Academics

Academics

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs | Admission | Advertising Program | Journalism Program
Public Relations Program | JQE | Certificate of Digital Proficiency | Graduation Requirements


About Our Public Relations Program

P.I. Reed School of Journalism (SOJ) public relations majors learn how to create media campaigns and plan events for nonprofit organizations and private firms and businesses.

The public relations program offers students practical, hands-on experience. Students plan regional conferences for nonprofit organizations and develop strategic communication plans, media kits, brochures, speeches and press releases. Clients include industrial, medical, military, educational and charitable organizations.

While focusing on public relations, students also receive a solid education in writing, research, interviewing skills and media and audience analysis.

The School of Journalism boasts a strong public relations internship program and an active Public Relations Student Society of America chapter—one of the nation’s first when it was established in 1968.


Public Relations Program Requirements

Public relations majors earn a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Public Relations (BSJ) degree upon successful completion of the program.

To graduate, all SOJ majors must complete a minimum of 128 credit hours.

In addition to required SOJ core and public relations program courses, students must take a specified number of courses outside the SOJ. Students must also complete a minor (or second concentration), as well as General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements approved by the SOJ.

Finally, the SOJ’s accreditation guidelines require that students take a minimum of 80 hours outside of the SOJ, 65 of which must be liberal arts courses. Typically, students meet those requirements through the GEC and minor courses but should consult with their academic advisor to insure they are on track to graduate.

Students should refer to the following documents when planning their schedules:

For more information, contact the SOJ’s Student Services Advisor David Becker at (304) 293-5868 or David.Becker@mail.wvu.edu.