Public Relations, B.S.

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 one of only three universities 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 and Atlanta 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 program of study.

All communication majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all communication courses counted toward their degree and pass the Communication Entrance Exam with a score of 78% 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 (SOCM) Sophomore GPA Requirement. This Sophomore GPA requirement consists of combined adjusted 2.75 GPA in the following five courses:
  • COM 2020  
  • COM 2033  
  • COM 2129  
  • COM 2135  
  • COM 2240  
• Achieve a satisfactory score of 78% or higher the SOCM Entrance Exam. Students may take the test no more than three times.