COMMUNICATION
ADVERTISING, PUBLIC RELATIONS

Description of Major
The goal of the School of Communication is to provide a broad-based set of intellectual and communication skills which prepare one for a career in the communication field. While some majors are professionally oriented and others stress theory and a liberal education, each gives the student a broad understanding of fundamental communication processes and also provides flexibility to tailor coursework around individual student needs. Advertising students will focus on account management, creative strategy, media planning and research skills. Public Relations students will concentrate on public relations writing, tactics, research and campaign management skills. Note: Specific information related to this interest area is subject to change.  Please check with the School of Communication prior to submitting your application.

Prerequisite Coursework: 
18 hours outside the major and beyond Liberal Studies. 
Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “College Students” section of http://FACTS.org.

Admission Requirements to Major Program of Studies
The School of Communication is a limited access program, restricted by both total numbers of students in each major and minimum grade point average required for application. Each major operates with a different enrollment cap. Achievement of the minimum application GPA does not guarantee admission to a communication major; all admissions are competitive. Admission criteria are available from the School. An application package must be completed and submitted to the School of Communication, see http://www.comm.cci.fsu.edu/. Minimum requirements for review of application include: an overall GPA of 3.0 on all college coursework attempted; completed application package submitted to the School of Communication on or before the first business day in February for each year; and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must have completed 43 hours of college coursework by the end of the semester of application. Applicants are encouraged to enroll in a foreign language, computing statistics, speaking, and writing courses. Acceptance by a faculty committee will be based on a review of the application and transcript, and other relevant materials in light of the published admissions criteria. By the end of the spring semester in which the student is applying for admission, s/he must successfully complete two Liberal Studies English courses and two Liberal Studies math courses as accepted by FSU.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system.  Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion.  Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors.  You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Major Program of Studies at FSU:  39 hours
39 hours are required to complete the major. No grade below a C- will be accepted for any major course. Maintenance of a 2.8 cumulative GPA is required. The School of Communication reserves the right to refuse admission or discontinue enrollment of any student at any time, if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student does not meet departmental or major standards.
Advertising and Public Relations Core courses (15 hours):
ADV 3008 (3) Principles of Advertising
ADV 3352 (3) Mass Media Law
PUR 3000 (3) Introduction to Public Relations
COM 3110 (3) Communication for Business and the Professions
ADV 4500 (3) Advertising Research
Emphasis Area (12-13 hours). 
Student complete either the Advertising or Public Relations area requirements:
Advertising (12 hours)
ADV 3001 (3) Creative Strategy I
ADV 4800 (3) Creative Strategy II
ADV 4300 (3) Media Planning
COM 4470 (3) Desktop Multimedia
Public Relations (13 hours)
PUR 3100 (3) Writing for Public Relations
PUR 3002 (3) Public Relations Techniques
PUR 3930 (1) Public Relations Pro-seminar
PUR 4600 (3) Public Relations Management: Cases and Campaign Strategies
SPC 4605 (3) Principles of Speechwriting
Internship (6-9 hours)
Students are required to enroll in a minimum of six hours of internship (COM 4945r for advertising majors; PUR 4940r for public relations majors), but a maximum of nine hours may be credited toward the Advertising or Public Relations major.
Electives in the major to bring the total major coursework hours to a minimum of 39.

Minor coursework:  12 hours or more.
All work must be in a department other than Communication, with the exception of a minor in Hispanic Marketing Communication. All work counted toward the minor must be C- or higher. Suggested minors include: Business, Psychology, English, Journalism (FAMU), Political Science,  and others depending on career objectives.  Check with the minor department for specific requirements.

Language requirement.
Students formally admitted into any program in the School of Communication must achieve proficiency in one language other than English prior to graduation. Students may fulfill this requirement through: modern/classical language, or business language.  Students may satisfy this requirement through testing or by taking courses.  All courses taken to meet this requirement must be taken for a letter grade; S-U grading (other than test credit) will not be accepted.  See the University Bulletin or contact the department for more information. 

Computer Skills Competency:  0 beyond major requirements.  CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or COM 4470 (3). 

Oral Communication Competency:  0 beyond major requirements
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly.  This requirement may be met through appropriate high school speech training or with an approved college-level course.  COM 3110 will meet this requirement.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
Liberal Studies 36
Major Coursework 39
Minor Coursework 12 or more
Language Requirement 0-12 (depending on language placement)
Computer Skills Competency 0 beyond major coursework
Oral Communication Competency 0 beyond major coursework
Electives to bring total credits to 120

Remarks:
1.  A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, thirty of which must be taken at this University.
2.  Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3.  The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. The B. A. degree requires a foreign language through the intermediate (2200) level or equivalent

Employment Information
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Layout Coordinator, Benefits Manager, Lobbyist, Account Manager, Employee Service/Welfare Manager, Public Relations Manager, Creative Director, Fundraiser, Marketing Researcher/Analyst, Labor Relations Consultant, Media Relations Coordinator, Production Department Assistant, Marketing Researcher, Promotions Worker, Project Manager, Personnel Manager, Special Events Coordinator, Promotional Manager, Publicity Director, Writer.

Representative Employers: Advertising Agencies/Departments, Marketing Departments, Publishing Companies, Consulting Firms, News and Information Offices, Radio/Television/Cable Companies, Corporate Communications Offices, Newspapers, Theatres, Government Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, Universities, Lobby Organizations, Public Relations Firms, Video Production Companies, Human Resources Departments, Personnel Departments, Training Departments.

Updated:  Summer, 2011