Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, offered by the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, consists of 17 Public Relations courses (minimum of 48 credit hours). In this major, students learn the theories of communication influencing how public relations (PR) is practiced while developing the knowledge base and skills they need for strategic and critical thinking, speaking and writing—the basic foundations for becoming a PR professional.

The goal of the Public Relations major is to help students understand public relations is an ongoing communication and relational process, not a position. Viewed this way, public relations requires responsible, thoughtful reflection and action from all levels of organizations, not just those in leadership positions. This approach requires competencies of self-awareness, oral and written communication skills, ethical decision-making and action, the ability to understand audiences' needs, wants and desires, and generate mutual win-win scenarios using a variety of communication tools to create a vision and lead with, through and for others to bring about positive change.

This program will build both knowledge and skills for students to understand true public relations, e.g., "relating" to publics through building a meaningful two-way continuous dialogue built on mutual trust and respect, and be able to effectively formulate a position, influence and empower others. Students will be able to use the knowledge gained from this program to bridge the divide between the theoretical and practical application in the organizations they work in (for-profit, non-profit, government and non-governmental organizations) and the communities they serve.

An optional concentration in International Communication is available for this major.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: CO-PR-BA

Contact Information

Kathy Mueller, Department Chair
215-204-4262
kmueller@temple.edu

Gregg Feistman, Assistant Chair for Public Relations
215-204-0532
gregg.feistman@temple.edu

Michelle Rambo, Senior Administrative Specialist
215-204-4268
michelle.rambo@temple.edu

Advertising and Public Relations Department Office
Annenberg Hall, Room 300

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2023-2024. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2023 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

  1. University requirements:
    1. New students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
    2. All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are PR 1496 and PR 3096.
  2. Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
  3. Minimum of 48 credits in Public Relations courses and CSI 1111 or CSI 1911.
  4. A grade of C or higher must be attained in all required Public Relations courses and CSI 1111 or CSI 1911.
  5. An overall GPA of 2.0 must be attained in the major.
  6. No more than 12 semester hours of transfer credits may be applied to Public Relations major requirements.
  7. No more than 8 credits may be taken in Kinesiology and Dance activities courses.

Public Relations Requirements

1000-Level Core Requirements
CSI 1111Introduction to Public Speaking3
or CSI 1911 Honors Introduction to Public Speaking
PR 1101PRactical Grammar for Public Communications3
PR 1112Communicating Leadership3
PR 1496News Writing and Media Relations3
PR 1552Introduction to Public Relations3
2000-Level Core Requirements
PR 2551Research Methods3
PR 2662Leading Groups and Team Building3
PR 2701Public Relations Theory3
3000-Level Core Requirements
PR 3096Public Relations Writing3
PR 3101Digital Media, Social Media, Audience Analytics for Public Relations3
PR 3201Law and Ethics in Public Relations3
PR 3202Diversity and Public Relations3
PR 3301Industry Essentials for Public Relations2
PR 3302Crisis Communication3
PR 3587Public Relations Field Experience1 to 3
4000-Level Core Requirements
PR 4102Public Relations Portfolio3
PR 4501Public Relations Capstone3
Total Credit Hours48-50

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
PR 1101 PRactical Grammar for Public Communications 3
PR 1112 Communicating Leadership 3
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL
or Honors Writing About Literature
4
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ 4
KLN 1001 Klein First-Year Seminar 1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CSI 1111
Introduction to Public Speaking
or Honors Introduction to Public Speaking
3
PR 1496 News Writing and Media Relations 3
PR 1552 Introduction to Public Relations 3
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
3
KLN 1002 Klein College Introduction to Professional Development 1
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
PR 2551 Research Methods 3
PR 2701 Public Relations Theory 3
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
PR 2662 Leading Groups and Team Building 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
PR 3096 Public Relations Writing 3
PR 3101 Digital Media, Social Media, Audience Analytics for Public Relations 3
PR 3201 Law and Ethics in Public Relations 3
PR 3202 Diversity and Public Relations 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
PR 3301 Industry Essentials for Public Relations 2
PR 3302 Crisis Communication 3
PR 3587 Public Relations Field Experience 1 2
Electives 10
 Credit Hours17
Year 4
Fall
PR 4102 Public Relations Portfolio 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Spring
PR 4501 Public Relations Capstone 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Electives 10
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours124
1

This program requires a minimum of 124 credits. If students choose to take PR 3587 Public Relations Field Experience for less than 2 credits, they may need to take one additional elective credit to reach a total of 124 credits.

Optional Concentration

The optional International Communication Concentration (ICC) provides a theoretical and practical education in international and intercultural communication and media. This program allows students to develop sought-after competencies in cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills by encouraging students to reflect on their own cultural lenses. Students participating in the ICC program will be exposed to multiple international perspectives through internationally- and interculturally-oriented courses offered on Temple's domestic campuses and may be supplemented with study abroad coursework.

This concentration is restricted to Klein students only.

