The Public Relations concentration in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication program prepares students for careers in public relations with an agency, corporation, or other organization. Students take courses focusing on public relations foundations, strategies, writing, campaigns, management, and technology, as well as media law.
Students with a degree in public relations are prepared to work as account coordinators, account executives, media relations specialists, and corporate communications departments.
| Communication by type of employer | Communication by job function | ||||
| Advertising | $37,500 | Advertising (based on one response) | $39,250 | ||
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation | $30,096 | Fundraising/ Development | $37,000 | ||
| Communications (Broadcasting/Telecommunications) | $32,571 | Insurance (Claims) | $38,000 | ||
| Consulting Services | $29,000 | Management Trainee (entry-level) | $29,238 | ||
| Educational Services | $35,040 | Public Relations | $31,233 | ||
| Government (Federal) | $33,000 | Reporting | $23.333 | ||
| Insurance | $40,250 | Sales | $38,000 | ||
| Legal Services | $34,167 | Teaching | $37,000 | ||
| Religious/ Grantmaking/ Professional Organizations | $30,833 | Writing/Editing | $32,000 | ||
| English by type of employer | English by job function | ||||
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation | $35,000 | Customer Service | $26,000 | ||
| Educational Services | $32,746 | Management Trainee (entry-level) | $36,000 | ||
| Government (State & Local) | $37,333 | Paralegal | $28,500 | ||
| Legal Services | $28,500 | Teaching | $32,746 | ||
| Publishing | $30,000 | Writing/Editing | $30,000 | ||
| RMU Salary Survey | Range: | Mean: | |||
| Communication (2009) | $19,200 - $38,000 | $29,633 | |||
| English (2008) | $22,000 - $32,000 | $26,500 |
Below is a typical four-year course of study for public relations students, including major requirements and some electives. Your own schedule will vary based on your own interests.
| FRESHMAN/Fall Semester | FRESHMAN/Spring Semester |
| Humanities: Art and Music | Communication elective |
| Intro. to Communication | General Psychology |
| Reading and Writing Strategies | Principles of Sociology |
| History elective | Argument & Research |
| Intro. to Decision Support Systems | Science elective |
| SOPHOMORE/Fall Semester | SOPHOMORE/Spring Semester |
| Public Speaking and Persuasion | Advertising/Comm. Strategies |
| Communication Theory | Communication elective |
| Interpersonal & Small Group Comm. | Business Professional Communication |
| Foundations of PR | Organizational Communication |
| English Lit. elective | Math Reasoning w/ Applications |
| Communication elective | Elective |
| JUNIOR/Fall Semester | JUNIOR/Spring Semester |
| Study of Rhetoric | Writing for Advertising/PR |
| Survey of Economics | Communication elective |
| Public Relations Campaigns | Communication elective |
| Communication elective | PR Practices in a Global Society |
| Elective | Journalism Law and Ethics |
| SENIOR/Fall Semester | SENIOR/Spring Semester |
| Communication Seminar | Internship |
| Internship | Elective |
| Mgmt. Tech. and Content Creation in PR | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
Lambda Pi Eta
This honor society of the National Communication Association recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement. It is open to undergraduates with a 3.0 GPA and 60 credit hours.
The Sentry
RMU's student-run newspaper allows students to gain hands-on journalism experience as members of the paper's writing and editorial staff.
The Department of Communication seeks to integrate liberal arts with technical and professional programs. It offers an innovative curriculum integrating communication and information sciences in all disciplines, providing graduates with a technical and professionally-oriented degree emphasizing applied knowledge.
In summer 2012, our school’s five departments will be housed in a new building on campus. The structure will include classrooms, computer labs, media arts studios, editing suites, a gallery, teleconferencing facilities, faculty and administrative offices, student meeting spaces, and a café.
Within walking distance to the new building are facilities that provide opportunities for students to develop expertise in a range of media. Students perform and produce plays and musicals in our theater; they produce our student newspaper, The Sentry, and our literary magazine, RUNE, in our newsroom; they produce documentaries, attend lectures and learn from visiting scholars in our Media Arts House; and they produce and host news, entertainment and sports programs in our state-of-the-art Academic Media Center’s broadcast facility and our Internet radio station.
Faculty members in the School of Communications and Information Systems are recognized for their dedication to teaching, academic research, global understanding, and professional experience. Our faculty regularly wins awards and accolades for excellence in teaching and research. As guides and mentors, they motivate students to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their field of study. Faculty members encourage students to engage in scholarly pursuits, including participation in academic conferences and professional organizations. Our faculty members hail from seven countries on four continents, helping to broaden students’ global understanding. Many lead study abroad trips and international student exchanges in Europe, South America and Asia. Finally, SCIS faculty members’ professional experience and community involvement help students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the workplace.
Scholarships are available based upon academic achievement.
For freshmen, high school grade point average and ACT/SAT scores are used. For transfer students, the cumulative grade point average of all college courses is used. Scholarships range from $1000 per year up to full tuition. (To calculate your scholarship eligibility, click here.)
Higher education is an investment in your future.
At Robert Morris University, we will work closely with you to show you how to finance your education through a combination of need-based financial aid, scholarships, and financing strategies to make your education attainable. RMU has one of the lowest tuition rates of all private institutions in the state, but we know that financing your education can be complicated, and your family might need help in understanding your options.
Talk to us—we can help!
Email us at finaid@rmu.edu
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