Speech Communication  - Undergraduate

Public Relations Track

Students who choose the Public Relations track will study under a model program, designed to meet and exceed national guidelines for undergraduate public relations education described in Public Relations Education for the 21st Century:  A Port of Entry, sponsored by the Commission on Public Relations Education.  This track stresses written, oral, graphic, and technological applications of communication skills.  Elements of the program are designed to keep entry-level students in touch with upper division students, and past graduates in touch with all students.  In addition, students will experience the “paired course” concept, an idea that helps students integrate materials across their sequence of study.  And finally, students may join our award-winning chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America, which is affiliated with the national professional association, Public Relations Society of America.

Major Requirements:

Prerequisites (6 hours)

• SPC 103  Interpersonal Communication Skills
• SPC 105  Public speaking

Core Requirements (12 hours)

• SPC 200  Advanced Public Speaking
• SPC 329  Research Methods ("C" or better)
• SPC 330  Communication Theory   ("C" or better)
• SPC 415  Senior Project

Public Relations Track  (15 hours required / 9 hours elective)

Required:

• SPC 213 Introduction to Public Relations
• SPC 313 Applied Public Relations (blocked with 315)  ("B" or higher required to proceed in track)
• SPC 315 Technology Applications in PR (blocked with 313)
• SPC 413 Case Studies in PR
• SPC 414 PR Campaigns: Planning & Evaluations (blocked with 415)
• SPC 415 PR Campaigns: Programming & Implementation (fulfills Sr Project core requirement)

Recommended Speech Electives:

• SPC 201 Small Group Communication
• SPC 203 Introduction to Organizational Communication
• SPC 300 Communication in Interviewing
• SPC 311 Intercultural Communication
• SPC 331 Gender & Communication
• SPC 370 Health Communication
• SPC 403 Organizational Communication Theory & Application
• SPC 430 Persuasion & Social Influence
• SPC 434 Nonverbal Communication
• SPC 491 Internship in Speech Communication

Suggested Course Schedule for Public Relations Track

FYI: Student MUST take SPC 103 & SPC 105 BEFORE declaring Speech Major

Notes:

• In this rotation, we are assuming that General Education requirements are completed during your Freshman & Sophomore years.
• Prerequisites: Don't get caught off guard. Some of the Public Relations courses are offered only once a year. YOU are responsible for taking the prerequisites the first time they are offered so you may register for other required courses.
• SPC 413 is ONLY offered in the fall
• SPC 313 and SPC 315 are blocked courses and must be taken concurrently
• SPC 414 and SPC 415 are blocked courses and must be taken concurrently
• A grade of "B" or higher must be obtained in SPC 313 to continue in the PR track
• A grade of “C” or higher is required in SPC 329 and SPC 330 before the student is allowed to enroll in SPC 414/415 Senior project

Required Track Courses and Prerequisites:

Recommended Speech Electives: See list above

Remember: You must complete an acceptable minor area of study (check with minor program for credit hours required) and a total of 124 credit hours to graduate.