Apply now to join the Bateman National Public Relations Case Study Competition Team
A two-semester experience and commitment with JOUR 531-001 in fall 2024 and JOUR 538 in spring 2025. Applicants do not have to be PRSSA members, but must be members in good standing by October 31 to participate on the spring competition team. Dues are $80.
Apply now »
Degree Requirements and Course Descriptions
Public relations majors will take a variety of courses including Carolina Core, SJMC core courses, major specific courses and courses to fulfill minor or cognate requirements. See the current year Undergraduate Studies Bulletin for the complete outline of all the public relations degree course requirements and regulations. It also contains course descriptions, as well as learning outcomes for the major. Archived Bulletins are also online.
In order to stay on track towards graduation, the university offers an online program "DegreeWorks." DegreeWorks, which is accessible in Self Service Carolina, is kind of like your personal automated advisor because it displays the coursework you have already taken and shows how and where it applies to your major and/or minor requirements. It also allows you to hypothetically change majors or minors to see how changes would impact your expected graduation date.
Please note:
DegreeWorks is only available for students who enrolled in Fall 2014 or later.
If you started at USC before Fall 2014, please see your assigned academic advisor for specifics regarding your degree plan.
Capstone Experience
Your senior year, you will develop public relations campaigns for business and social institutions which will become part of your portfolio. You will graduate with actual experience that will put you ahead of the pack. You will also be challenged to investigate case studies of additional public relations campaigns and programs.
Your capstone experience will include the following courses:
- JOUR 531 - Public Relations Campaigns
- JOUR 533 - Public Relations Management
In preparation for your capstone experience, you will have already taken the following prerequisite courses:
- JOUR 201 - Principles of Public Relations
- JOUR 203 - Principles of Visual Communications
- JOUR 332 - Mass Communications Research
- JOUR 436 - Public Relations Writing
- Three public relations directed electives (see academic advisor for specifics)
- One SJMC concept/lecture course (see academic advisor for specifics)
- Three SJMC electives (see academic advisor for specifics)
Sequence Head
Kelly Davis is the head of the public relations sequence and helps make decisions about course scheduling and content.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this major or your sequence progression, please contact your assigned academic advisor.
Want to change your major to public relations?
Visit the university advising center for information about changing your major.