About this Program
- College: Journalism and Communications
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Public Relations
- Specializations: Corporate | Public Interest Communications
- Credits for Degree: 120
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
The Department of Public Relations provides exemplary leadership, education, and scholarship to advance public relations’ unique role and responsibilities to foster organization-public relationships through effective communication and actions in support of a civil society and democratic ideals.
Website
CONTACT
Email | 352.273.1220 (tel) | 352.273.1227 (fax)
P.O. Box 118400
2085 WEIMER HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-8400
Map
Curriculum
The Public Relations curriculum is one of the most in-depth curricula in the country, with a balance between skills and conceptual courses. The Department of Public Relations consistently ranks among the top public relations education programs in the United States, and it is among the largest programs in terms of the number of faculty and students, including one of the largest chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America. The program is housed in a college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers as public relations practitioners in businesses, public relations firms, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, nationally and internationally. Their education makes them attractive candidates for graduate degree programs (master's and Ph. D.) ranging from public relations to business and international relations.
Certificate in International Communication
Students may pursue a certificate in international communication, which is designed to prepare students for career advancement and development. Courses emphasize the impact of internationalization and globalization on communication across disciplines.
Coursework for the Major
Required Core Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENC 3252 | Writing for Strategic Communication 1 | 3 |
| JOU 3101 | Reporting 1 | 3 |
| MMC 1009 | Introduction to Media and Communications 1 | 1 |
| MMC 2121 | Writing Fundamentals for Communicators 1 | 3 |
| MMC 3203 | Ethics and Problems in Mass Communications 1 | 3 |
| MMC 3420 | Consumer and Audience Analytics 1 | 3 |
| MMC 4200 | Law of Mass Communication 1 | 3 |
| PUR 3000 | Principles of Public Relations 1 | 3 |
| PUR 3211 | Diverse Voices 1 | 1 |
| PUR 3500 | Public Relations Research 1 | 3 |
| PUR 4100 | Public Relations Writing 1 | 4 |
| PUR 4800 | Public Relations Campaigns 1 | 3 |
| VIC 3001 | Sight, Sound and Motion 1 | 3 |
| Corporate Communication electives (select three): | 9 | |
| Corporate Communication Essentials 1 | ||
| Internal Communications 1 | ||
| Crisis Communications | ||
| Corporate Reputation 1 | ||
| Integrated Communication 1 | ||
| Professional electives | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 55 | |
- 1
Minimum grade of C required.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT
All public relations students are required to have a laptop computer. Laptops must be capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud suite software. Students registered for VIC 3001, which is required of all public relations majors, must subscribe to, download, and install the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of software before class begins.
Other courses in the public relations curriculum require Microsoft Office software or equivalent, including spreadsheets and statistics software (e.g., Excel, SPSS) and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint or Keynote).
Some software is available for free or at a steep student discount through UF Apps. Please inquire with UF Apps before making software purchases.
