Southwest Baptist University
Bachelor of Science in Public Relations
Bolivar, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 27,290 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $37,272/year including fees
Introduction
As a public relations major, you will take courses in communication, marketing, and graphic design. You will graduate with a degree that will prepare you to successfully manage information between an organization and the public. You will have the opportunity to complete an internship in the public relations field, which will allow you to apply what you are learning in the classroom.
Our public relations degree is grounded in core business classes that will set you apart from the competition with your knowledge in business and communication. The public relations major allows you to choose areas that most interest you, including sports, nonprofit, media production, and journalism.
According to the 2019 College Salary Report by PayScale, public relations graduates earn an average early career pay of $42,100 and mid-career pay of $76,200. SBU's public relations degree will prepare you to succeed in a variety of PR jobs across various industries.
The SBU Advantage
- More than 75% of students in the business administration division complete at least one internship before graduation.
- A unique blend of courses in business, marketing, and communication, gives you a breadth of knowledge in multiple disciplines essential to the public relations industry.
- Small class sizes and dedicated faculty create a close-knit community to help you thrive as you benefit from personalized instruction and build lifelong friendships.
- Put your communication skills to work through SBU Student Media opportunities, such as writing for the online student newspaper or contributing to the Infuse student podcast.
Curriculum
Freshman
Fall Semester
- ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
- MAT 1143 College Algebra 3
- CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
- BUS 1013 Introduction to Business 3
- BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
- UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
Total hours 16
Spring Semester
- ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
- BUS 1193 Business Calculus 3
- BUS 2013 Business Communications 3
- ART/FAR 1013 Introduction to Art 3
- BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
- UNI 1121 Introduction to Critical Thinking 1
Total hours 16
Sophomore
Fall Semester
- COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
- BUS 2023 Business Statistics 3
- ACC 2013 Principles of Financial Accounting 3
- ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics 3
- MGT 3013 Principles of Management 3
Total hours 15
Spring Semester
- PSY 1013 General Psychology 3
- HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
- ACC 2043 Principles of Managerial Accounting 3
- ECO 2033 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
- MKT 3023 Principles of Marketing 3
Total hours 15
Junior
Fall Semester
- BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
- MGT 3033 Operations Management 3
- COM Upper-level COM course 3
- POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
- COM 2233 Introduction to Public Relations 3
Total hours 16
Spring Semester
- PHS 1004 Introduction to Physical Science 4
- SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
- ART 2703 Introduction to Graphic Design 3
- COM Upper-level COM course 3
- MKT 4253 Digital and Social Media Marketing (Online) 3
- Cultural Studies 3
Total hours 18
Senior
Fall Semester
- KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
- CIS 3123 Survey of Data Science 3
- FIN 3053 Business Finance 3
- MKT 3083 Advertising 3
- LDR 4043 Ethics and Professional Development 3
- BUS 3073 Legal Environment of Business I 3
Total hours 17
Spring Semester
- COM 3263 Public Relations and Crisis Management 3
- MKT 3033 Consumer Behavior 3
- MGT 4083 Strategic Management 3
- Upper-level COBACS course 3
- Elective for 128 hours 3
Total hours 15
*Pre-selected COM courses include COM 2023, Introduction to Sports Communication; COM 3163, Nonprofit Public Relations; COM 3313, Advanced Public Speaking; COM 3343, Multi-Media Productions for Nonprofit Organizations; and
COM 3353, Organizational Communication.
This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.
Career Opportunities
Career Possibilities
- PR Specialist
- Marketing Coordinator
- Fundraiser
- Media Buyer
- Copywriter
- Publicist
- Content Creator
- Spokesperson
- Investor Relations
- Employee Relations
- Media Planner
- Researcher
- Marketing Manager
- Art Director
- Marketing Communications
- Freelance writer
- Sales Representative
- Counselor
- Crisis Management
- Health Communications
Examples of organizations that have employed our graduates:
- Askinosie Chocolate
- Bass Pro Shops
- Citizens Memorial Healthcare
- Commerce Bank
- Ridewell Corporation
Internships
Examples of organizations that have provided internships for our students:
- Jet.com
- D3 Technologies
- Community Outreach Ministries
- Citizens Memorial Hospital - The marketing department
- iHeartMedia (Los Angeles)
Student Testimonials
Scholarships and Funding
The College of Professional Programs and the Robert W. Plaster College of Business offer many privately funded scholarship opportunities for their students. During a recent academic year, more than $64,000 was awarded in private scholarships to students from these college-level scholarships. Some scholarships available include:
- Aric Beckham Memorial Scholarship
- Bill & Geneva Williams Memorial Scholarship
- Business College Scholarship
- Clifford & Marie Gouge Memorial Scholarship
- Dexter Yager Business Scholarship
- Gary & Jane Black Excellence Scholarship
- Gladys Henderson Memorial Scholarship
- Jack Henry & Associates Scholarship
- Lynn & Dean Credille Memorial Scholarship
- Melvin & Minnie Hall Memorial Scholarship
- Nebraska Book Company Scholarship
- Ralph Stufflebam Memorial Scholarship
- Ruby Letsch-Roderique Business Scholarship
- W. Lee Beaver Trust Scholarship
Admissions
Gallery
English Language Requirements
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