Buffalo State University 13 courses 120 total credits
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (Accredited) This major allows students flexibility to tailor a program based on strategic communication through the disciplines of public relations, advertising, social media, and related fields. It meets the needs of students preparing for a career in which research, strategic planning, implementation of creative communication tactics, and evaluation are central, whether to advance an organization, promote a product, or advocate a cause. Compare this major with communication studies, journalism, and media production. See Communications Department Website. This is the only bachelor's degree program in public relations and advertising at any SUNY institution that is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Only a handful of other undergraduate programs in New York State are accredited. Career Opportunities Students in public relations and advertising prepare for careers in public relations, social media, and advertising, as well as fundraising, organizational communication, research, lobbying, marketing communication, and other fields that require a liberal arts education enhanced with communication expertise. The profile of a successful public relations and advertising graduate is a person with strong writing and speaking proficiency, keen ethical insight, competence in research and planning, and skill in working effectively both independently and in teams. Academic Standards Only grades of C or higher may be applied toward requirements for any communication degree; courses with lower grades must be repeated. Consistent with standards of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, the number of communication courses that students may take is capped, encouraging a broad-based liberal arts education. The department encourages students to take minors or second majors and requires evidence of an academic concentration or area of expertise outside the Communication Department.
| General Education 23 Requirements | 33 credits |
| Public Relations & Advertising Major Requirements | 42 credits |
| Communications Electives | 6 credits |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 credits |
Communication Core
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM 100 | Media Literacy | 3 |
| COM 210 | Introduction to Media Writing | 3 |
| COM 215 or COM 212 | Introduction to Visual Communication or Introduction to Digital Storytelling | 3 |
| SPC 205 | Introduction to Oral Communication | 3 |
| Total Communication Core | 12 credits | |
Major Requirements
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM 301 | Principles of Public Relations and Advertising | 3 |
| SPC 307 | Group Communicaton | 3 |
| COM 308 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| COM 322 | Communication Graphics | 3 |
| COM 336 | Web and Social Media Production | 3 |
| COM 401 | Applied Communication Research | 3 |
| COM 418 | Campaigns in Public Relations and Advertising | 3 |
| Total Major Requirements | 21 credits | |
Senior Seminar
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM 450 | Communication and Society | 3 |
| Total Senior Seminar | 3 credits | |
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