Curriculum

Major in Public Relations

Requirements: Students majoring in Public Relations must complete 45 credit hours, distributed as follows:

Core Courses (15 credits):

COM 3170 Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
COM 4130 Communication Ethics (3 credits)
COM 4170 Public Relations Writing (3 credits)
COM 4210 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
COM 5160* Public Relations Campaigns (3 credits)

*Senior capstone to be taken in last year of study

Additional Requirements (30 credits):

COM 1500 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
COM 2030 Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 credits)
COM 2100 News Reporting (3 credits)
COM 2170 Persuasive Speaking (3 credits)
OR COM 3300 Business and Professional Presentations (3 credits)
COM 3210 News Editing (3 credits)
COM 3250 Introduction to Organizational Communication (3 credits)
COM 3400 Theories of Communication (3 credits)
COM 4310 Communication Ethics (3 credits)
COM 5130 Communication and Social Marketing (3 credits)
COM 5140 Public Relations and Social Media (3 credits)
OR COM 5300 Layout and Design (3 credits)
OR COM 5500 Journalism and New Media (3 credits)

If a student needs additional credit for their degree, electives may be chosen from the following recommended courses:

COM 2200 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
COM 2260 Digital Writing and Research Methods (3 credits)
COM 2280 Digital Photojournalism (3 credits)
COM 4270 Group Communication (3 credits)
COM 4100 Feature Writing (3 credits)
COM 6190 Internship (3 credits, max 6)

Public Relations at Macomb

This program is designed specifically for students at WSU's University Center at Macomb. With this program, full-time transfer students who enter Wayne State University with a MTA stamp can potentially complete their Bachelor's degree in 2 years (including Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer terms).

These students complete the MTA stamp and two progressive semestsers of a foreign langage at the community college. Students then transfer to Wayne State and take their PR major classes and remaining electives at the University Center at Macomb extension center. Some courses are offered online.

All courses held at the University Center at Macomb are offered after 5PM.

Requirements:

Macomb Community College (MCC) Courses:

SPCH 1060 Speech Communication (3 credits) fulfills WSU COM 1010
SPCH 1400 Mass Media Communication in a Global Culture (3 credits) fulfills WSU COM 1500
SPCH 2110 Persuasion (3 credits) fulfills WSU COM 2170

WSU courses at the University Center Macomb or Online:

COM 2030 Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 credits)
COM 2100 News Reporting (3 credits)
COM 3170 Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
COM 3210 News Editing (3 credits)
COM 3250 Introduction to Organizational Communication (3 credits)
COM 3400 Theories of Communication (3 credits)
COM 4170 (WI) Public Relations Writing (3 credits)
COM 4210 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
COM 5130 Communication and Social Marketing (3 credits)
COM 5160* Public Relations Campaigns (3 credits)
COM 5300 Layout and Design (3 credits)

*Senior capstone to be taken in last year of study.

Classes are offered at the University Center at Macomb in a specific rotation. Students who plan to complete the Public Relations at Macomb program are expected to consult with their advisor in order to create a personalized Plan of Work.

Important Reminders: Every course required to complete an undergraduate major in the Department of Communication must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. This includes all transfer credit that may be applicable to the major programs. All students pursuing this major must complete the university's general education requirements as well as the Department of Communication foreign language requirement, which includes completion of a foreign language through the second semester. A minimum of 120 total credit hours is required to earn a Bachelor's Degree.

Advising: Careful planning is required to assure timely completion of the program. An advisor should be consulted as soon as you decide to enroll in the Public Relations program. All students are expected to follow the published curriculum for their major and to consult regularly with their advisor. Advising appointments can be booked online here.

Special Activities: Course work is only one part of your undergraduate education. Employers pay close attention to the types of activities applicants participated in as students. There are many valuable campus activities to choose from. You are encouraged to participate in such activities as student government, the student newspaper (South End) and the student radio station (WAYN). In addition, the Department of Communication sponsors the Wayne State University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), The Film and Media Group, as well as the nationally acclaimed forensics and debate teams.