Program: Organizations of all types and sizes employ professional public relations practitioners. Capital’s strong liberal arts tradition provides an excellent foundation for a career in public relations, a field that requires a breadth of knowledge, analytical ability, strategic planning, critical judgment and communication skills.
Perspective: Public relations is the management of organization-stakeholder relationships, based on mutual needs and common interests in the pursuit of mutually-beneficial goals. Public relations is a management function utilizing research, strategic planning, special events, publicity, and advertising to manage day-to-day relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including employees, government, the community, investors, the industry in which the organization performs, vendors and others with the potential to benefit or damage a sponsoring organization. Management skills also are involved in dealing with other matters that arise, including issues and crises. Public relations is recognized as essential to excellent organizational performance, and public relations experts are part of the coalition responsible for an organization’s policies and practices.
Curriculum: We have designed the Public Relations Major to provide students with the education required to compete in today’s global environment while developing the skills, perspectives and enthusiasm for life-long learning that will further their career. The Public Relations Major and Minor are flexible to allow students to not only to pursue specific areas of concentration within the Major, and also to develop familiarity in areas such as pre-law, health care, governmental service and the like.
Course work within the Public Relations Major consists of a core of five public relations courses, with three additional courses in the process of being added to the curriculum. The Major is augmented by additional study tailored to the student’s interest in professional writing and production, development (fundraising), event planning, management, organizational communication or other areas of special interest.
2008 - 2009 Requirements for the Public Relations Major 39 hours from the following courses:*
COMM 131 Media and Society, COMM 151 Interpersonal Communication,
COMM 352 Group Discussion, COMM 353 Organizational Communication,
COMM 454 Communication Inquiry; PR 161 Introduction to Public Relations,
PR 262 PR Writing, PR 361 Print Design and Layout,
PR 363 PR Research and Planning, PR 365 Event Planning,
PR 366 Writing for the Web, PR 464 PR Programs and Campaigns; and
TH 121 Introduction to Theatre
Requirements for the Public Relations Minor—18 hours from the following courses:*
COMM 131 Media & Society; PR 161 Introduction to Public Relations,
PR 262 PR Writing, PR 363 PR Research and Planning,
PR 464 PR Programs and Campaigns.
Reputation: A recent review of the public relation program by outside experts was highly complimentary in comparing the program to those found elsewhere in the U.S.A. and abroad. In addition to the curriculum, the program was lauded for the international reputation of the PR faculty for their excellent teaching and their scholarship. Capital’s public relations program also is recognized by the Columbus Advertising Federation and the Columbus Chapter of Women in Communications through the awarding of competitive scholarships and other recognition.
PRSSA: Following review of our curriculum, the Public Relations Society of America authorized the Department of Communication to form a student chapter (PRSSA) at Capital University. The student chapter meets frequently to host professional speakers, plan chapter activities and help local businesses solve public relations problems through a student-run public relations firm.
Internships: In addition to outstanding classroom teaching, the program offers a highly attractive program of on-campus and off-campus internships for deserving students. Recent internships have allowed students to participate in public relations firms, advertising agencies, city, county and state offices, social service agencies, banking institutions, area newspapers, regional church, statewide association and the promotion departments of radio and television stations, among others.
Building a Portfolio: Public relations students are encouraged to maintain a portfolio of work completed in courses and through internships. Public relations faculty members periodically review the portfolios as the student progresses through the Public Relations Major or Minor.
Some recent examples of organizations with whom our students have interned:
* Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation * the Ohio Restaurant Association
* Fahlgren-Mortine Public Relations * Nationwide Insurance *
Here are some recent examples of activities that our student interns have undertaken:
* Community affairs research with local government
* A communication audit for the Franklin county Board of Health
* A membership needs assessment and relationship audit for a statewide association
* Development of a mock up of a new campaign for Bob Evans
* Creation of a fundraising event for a local non-profit
through the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
Careers and Placement: Many of Capital’s public relations graduates are today practicing public relations for organizations involved the area finance, health care, education, broadcasting, and design, as well as in marketing, advertising and public relations firms. Others have gone on to careers in law business management, and sales while yet others have completed degrees at the Master’s and Doctoral level.
What are they doing now?
Positions:
* Director of Public Relations * Account Executive * Director of Communication *
* Promotions Director * Hospital Development Coordinator * Publications Specialist *
Companies:
* AT&T * Chase Manhattan Bank * Community Bancshares, Inc. * Lifelink of Florida*
* United Methodist Children’s Home * University of Kansas *
* Fahlgren-Mortine Public Relations * NBC 4, Columbus, Ohio * Pro Wright *
* Murphy Epson, Inc. Marketing Communications
* For previous years' requirements, please consult your Program Evaluation as found on WebAdvisor.