 1411, WOLC 1412, WOLC 2311, WOLC 2312): 414
Mass Communication Core (14 hours)
MCOM 1130Media Literacy 51
MCOM 1330Media, Culture and Society (Writing Enhanced)3
MCOM 1332Writing For Mass Media (Writing Enhanced)3
MCOM 2371TV & Film Production3
MCOM 3026Media Practicum1
MCOM 4371Mass Media Law And Ethics (Writing Enhanced)3
Courses Required for Concentration (27 hours)
MCOM 2382Design for PR & Advertising3
MCOM 3381Principles Of Public Relations3
MCOM 3382Principles of Advertising3
MCOM 3383Writing for PR & Advertising3
MCOM 3385Advanced Writing for PR & Adv3
MCOM 3388Sales and Marketing3
MCOM 4383Audience Research & Analysis3
MCOM 4384Advanced Design for Public Relations & Advertising3
MCOM 4390Campaigns for PR & Advertising3
Concentration Electives (9 hours)9
Media Practicum
Special Topic (Limited to 3 SCH)
Independent Study (Limited to 3 SCH)
Social Marketing for PR & Adv
Social Media for PR & Adv
Global Media
Professional Internship
Select Option A or B18
Option A: 18 Credits in 1 Subject Area, 12 Upper Level
Option B: 18 Credits in Business, 12 Upper Level
Total Hours120

Notes

Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. All students must complete at least 120 hours to graduate.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area I3Component Area I3
Component Area II13Component Area III4
HIST 130123HIST 130223
MCOM 1330 (Writing Enhanced)3MCOM 13323
PHIL 230633MCOM 23713
 15 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area V3
MCOM 113041MCOM 33813
MCOM 23823ECON 2300, 2301, or 230263
POLS 230553POLS 230653
WOLC 141164WOLC 141264
 15 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCOM 33823MCOM Concentration Elective96
MCOM 33833MCOM 33853
Option A or B: Lower Division Course86MCOM 33883
WOLC 231163WOLC 231263
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCOM 30261MCOM Concentration Elective93
MCOM 43713MCOM 43843
MCOM 43833MCOM 43903
Option A or B: Upper Division Course86Option A or B: Upper Division Course86
 13 15
Total Hours: 120
MCOM Concentration Elective Courses 9
Select three of the following:
MCOM 3026Media Practicum3
MCOM 4022Special Topic (Limited to 3 SCH)3
MCOM 4099Independent Study (Limited to 3 SCH)3
MCOM 4381Social Marketing for PR & Adv3
MCOM 4385Social Media for PR & Adv3
MCOM 4393Global Media3
MCOM 4398Professional Internship3

Notes

Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. All students must complete at least 120 hours to graduate.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BA in Mass Communication: Public Relations & Advertising is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Utilize leadership, critical thinking, and team-working skills.
  • Conduct the collection, analysis, and management of digital data.
  • Conceptualize and produce original and creative media.
  • Produce media campaigns for social and digital platforms.