Public Relations B.S.

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Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree
Office: College of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Communication & Media
Phone: (470) 578-6298

The Public Relations major at Kennesaw State University offers a professionally-focused, marketplace-relevant, and theoretically-rigorous academic program for aspiring public relations communicators throughout Metro Atlanta and Northwest Georgia. Kennesaw State is the only university in the state of Georgia to offer a specific major in the ever-evolving discipline of Public Relations. The major offers students a public relations education that includes public relations principles, case study analysis, public relations writing, crisis communication, graphic design for organizational publications, persuasion methods and strategies, and use of social media and other multi-media communication strategies in public relations. Internships and study tours to New York public relations agencies supplement the traditional classroom and online learning settings.

The major requires 18 credit hours of lower division course work (1000-2000 level) comprising various offerings, both inside and outside of the communication discipline, that serve as important groundwork leading to advanced studies. Lower division offerings include basic courses in communication research, visual communication, public speaking, writing, information systems, and an introductory course relevant to the student’s selected concentration.

All communication majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all communication courses counted toward their degree and pass the Communication grammar competency exam with a score of 70% or higher. Students who fail to pass the grammar test in three attempts must pursue majors in other departments.

To be eligible to apply to a major in Public Relations, students must meet the following criteria:

Meet the School of Communication & Media Sophomore GPA Requirement. This Sophomore GPA requirement consists of combined adjusted 2.50 GPA in the following five courses:
- COM 2020
- COM 2033
- COM 2129
- COM 2135
- COM 2230
  or
- COM 2205
Achieve a satisfactory score on the School of Communication & Media Writing Test. Students may take the test no more than three times.

General Education (42 Credit Hours)

See listing of requirements.

Lower Division Major Requirement (Area F) (18 hours)

Upper Division Major Requirements (21 Credit Hours)

Major Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Choose four from the courses below:

Upper Division Electives (3 Credit Hours)

Students may choose from any PR or COM course not previously taken. The list below provides recommended electives for Public Relations majors. Please take into account any prerequisites required. (These courses may also be taken as Free Electives.)

Related Studies (12 Credit Hours)

Upper division coursework (3000-4000 level) outside of the School of Communication & Media.

Free Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Any course (1000-4000) in the university curriculum (including PR/COM), with a grade of “D” or better.

Program Total (120 Credit Hours)

University-Wide Degree Requirements

See listing of requirements.