American University in the Emirates
Bachelor of Arts in Media and Mass Communication – Public Relations
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
BA
DURATION
8 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Bachelor of Arts in Media and Mass Communication Public Relations at the American University in the Emirates covers public relations, writing, and research. It combines a US-style credit-hour general-education programme with internships and coursework to build skills in media relations and crisis communication. Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education, the program focuses on practical experience and problem-solving to prepare graduates for professional roles in government, NGOs, business, and education.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as public relations officers, communications specialists, media relations managers, policy analysts, or market researchers. Related careers include event management and social media strategy.
All Publicity is Good Publicity
The College of Media and Mass Communication offers a Public Relations specialization that influences our activities and lives inescapably. This program will equip students with the skills to obtain lucrative positions at the state level, in international organizations, in different categories and capacities such as business entrepreneurs, public relations officers, policy analysts, market researchers, and lawyers, as well as in the education sector. The core idea is to offer the program so as to develop the students' understanding in the field of communications along with real-world experience in writing, research, and campaign planning, as well as preparing the students to apply their problem-solving abilities. In addition to the internship requirements, these skills will assist students to accurately access ideas and construct answers to complex theoretical questions by developing logical arguments based on empirical evidence.
- Develop multi-disciplinary and multi-tasking skills.
- Develop excellent communication.
- Acquire knowledge in public relations strategy, management, and implementation techniques.
- Develop a positive attitude even when working with broader negative issues.
The American University in the Emirates is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education
43 Courses | 126 Credit hours
General Education Course
A: Languages and Communication Studies
The student selects 12 credit hours (4 courses) from the list below
- University Life - [3 Credit Hours]
- Academic Writing 1 - [3 Credit Hours]
- Academic Writing 2 - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Research - [3 Credit Hours]
- Arabic Composition - [3 Credit Hours]
- Arabic for Non-Arab - [3 Credit Hours]
- Communication Skills in Arabic - [3 Credit Hours]
B: The Natural sciences
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below
- Natural Science - [3 Credit Hours]
- Sustainable Energy - [3 Credit Hours]
- Environmental Science - [3 Credit Hours]
- Physics - [3 Credit Hours]
C: The social or behavioral sciences
The student selects 27 credit hours (9 courses) from the list below
- General Psychology - [3 Credit Hours]
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Social Science - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Political Science - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Sociology - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Anthropology - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Geography - [3 Credit Hours]
- Human Rights - [3 Credit Hours]
- Microeconomics - [3 Credit Hours]
D: Information Technology or Quantitative
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below
- General Mathematics - [3 Credit Hours]
- General Statistics - [3 Credit Hours]
- Intro To Computer System - [3 Credit Hours]
- Math for Business - [3 Credit Hours]
E: The Humanities or Arts
The student selects 12 credit hours (4 courses) from the list below
- Contemporary Arab Art - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Philosophy - [3 Credit Hours]
- Middle East History - [3 Credit Hours]
- World History - [3 Credit Hours]
- American Literature - [3 Credit Hours]
- History of Islamic Art - [3 Credit Hours]
F: Islamic Studies
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below
- Islamic Culture - [3 Credit Hours]
- Islamic Civilization - [3 Credit Hours]
G: UAE Studies
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below
- UAE and GCC Society - [3 Credit Hours]
Core Course
- Introduction to Mass Communication - [3 Credit Hours]
- Understanding Public Relations - [3 Credit Hours]
- Fundamentals of News - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Social Media - [3 Credit Hours]
- Introduction to Multimedia Production - [3 Credit Hours]
- Pre-Internship - [0 Credit Hours]
- Internship - [3 Credit Hours]
- Public Opinion and Propaganda - [3 Credit Hours]
- Organizational Communication - [3 Credit Hours]
- Mass Communication Theory and Practice - [3 Credit Hours]
- Photojournalism - [3 Credit Hours]
- Editing for the Mass Media - [3 Credit Hours]
- Media Law and Ethics - [3 Credit Hours]
- Writing for the Mass Media - [3 Credit Hours]
Specialization Course
- Public Speaking - [3 Credit Hours]
- Writing in Public Relations - [3 Credit Hours]
- Media Strategies and Implementations - [3 Credit Hours]
- Crisis Management Communication - [3 Credit Hours]
- Capstone-Graduation Project - [3 Credit Hours]
Free Electives
3 Courses | 9 credit hours
Based on Interest
- Design courses
- Education courses
- Business administration courses
- Security & global studies courses
- Information technology courses
- Computer sciences courses
Support Field of Study
- Radio & tv courses
- International relations courses
- Integrated marketing communication courses
Attendance
Student builds the schedule based on available offered courses in the registered semester
- Demonstrate the ability to know, evaluate and apply basic mass communication messages in the communication theories.
- Effectively communicate with others in interpersonal, small group, and public speaking situations.
- Capable to use appropriate research methods to answer relevant questions.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the ethical issues in their practice.
- Ability to apply relevant theory to communication practice.
- Use the various techniques and skills required for effective public relations, and suggest appropriate PR action plans with the cost and time.
AUE offers a wide range of scholarships and discounts intended to support students in continuing their education. There are many types of grants (High School, sibling, athletic, corporate, peer, University grant).
