B.S. in Public Relations

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Relations at Mississippi College, offered through the Department of Communication, is designed to equip students with the essential tools for relationship building and strategic communication in today's complex public sphere. The program explores how to strategically craft messages that promote understanding and mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their diverse publics, including Fortune 500 corporations, non-profits, celebrity brands, healthcare facilities, government entities, and educational institutions. It incorporates scholarship with practical application, aiding students' development of skills in critical thinking, research, strategic planning, goal setting, problem-solving, and effective written and oral communication. The program prepares students for careers in media planning, crisis and reputation management, social media coordination, sports communication, government relations, and leadership roles.

Curriculum: The B.S. in Public Relations curriculum at Mississippi College is comprehensive, requiring a university core along with a substantial core within the Communication department and specialized Public Relations courses. The Communication core typically includes foundational courses like Communication Research & Writing, Fundamentals of Digital Communication, Communication Ethics, Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, and Communication Law. For the Public Relations concentration, students delve into specific areas such as Public Relations principles, PR Case Problems, PR Writing, Public Relations Production, Public Relations Multimedia, Strategic Crisis Communication, and Audience Analysis. Students also take courses in Introduction to Journalism. The curriculum emphasizes the development of practical skills through hands-on projects, preparing students to craft messages effectively across various media and channels.

Research Focus: The Public Relations program at Mississippi College integrates a strong emphasis on research, particularly in the areas of audience analysis, strategic planning, and campaign evaluation. Students are trained in communication research methods, learning how to gather, analyze, and interpret data to inform public relations strategies. Courses like "Communication Research & Writing" and "Audience Analysis" are central to this focus, ensuring that students can make data-driven decisions. The program's commitment to practical application means that research often directly informs the development of strategic communication projects and campaigns. Faculty members, who often have professional experience in the field, guide students in applying theoretical frameworks and current research findings to real-world public relations challenges.

Industry Engagement: Mississippi College's Public Relations program demonstrates robust industry engagement, ensuring students gain valuable real-world experience and professional connections. A cornerstone of the program is the requirement for all Communication majors to complete internships, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field. Students have interned with a diverse range of organizations, including MSU Athletics, Walt Disney World, Coca Cola, The U.S. Congress, local news stations, and various community-based organizations. Furthermore, the program operates Big River Strategies, a student-run public relations agency where students plan and execute strategic communication projects for area businesses, providing direct client experience. Opportunities to join professional organizations like the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and pursue industry certifications further enhance professional readiness and networking.

Global Perspective: Mississippi College is committed to fostering a global perspective throughout its academic programs, and the B.S. in Public Relations inherently supports this. While specific courses may not always explicitly have "global" in their title, the principles of public relations are increasingly applied across international boundaries, necessitating an understanding of diverse cultures and communication norms. The program's emphasis on strategic communication for varied publics implicitly includes global audiences. The university's diverse international student population enriches classroom discussions, bringing varied cultural viewpoints to the study of public relations. Additionally, Mississippi College offers study abroad programs to various countries, allowing students to gain firsthand experience with different cultural contexts and communication practices, preparing them to operate effectively in a globalized public relations landscape.