The Public Relations option exposes you to foundational courses in Public Speaking, Mass Media, and Research Methods. You’ll then take courses in Public Relations Theory, Media Writing, and Public Relations Writing.
Offered both online and in-person, this degree prepares you to go into fields such as web publishing, journalism, and public relations.
Communication in Public Relations Option Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A degree in Communication Studies-Public Relations guides students to become culturally competent communicators in a multicultural world and has produced graduates that are helping the public in a variety of occupations from public health, to education, to nonprofit communications. With the rise in misinformation and disinformation, courses in communication studies and public relations guides students to become more aware and informed citizens.
With the advent of the digital revolution organizations are interfacing with the public now more than ever. The exciting field of public relations offers students the opportunity to help companies, organizations and celebrities promote their brands and communicate with their customers, employees and fans. As a Public Relations major, students have the opportunity to learn how to develop social media and traditional media campaigns, work with the media, write speeches and manage many forms of an organization, or client’s communications.
Offered both online and in-person, students graduating with a degree in Communication Studies-Public Relations are in high demand and the curriculum in this major prepares students for successful careers in social media, corporate communications, entertainment PR, public affairs, health communications, internal communications, marketing, advertising, law, teaching and more.
There are two options to declare this program:
In-Person: most of the classes will be in person with some occasional online classes.
Online: all of the classes will be online. Note that the online option operates using a different tuition model.
Note:
Grade Requirements: a minimum cumulative GPA ≥2.0 by graduation.
| A. Required Communication Foundation Credits | ||
| CMST 201 | PUBLIC SPEAKING | 5 |
| CMST 208 | MASS MEDIA AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY | 5 |
| CMST 309 | COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION | 5 |
| CMST 330 | INTEGRATED METHODS FOR COMMUNICATION RESEARCH | 5 |
| or CSBS 320 | STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | |
| B. Required Upper Division Core Credits—choose three 5-credit 400-level CMST courses. | 15 | |
Note: any course used in Section B cannot count in Section D. | ||
| C. Public Relations Option Requirements | ||
| CMST 461 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS THEORY | 5 |
| CMST 462 | ADVANCED PUBLIC RELATIONS THEORY | 5 |
| CMST 465 | PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING | 5 |
| JRNM 209 | MEDIA WRITING | 5 |
| or JRNM 332 | NEWS WRITING | |
| or CMST 319 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING | |
| D. Public Relations Specialty–choose 4-6 credits of the following | 4-6 | |
Note: any course used in Section D cannot count in Section B or C. | ||
| TOPICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS | ||
| EVENT PLANNING AND LOGISTICS | ||
| CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT | ||
| FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA | ||
| SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND PLANNING | ||
| TOPICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS | ||
| ENTERTAINMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS | ||
| PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS | ||
| PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING | ||
| PUBLIC RELATIONS IN BUSINESS AND FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP | ||
| SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING | ||
| E. Design/Technology–choose one of the following | 4-5 | |
* These courses are face-to-face only. | ||
| DRAWING FOR COMMUNICATION (*) | ||
| DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS | ||
| USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN 1 | ||
| DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (requires advisor consultation*) | ||
| ZINE AND PUBLICATION DESIGN (*) | ||
| WEB DESIGN 1 | ||
| DIGITAL VIDEO (requires advisor consultation*) | ||
| F. The STAR Component (STudy/Act/Reflect)–please see STAR Component Coordinator, Dr. Shields for any additional information. | ||
Note: A minimum of 15 credits of CMST Coursework at EWU must be taken before beginning the STAR component. Written and oral reports on the STAR experience must be completed successfully. | ||
This requirement can be satisfied by: • A CMST or required JRNM class that has a built-in engagement component; • An internship; • Employment or volunteer activities. | ||
| Senior Capstone Requirement | ||
| CMST 490 | SENIOR CAPSTONE | 5 |
| Total Credits | 68-71 | |
University Competencies and Proficiencies
English
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB
General Education Requirements (GER)
Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)
Humanities and Arts
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences
University Graduation Requirements (UGR)
Diversity Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List
Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term you expect to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).
Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.
Requirements in Degree Works are based on these two catalog years:
Students who earn a BA in Communications in Public Relations at EWU should be able to:
Notes: students must complete this course with a grade ≥B to enroll in JRNM 332.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
This course provides an introduction to the writing skills needed in journalism and public relations for print and digital platforms.
Students learn about the varying aspects of professional event planners, what it takes to be a successful event planner, as well as the processes used to design, plan and execute a variety of different events. This class provides instruction on the basic structure of event planning, design, marketing, execution and evaluation, as well as basic business and employment skills necessary to be successful in the event industry.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
This course facilitates development of personal style and voice, as students design, edit, and create their own “zines” (reproducible hand-made booklets). Students practice graphic layout, typography, and professional book assembly. Analog production methods and desktop publishing software will be used. Student-made zines will be sold at “Spokane Zine Fest” and other in-person and digital outlets.
Cross-listed: GWSS 482.
Notes: may be stacked with CMST 582.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This seminar examines communication, sexuality, and gender dynamics at work in several domains of the American political system, including the mass public, electoral politics, the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, parties and social movements and the policy-making process. We also examine global trends for political participation. We analyze differences in conceptualizing politics and engaging in public discourse.