Public Relations professionals design and implement strategic communication plans to help organizations build beneficial relationships with their various publics. Graduates have opportunities to work in the world of PR within corporations, agencies, health organizations, government, and entertainment. MTSU's accredited program blends the best of theoretical and hands-on approaches. Proximity to Nashville gives students access to media professionals, internships, and jobs. The program offers a challenging and comprehensive curriculum, excellent faculty, state-of-the-art PR lab, and an active Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. Get started by selecting the Advertising/Public Relations concentration in the School of Journalism.

PR graduate takes over as United Way CEO

Meagan Flippin (‘07) was recently promoted to president and CEO of The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. She previously served as senior director for marketing, special events, and community impact. Flippin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and received a master’s degree in strategic leadership from MTSU in ′08. She also is immediate past president of Murfreesboro Young Professionals, the immediate past chair of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce’s Diplomat Program, and active in the Junior League of Murfreesboro. "I call upon my public relations education on a daily basis," she said. "Our organization’s foundation is built upon trust, which is often garnered through transparency, professionalism, and consistency."

MTSU alums go west to San Francisco

MTSU alumni Paul Bernardini (’11) and Landin King (’10) both are working at San Francisco-based Eastwick, a technology public relations agency specializing in media relations, social media, measurement and analytics, and more. King's internship led to a PR job for high-end hospitality brands at a boutique Nashville firm, The Andrews Agency, for his first two years after college. His current client load focuses largely on Quest Software units. Bernardini, who grew up in the Bay Area until age 6, lived in the Grand Teton National Park for a year and traveled in Southeast Asia for three months after graduation. "There are a lot of moving parts in PR, and it is by no means a typical 9-to-5 gig," Bernardini said.

Graduates specializing in public relations should find plenty of job opportunities in today's highly competitive business climate and market reach via multiple media platforms. Career possibilities await in agencies that represent clients, in industry from healthcare to entertainment, in organizational settings from education to religion, and in other non-profits and government.

• Campaign manager
• Communications specialist / executive
• Community relations director
• Corporate communications director
• Creative/art director
• Employee/internal communications
• Entertainment industry publicist
• Government public information officer
• Healthcare communications specialist
• Marketing consultant
• Marketing manager
• Marketing materials designer
• Media relations specialist
• Non-profit communications manager
• PR agency account manager
• Press secretary
• Public affairs director
• Public involvement coordinator
• Public relations specialist/executive
• Social media strategist
• Special events manager
• Speech writer

Employers of MTSU alumni include

• The Andrews Agency
• DVL Public Relations and Advertising
• Eastwick PR Agency, San Francisco
• Fairmont St. Andrews, Scotland
• Gaylord Opryland
• Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee
• Ketchum, Inc.
• McNeely Pigott & Fox
• Middle Tennessee State University
• Middle Tennessee Medical Center
• Nissan North America, Inc. Corporate Communications
• Rodofer Moss & Co., PLLC
• Schneider Electric
• United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties

MTSU's School of Journalism offers work leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Mass Communication. Concentrations are available in

• Advertising-Public Relations
• Journalism (newspaper/magazine)
• Media Studies
• Visual Communication

Undergraduate or graduate students outside the College of Mass Communication may choose to minor in Mass Communication with an emphasis in any of the School of Journalism’s concentrations.

An academic map is a suggested four-year schedule of courses based on degree requirements in the undergraduate catalog. This sample schedule serves as a general guideline to help build a full schedule each term. Milestones, courses, and special requirements necessary for timely progress to complete a major are designated to keep you on track to graduate in four years. Missing milestones could delay your program. 

This map based on the 2013-2014 undergraduate catalog is not a substitute for academic advisement - contact your advisor if you have any questions about scheduling or about your degree requirements. Also see the current undergraduate catalog (catalog.mtsu.edu)for a complete list of requirements and electives. Note: Requirements are continually under revision, and there is no guarantee they will not be changed or revoked; contact the department and/or program area for current information. 

You may choose to attend a summer term to reduce your load during fall or spring terms but still stay on track to graduate in four years (see below). NOTE: Learning Support courses will alter the sequences on this map.

Public Relations-General Academic Map

School of Journalism
Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro

Suggested Fall/Spring and Summer/Fall/Spring Four-Year Schedule

Refer to the scholarships website for information regarding use of the Lottery Scholarship for the summer term.

Click here for printer friendly academic map.

TOTAL HOURS IN PROGRAM: 120

TOTAL HOURS IN PROGRAM: 120

Graduation information may be accessed here.

Public Relations - Recording Industry Academic Map

School of Journalism
Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro

Suggested Fall/Spring and Summer/Fall/Spring Four-Year Schedule

Refer to the scholarships website for information regarding use of the Lottery Scholarship for the summer term.

Click here for printer friendly academic map.

TOTAL HOURS IN PROGRAM: 120

TOTAL HOURS IN PROGRAM: 120

Graduation information may be accessed here.

Public Relations