Communication, Journalism and Media, Public Relations Concentration, BS
Shippensburg University's Bachelor of Science in Communication, Journalism and Media is one of only three nationally accredited programs in Pennsylvania and the only one in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The public relations concentration prepares you for careers in strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, content marketing and more.
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What Will I Learn?
In this program you will learn:
- a broad range of strategies to achieve organizational goals and objectives
- to research, write, create, design and implement strategic communication content for diverse audiences and a variety of media platforms
- to write news releases, public service announcements, blogs, newsletters, feature stories, white papers and social media content
- to produce video and audio content for social media and websites
- to use industry-standard software and technology to design and produce promotional materials for online media, social media, print and television
- to produce public relations campaigns for not-for-profit and for-profit organizations
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) is the agency responsible for the evaluation of professional journalism and mass communications programs in colleges and universities. There are 119 schools accredited by ACEJMC.
PRNEWS Education A-List recognizes the best institutions of higher education for career advancement in PR and marketing communications. Their editorial staff examined factors such as curricula, diversity, faculty composition, academic awards and capstone courses. On- and off-campus offerings, such as internships, are considered; as well as how the schools' curricula reflected the changing nature of communication.
What are the requirements for this degree?
Students must take 48 credits in the communication/journalism major to graduate. Those transferring into the major must have a 2.3 GPA.
What Types of Careers Could I Get With This Degree?
Careers are available across many areas such as government, non-profit, corporate, education and agencies. Some positions include:
- Account executive
- Communications specialist/coordinator
- Content strategist/manager
- Copywriter
- Corporate communications specialist
- Digital and social media manager
- Internal communications specialist
- Marketing communications manager
- Media and communications manager
- Media relations specialist/coordinator/manager
- Public affairs specialist/coordinator
- Public information specialist/coordinator
- Public relations coordinator
- Public relations specialist
- Social media specialist/manager
What Career Outcomes Do Alumni Have With This Degree?
What Kinds of Experiences Could I Have?
The program has small class sizes for all skills courses. All writing and technology skills courses are limited to 20 students. You will learn how to work within a team and with on- and off-campus clients to solve public relations problems and create opportunities to engage with a wide range of key publics. You will have access to faculty, technology and photo and video equipment both in class as well as outside of class through student-run student organizations. You will work in the department’s Mac and PC labs and its audio and video editing labs, as well as your own mobile devices. Expect to work with SU’s nationally recognized Public Relations Student Society of America chapter; The Slate and theslateonline.com, the Keystone Press Award-winning student-run newspaper; SUTV, the winner of multiple university student production awards from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. PRSSA provides professional development opportunities – networking, distinguished guest speakers, professional conferences and connects members to the department’s wide alumni network and the Central PA chapter of PRSA.