Requirements

To earn the International Communication Concentration transcript notation, a student must successfully complete a total of 18-20 credits of International / Intercultural studies courses, a maximum 9 credits of which may come from courses transferred into Temple, across 3 areas. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the concentration must be passed with a C- or better.

Common Course
Select one of the following:3
Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
Klein International/Intercultural courses
Select three of the following:9
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR courses taken as part of a Klein Global Opportunities Program, or at a Temple University Overseas Campus (e.g., Temple Rome or Temple Japan)
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR Internship completed as part of a Klein Global Opportunities International Program
Intercultural and Cross Cultural Conflict
Communication, Culture and Identity
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace (if not used to fulfill common course requirement above)
International Reporting
Journalism and Globalization
Media and Cultural Differences
Communication and Development
Information Society
Global Media
Global Communication and Leadership
International/Intercultural Electives outside of Klein
Note: Satisfying the GenEd World Society requirement by completing a Study Abroad does not also satisfy this requirement.
Choose any two (2) courses of the following:6-8
Up to any two foreign language courses
Any non-Klein courses at the 2000-level or higher taken in a Klein Global Opportunities Int’l Program, or at a Temple University Overseas Campus (e.g., Temple Rome or Temple Japan)
Any non-Klein internship taken in a Klein Global Opportunities International Program
Anthropology
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
The Anthropology of Modern China
The Anthropology of Modern China
Peoples of Latin America
Peoples of Latin America
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
Art History
ARTH 2102
Roman Art and Archaeology
Greek and Roman Sculpture
Early Modern Italy and Spain in the 17th Century
Northern and Global Baroque Art: Art in the Age of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer
Transnational Impressionisms
Modern Art, 1900-1945
Arts of Asia
History of Art in Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Art and Culture in Ancient Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Wonders of Rome: Art and Culture of the Baroque Era (Study Abroad - Rome)
Galleries and Studios of Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Arts of Asia (Study Abroad - Japan)
Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period (Study Abroad - Japan)
Asian Studies
Practical Asian Society and Culture
Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868
Tokyo in Literature and Film
Tokyo in Literature and Film
Japanese Literature in Film
Japanese Literature in Film
Japan in a Changing World
South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences
Japanese Culture
Japanese Culture
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to Asian Business
Ideology and Social Change in Japan
Ideology and Social Change in Japan
China: State and Society
China: State and Society
Contemporary China
Contemporary China
Japan Today
Japan Today
Women and Society in Japan
Women and Society in Japan
Film & Media Arts
International Cinema
Geography & Urban Studies
Urban Systems in a Global Economy
African Development
East and South Asia
Geography of East and South Asia
International Urbanization
Environmental Problems in Asia
Environmental Problems in Asia
Environmental Problems in Asia
Geography of Travel and Tourism
Transportation & Culture
History
History of Central Europe, 1618-1871
Central Europe Through Wars and Revolution, 1848-1989
Introduction to East Asia: China
Introduction to East Asia: China
Introduction to East Asia: Japan
Introduction to East Asia: Japan
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to African History
Introduction to Latin America
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
Modern Islamic History
Third World Issues through Film
Irish History
History of England
Russia: Nationality and Empire
Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire
Southern Africa: A History
The Chinese Revolution
Modern India
History of Vietnam
History of Brazil
History of Brazil
Contemporary Mexico
Contemporary Mexico
Israel: History, Politics and Society
Modern Middle East
Third World Women's Lives
Jewish Studies
Jewish Diaspora/Survey of Jewish History
Latin American Studies
Latin America through Film and Fiction
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America
Fundamentals of Latin American Business
Fundamentals of Latin American Business
Historical Continuity and Social Change in Latin America
Sociology of Music: Nation, Race, Class and Gender in Argentina and Brazil
"Other Voices" in Latin American Literature
Caribbean Literature and Culture
African Culture in Brazil
Political Science
Contemporary Politics of Europe
Eastern Europe, Russia and the West
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America
Comparative Public Policy
Politics of International Law
Politics of the Global Economy
International Organization
British Government and Politics
Mideast Politics
East Asia and the United States
East Asia and the United States
International Environmental Policy
International Environmental Policy
Religion
Religion and Human Sexuality
Religion in Film
Indian Philosophies and Religions
Religions of India
Introduction to Buddhism
Introduction to Buddhism
Chinese Religions - Confucius to Mao
Zen Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Introduction to Judaism
Introduction to Judaism
Kabbalah and Mysticism
Kabbalah and Mysticism
Jesus in the Media
Introduction to Islam
Religion in Contemporary Africa
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen
Japanese Religions
Japanese Religions
The Philosophies of Judaism
The Philosophies of Judaism
The Islamic State
Women in Islam
Islamic Mysticism
African Religions and New World Culture
Total Credit Hours18-20

Contact Information

Jack Klotz, MSP Faculty Advisor
Annenberg Hall, Room 115
215-204-5823
jklotz@temple.edu