More Info
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
SEMESTER 1
- Complete 1 of 7 critical-tracking courses: MMC 1009, POS 2041 or PSY 2012, ENC 1102, ECO 2013, VIC 3001, STA 2023, PUR 3000
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
SEMESTER 2
- Complete 3 additional critical-tracking courses: MMC 1009, POS 2041 or PSY 2012, ENC 1102, ECO 2013, VIC 3001, STA 2023, PUR 3000
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
SEMESTER 3
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course: MMC 1009, POS 2041 or PSY 2012, ENC 1102, ECO 2013, VIC 3001, STA 2023, PUR 3000
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
SEMESTER 4
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course: MMC 1009, POS 2041 or PSY 2012, ENC 1102, ECO 2013, VIC 3001, STA 2023, PUR 3000
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
SEMESTER 5
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course: MMC 1009, POS 2041 or PSY 2012, ENC 1102, ECO 2013, VIC 3001, STA 2023, PUR 3000
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
SEMESTER 6
- Complete 3 critical-tracking courses: JOU 3101, PUR 3500, MMC 3203
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
SEMESTER 7
- Complete 2 critical-tracking courses: PUR 4100, MMC 4200
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
SEMESTER 8
- Complete 1 critical-tracking course: PUR 4800
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| AMH 2020 | United States Since 1877 (State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| American State and Local Government | ||
| ENC 1101 | Expository and Argumentative Writing (State Core Gen Ed Composition) 1 | 3 |
| MMC 1009 | Introduction to Media and Communications (Critical Tracking) 1 | 1 |
| State Core Gen Ed Mathematics, pure math 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Macroeconomics (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 1 | 4 |
| ENC 1102 | Argument and Persuasion (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Composition) 1 | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| General Psychology (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences; Critical Tracking) | ||
| American Federal Government (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Theatre Appreciation 1 | ||
| Art Appreciation: American Diversity and Global Arts (State Core Gen Ed Humanities with Diversity) 1 | ||
| State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) | 3 | |
| MUL 2010 | Experiencing Music (Gen Ed Humanities with International) 1 | 3 |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 | 3 |
| VIC 3001 | Sight, Sound and Motion (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
Foreign language 1 | ||
Quantitative option | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| ENC 3252 | Writing for Strategic Communication 1 | 3 |
| MMC 2121 | Writing Fundamentals for Communicators 1 | 3 |
| PUR 3000 | Principles of Public Relations (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
Foreign language 1 | ||
Quantitative option | ||
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| MMC 3203 | Ethics and Problems in Mass Communications (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| MMC 3420 | Consumer and Audience Analytics 1 | 3 |
| MMC 4200 | Law of Mass Communication (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| PUR 3211 | Diverse Voices 1 | 1 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Speaking | ||
| Oral Performance of Literature 1 1 | ||
| Elective (outside college) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| JOU 3101 | Reporting (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| PUR 3500 | Public Relations Research (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Corporate Communications elective 1 | 3 | |
| Electives (outside college) | 4 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| PUR 4100 | Public Relations Writing (Critical Tracking) 1 | 4 |
| Professional Electives | 4 | |
| Corporate Communications elective 1 | 3 | |
| Elective (outside college) | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| PUR 4800 | Public Relations Campaigns (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Professional Electives | 6 | |
| Corporate Communications elective 1 | 3 | |
| Elective (outside college) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Minimum grade of C required.
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
The major in Public Relations enables students to develop the knowledge and skills, including analytical and communication skills, necessary for the effective practice of Public Relations. Students will learn Public Relations principles, perspectives for understanding and communicating with targeted and diverse publics and a systematic process for problem solving that emphasizes programming based on formative and evaluative research. Special attention is paid to writing skills and students will acquire the ability to write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for Public Relations practice. They will learn to use tools and relevant technologies, including new media, and students will also develop an understanding of ethical principles, including the importance of truth and accuracy, which guide Public Relations practice.
Before Graduating Students Must
- Achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on a major individual project (e.g., media kit) developed in PUR 4100 and evaluated by the class instructor.
- Achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on a comprehensive campaign plan for an organizational client, developed in the major’s capstone course, PUR 4800, and evaluated by the class instructor.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major will Learn To
Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs
Content
- Correctly identify trends, concepts, and theories relevant to effective public relations practice.
Critical Thinking
- Formulate accurate insights from research.
- Creatively and independently analyze public relations problems.
Communication
- Work effectively in teams to solve public relations problems.
- Orally present ideas and recommendations clearly and effectively.
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for public relations.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 | SLO 5 | SLO 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOU 3101 | I | |||||
| SPC 2608 or ORI 2000 | I | |||||
| PUR 3000 | I | I | I | I | R | |
| PUR 3500 | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| ENC 3254 | R | |||||
| PUR 4100 | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| VIC 3001 | R | |||||
| PUR 4800 | A | A | A | A | A | A |
ASSESSMENT TYPES
- Projects
- Exams
- Presentations