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

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 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 trends. 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 are required to pass the Grammar Module with a score of 80 percent or better before they will be allowed to register for 3000 or 4000-level courses in MCFL, MCJR, MCOM, MCPA, or MCPD.  Please visit the 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 MCFL, MCJR, MCOM, MCPA, and MCPD courses. 

The University requires all undergraduate students to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Mass Communication: Public Relations & Advertising Concentration
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) 23
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) 33
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 4,54
Degree Specific Requirements
PHIL 2306Contemporary Moral Issues 43
Select one of the following: 33
Introduction To Economics
Principles Of Macroeconomics
Principles Of Microeconomics
Foreign Language: WOLC 1411, WOLC 1412, WOLC 2311, WOLC 2312 214
Major: Foundation
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
Major: Required
MCPA 2382Design for PR & Advertising3
MCPA 3381Principles Of Public Relations3
MCPA 3382Principles of Advertising3
MCPA 3383Writing for PR & Advertising3
MCPA 3388Sales and Marketing3
MCPA 4382Advanced Writing for PR & Adv3
MCPA 4383Audience Research & Analysis3
MCPA 4384Advanced Design for Public Relations & Advertising3
MCPA 4390Campaigns for PR & Advertising3
Major: Prescribed Electives9
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 B 618
Minor: Not Required 7,8
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

Four courses in one language are required. Foreign Language Course WOLC 2311 or WOLC 2312 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) as well as a part of the Mass Communication Foreign Language requirement.

3

ECON 2300ECON 2301 or ECON 2302 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) as well as a Degree Specific requirement for Mass Communication.

4

PHIL 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as a Degree Specific requirement for Mass Communication.

5

MCOM 1130 satisfies one hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the major. 

6

Select from Option A or Option B. Option A consists of 18 credits in one Subject Area, 12 of which are Upper Level courses. Option B consists of 18 credits in Business, 12 of which are Upper Level Courses. The remaining courses for both Options are referred to as Lower Level.

7

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.

8

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

All Mass Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Mass Communication course. 

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.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

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 113041ECON 2300, 2301, or 230273
MCPA 23823MCPA 33813
POLS 230553POLS 230653
WOLC 141164WOLC 141264
 15 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCPA 33823MCPA 33883
MCPA 33833MCPA 43823
Option A or B: Lower Level86Prescribed Electives96
WOLC 231163WOLC 231263
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCOM 30261MCPA 43843
MCOM 43713MCPA 43903
MCPA 43833Option A or B: Upper Level86
Option A or B: Upper Level86Prescribed Electives93
 13 15
Total Hours: 120
1

MATH 1332 is recommended. 

2

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History). 

3

PHIL 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as a Degree Specific requirement for Mass Communication.

4

MCOM 1130 satisfies one hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the major. 

5

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

6

Four courses in one language are required. Foreign Language Course WOLC 2311 or WOLC 2312 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) as well as a part of the Mass Communication Foreign Language requirement.

7

ECON 2300ECON 2301, or ECON 2302 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) as well as a Degree Specific requirement for Mass Communication.

8

Select from Option A or Option B. Option A consists of 18 credits in one Subject Area, 12 of which are Upper Level courses. Option B consists of 18 credits in Business, 12 of which are Upper Level Courses. The remaining courses for both Options are referred to as Lower Level.

9

See Prescribed Electives Course list below. 

Prescribed Electives 9
Select three of the following:
MCOM 4022Special Topic (Limited to 3 SCH)3
MCOM 4099Independent Study (Limited to 3 SCH)3
MCOM 4393Global Media3
MCOM 4398Professional Internship3
MCPA 4381Social Marketing for PR & Adv3
MCPA 4385Social Media for PR & Adv3

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

All Mass Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Mass Communication course. 

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.

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

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 teamwork 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.