Public Relations Minor
The online public relations minor prepares students for a variety of careers in the dynamic field of public relations. Typical job areas include media relations, event planning, corporate communications, crises management, publicity and promotion, public affairs and government relations. A professional PR practitioner uses a variety of communication strategies, tactics and media to create a favorable image for his or her client. Building and maintaining positive relationships with external audiences is the core of public relations.
A minor in public relations can benefit students in a variety of academic disciplines, including business administration, marketing, communications, liberal arts, medicine, engineering, education and social work. Whatever the field, any professional needs to know how to communicate effectively and persuasively to target audiences.
The public relations minor requires the following five courses:
JRL 101: Introduction to Mass Communication |
| Mass communicator's role in developing political, social, and economic fabrics of a democratic society. Organization and function of newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, and other principal media, including the role of advertising and public relations. |
| This course is offered every term. |
PR 215: Introduction to Public Relations |
| Introduces the student to the principles of public relations. Definition and historical development, opportunities and challenges, techniques, and management of public relations are included. |
| This course is offered every term. |
PR 301: Writing for Public Relations |
| Basic writing techniques and tools for public relations practitioners, including news writing, AP style, news releases, media advisories, media lists, pitching stories, presentations, and publications. |
| Prerequisites: JRL 101 and PR 215 |
| This course is offered during the fall term and the first and second six weeks of summer school. |
PR 401: Applied Public Relations |
| A core class in the Public Relations minor focusing on PR case studies, strategic campaign planning, and tactics. Students develop campaign ideas and strategies and produce an abbreviated campaign plan. |
| Prerequisites: JRL 101 and PR 215 |
| This course is offered during the fall term and the first and second six weeks of summer school. |
PR 410: IMC for Public Relations |
| This course provides a comprehensive look at public relations and its role in the integrated marketing communications process. Other IMC elements such as advertising, Internet marketing, sales promotion and direct marketing are also discussed. |
| Prerequisites: JRL 101 and PR 215 |
| This course is offered during the spring term and the first and second six weeks of summer school. |
To earn a minor in public relations a student must earn a grade of C or better in each of the five courses. Students completing the entire minor online can expect to complete it in one year.
Students who double-minor in advertising and public relations may only take JRL 101 once and must replace the second offering with one of the School of Journalism’s online 200-level or higher open-enrollment courses. Students who double-minor in sport communication and public relations must also take either ADV 215 (Principles of Advertising) or ADV 201 (Advertising & Society), as well as one of the School of Journalism’s online 200-level or higher open-enrollment courses in place of PR 410.
Students who triple-minor in advertising, public relations, and sport communication must complete all listed courses. However, JRL 101 and PR 410 can be taken only once; each must be replaced with one of the School of Journalism’s online 200-level or higher open- enrollment courses.
All online courses are taught completely via eCampus. Students need to plan on logging into eCampus daily during the week but can do so at the time of their own choosing. Students should budget the same amount of time for an online class as they do for classroom classes.
To register for these courses call Extended Learning at (304) 293-2834 or 1-800-2Learn2. For more information, contact Cathy Chickerell, P.I. Reed School of Journalism Undergraduate Extended Learning Coordinator at sojonline@mail.wvu.edu.
The public relations minor is not available to any student enrolled in the P.I. Reed School of Journalism.
