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 and developing the knowledge and skills they need for communicating effectively: strategic, analytical, and critical thinking; speaking and writing—the basic foundations for becoming a PR professional.
The goal of the Public Relations major is to empower students and understand public relations is all about two-way communication to build relationships with people of all types, and at all levels and across responsibilities. It is a career, not merely a job. Public relations requires responsible, data-based and thoughtful reflection, guidance and action from all levels of organizations, not just senior leaders. It requires self-awareness, oral and written communication skills, ethical decision-making and action, and the ability to understand how and what to communicate to diverse audiences based on where they are, and their wants and needs. By doing this, PR professionals generate mutual gains using a variety of communication tools (including emerging technology—AI, VR, AR, etc.) to generate a vision and lead with, through, and for others into bringing about positive change for individuals, communities, organizations and society.
This program will give students the knowledge and skills to understand true "public relations," building and maintaining relationships with people and communities in meaningful and continuous two-way conversations on a variety of platforms. The goal of any public relations effort is to build mutual trust and respect and be able to effectively formulate and advocate for a position on an issue, and influence and empower others. Graduates will be able to use the knowledge gained from this program through an understanding of theory and the practical application in the organizations (for-profit, non-profit, government and non-government entities) and industries they work in and the communities they serve.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: CO-PR-BA
Contact Information
Kathy Mueller, Department Chair
215-204-4262
kmueller@temple.edu
Steve Ryan, Assistant Professor of Instruction and Program Director, Public Relations
215-204-8506
skryan@temple.edu
Lisa D. M. Smith, Office Manager
215-204-4268
lisa.smith0005@temple.edu
Advertising and Public Relations Department Office
Annenberg Hall, Room 300
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements
- University requirements:
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
- Minimum of 48 credits in Public Relations courses and COMC 1111 or COMC 1911.
- A grade of C or higher must be attained in all required Public Relations courses and COMC 1111 or COMC 1911.
- An overall GPA of 2.0 must be attained in the major.
- No more than 12 semester hours of transfer credits may be applied to Public Relations major requirements.
- No more than 8 credits may be taken in Kinesiology and Dance activities courses.
Public Relations Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1000-Level Core Requirements | ||
| COMC 1111 | Presentations for Policy Change | 3 |
| or COMC 1911 | Honors Presentations for Policy Change | |
| PR 1101 | PRactical Grammar for Public Communications | 3 |
| PR 1112 | Communicating Leadership | 3 |
| PR 1496 | News Writing and Media Relations | 3 |
| PR 1552 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| 2000-Level Core Requirements | ||
| PR 2551 | Research Methods | 3 |
| PR 2662 | Leading Groups and Team Building | 3 |
| PR 2701 | Public Relations Theory | 3 |
| 3000-Level Core Requirements | ||
| 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 |
| PR 3301 | Industry Essentials for Public Relations | 2 |
| PR 3302 | Crisis Communication | 3 |
| PR 3587 | Public Relations Field Experience | 1 to 3 |
| 4000-Level Core Requirements | ||
| PR 4102 | Public Relations Portfolio | 3 |
| PR 4501 | Public Relations Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 48-50 | |
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 2025-2026 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| PR 1101 | PRactical Grammar for Public Communications | 3 |
| PR 1112 | Communicating Leadership | 3 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ | 4 | |
| KLN 1001 | Klein First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMC 1111 or COMC 1911 | Presentations for Policy Change or Honors Presentations for Policy Change | 3 |
| PR 1496 | News Writing and Media Relations [WI] | 3 |
| PR 1552 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| KLN 1002 | Klein College Introduction to Professional Development | 1 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PR 2551 | Research Methods | 3 |
| PR 2701 | Public Relations Theory | 3 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PR 2662 | Leading Groups and Team Building | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PR 3096 | Public Relations Writing [WI] | 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 Hours | 15 | |
| 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 Hours | 17 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PR 4102 | Public Relations Portfolio | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PR 4501 | Public Relations Capstone | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |
- 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.
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated program is available to students in the Public Relations BA:
Lew Klein College of Media and Communication