Program Description

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.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Prepare students for careers in public relations.
2. Teach beginning to advanced interviewing and writing skills, with a focus on news, feature and persuasive writing strategies and techniques. (SLO #2)
3. Teach students key concepts, theories, and skills essential to effective practice of the public relations discipline.
4. Introduce students to important communication strategies and tactics through visual and online communication.
5. Assess communication needs, research, strategies, tactics and evaluation methods through analysis of case studies in public relations. (SLO #1)
6. Teach the process for developing a comprehensive public relations campaign proposal.
7. Award appropriate academic credit for internships that prepare students for full-time jobs.
8. Lead students to create a portfolio/e-portfolio of professional-quality public relations pieces for internship and job placement.
9. Encourage an understanding of issues of diversity, ethics, and a local-versus-global perspective in the approach to public relations problems and opportunities.
10. Prepare students for the transition from university life to life in the workplace and community through networking opportunities, work with client organizations in Public Relations courses, student organizations (such as KSU Public Relations Student Society of America), and special speakers in classrooms.

 This program is a part of the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences .

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

Admission to this program is open to all students who meet Kennesaw State University’s general admission standards. Visit the Admissions  section of the Catalog for more details.

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment requirements. 

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements