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  • Public Relations
    Honors student Jessica Watson has double majors in PR and Political Science
  • Public Relations
    Excellent faculty members, such as Ed Kimbrell, inspire students
  • Public Relations
    MTSU students learn from successful people in the field
  • Public Relations
    John Seigenthaler Public Relations CEO, New York, is an example of campus speakers

Public Relations

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

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 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

Sharon Holt Fitzgerald
Lecturer
sharon.fitzgerald@mtsu.edu

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Dr. Cary Ann Greenwood
Assistant Professor
cary.greenwood@mtsu.edu

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Zeny Panol
Associate Dean
zeny.panol@mtsu.edu

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Dr. Hanna Park
Assistant Professor
hanna.park@mtsu.edu

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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.

A Master of Science (M.S.) degree is available in Mass Communication, and a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Recording Arts and Technologies.
Public Relations General Public Relations Recording Industry 

The sample schedule below is based on the current undergraduate catalog. It is not a substitute for academic advisement. Contact your advisor if you have any questions about scheduling or about your degree requirements or consult the undergraduate catalog (catalog.mtsu.edu) for a complete list of requirements and electives.

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

NOTE: Learning Support courses will alter the sequences on this map. Missing milestones could delay your program.

Public Relations-General Academic Map

School of Journalism
Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro


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

Click here for printer friendly academic map.

FRESHMAN FALL FRESHMAN SPRING
CourseHoursMilestones/Notes CourseHoursMilestones/Notes
ENGL 1010 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710* ENGL 1020 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710*
MATH (Math)3  HIST 2010, HIST 2020, or HIST 20303 
JOUR/EMC/RIM 10203  Hum/FA (Rubric 2)3 
Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 1)3  Nat Sci (Rubric 1)4 
Hum/FA (Rubric 1)3  COMM 2200 (Comm)3 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL16 
SOPHOMORE FALL SOPHOMORE SPRING
ENGL 2020, ENGL 2030, or HUM 2610 (Hum/FA)3  PR 20403Conceptual
requirement
JOUR 27103Prereq: C or higher in ENGL 1010 and 1020 Minor course3 
HIST 2010, HIST 2020, or HIST 20303  Minor course3 
Nat Sci (Rubric 2)4  Minor course (Business)3 
CSCI 1150, INFS 2200 or INFS 31003  Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 2)3 
SUBTOTAL16  SUBTOTAL15 
*2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism *2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism
JUNIOR FALL JUNIOR SPRING
JOUR 36503  JOUR conceptual requirement3 
Minor course3  Minor course3 
PR 33603  VCOM 20103 
JOUR 3530, JOUR 3450, or JOUR 35203  Minor course3 
Minor course (Business)3  Minor course (Business)3 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL15 
SENIOR FALL SENIOR SPRING
JOUR conceptual requirement3  PR 47403 
Minor course3  JOUR 3580, JOUR 4000, or JOUR elective (upper-division)1–3 
Minor course (Business)3  Minor course (Business)3 
PR 3380 or VCOM 29503  Minor or elective course3 
PR 3400, VCOM 3910, or JOUR 3090/30913–4  Elective3 
SUBTOTAL15–16  SUBTOTAL13–15 
Note: Public Relations students must have two minors; one must be in the Jones College of Business.

TOTAL HOURS IN PROGRAM: 120

FRESHMAN SUMMER
CourseHoursMilestones/Notes CourseHoursMilestones/Notes
ENGL 1010 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710* Hum/FA (Rubric 1)3 
SUBTOTAL3  SUBTOTAL3 
FRESHMAN FALL FRESHMAN SPRING
ENGL 1020 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710* Hum/FA (Rubric 2)3 
MATH (Math)3  Nat Sci (Rubric 1)4 
JOUR/EMC/RIM 10203  HIST 2010, HIST 2020, or HIST 20303 
COMM 2200 (Comm)3  Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 2)3 
Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 1)3  CSCI 1150, INFS 2200 or INFS 31003 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL16 
SOPHOMORE SUMMER
HIST 2010, HIST 2020, or HIST 20303  JOUR 27103Prereq: C or better in ENGL 1010 and 1020
SUBTOTAL3  SUBTOTAL3 
SOPHOMORE FALL SOPHOMORE SPRING
Nat Sci (Rubric 2)4  Minor course (Business)3 
Minor course3  Minor course3 
ENGL 2020, ENGL 2030, or HUM 2610 (Hum/FA)3  JOUR 36503 
PR 20403Conceptual
requirement PR 33603 
Minor course 3  JOUR 3450, JOUR 3520, or JOUR 35303 
    VCOM 20103 
SUBTOTAL16  SUBTOTAL18 
*2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism *2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism
JUNIOR SUMMER
Minor course3  Minor course (Business)3 
SUBTOTAL3  SUBTOTAL3 
JUNIOR FALL JUNIOR SPRING
PR 3380 or VCOM 29503  Minor course (Business)3 
JOUR conceptual requirement3See advisor JOUR conceptual requirement3See advisor
Minor course3  Minor course (Business)3 
Minor course (Business)3  PR 3400, VCOM 3910, or JOUR 3090/30913–4  
Minor course3  PR 47403 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL15–16 
SENIOR SUMMER
Minor or elective course3  JOUR 3580, JOUR 4000, or JOUR elective (upper-division)1–3 
Elective3     
SUBTOTAL6  SUBTOTAL1–3 
Note: Public Relations students must have two minors; one must be in the Jones College of Business.

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

Click here for printer friendly academic map.

FRESHMAN FALL FRESHMAN SPRING
CourseHoursMilestones/Notes CourseHoursMilestones/Notes
ENGL 1010 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710* ENGL 1020 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710*
MATH (Math)3  HIST 2010, HIST 2020, HIST 20303 
JOUR/EMC/RIM 10203Must earn C or higher* Hum/FA (Rubric 2)3 
Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 1)3  Nat Sci (Rubric 1)4 
Hum/FA (Rubric 1)3  COMM 2200 (Comm)3 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL16 
SOPHOMORE FALL SOPHOMORE SPRING
ENGL 2020, ENGL 2030, or HUM 2610 (Hum/FA)3  PR 20403Conceptual
Requirement
JOUR 27103Prereq: C or higher in ENGL 1010 and 1020 Minor course3 
HIST 2010, HIST 2020, or HIST 20303  Minor course 3 
Nat Sci (Rubric 2)4  Minor course (Business)3 
CSCI 1150, INFS 2200, or INFS 31003  Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 2)3 
SUBTOTAL16  SUBTOTAL15 
*2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism *2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism
JUNIOR FALL JUNIOR SPRING
JOUR 36503  JOUR conceptual requirement3See advisor
Minor course3  Minor course3 
PR 33603  VCOM 20103 
RIM 37703  Minor course3 
Minor course (Business)3  Minor course (Business)3 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL15 
SENIOR FALL SENIOR SPRING
RIM 36003Conceptual
requirement PR 47403 
Minor course3  JOUR 3580, JOUR 4000, or RIM 40001–3Practicum/Internship
Minor course (Business)3  Minor course (Business)3 
PR 3380 or VCOM 29503  Minor course or elective3If necessary
PR 3400; VCOM 3910; RIM 3720, 3890, 4320, 4620; or JOUR 3450, 35303  Elective3 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL13–15 
Note: Public Relations students must have two minors; one must be in the Jones College of Business.

TOTAL HOURS IN PROGRAM: 120

FRESHMAN SUMMER
CourseHoursMilestones/Notes CourseHoursMilestones/Notes
ENGL 1010 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710* Hum/FA (Rubric 1)3 
SUBTOTAL3  SUBTOTAL3 
FRESHMAN FALL FRESHMAN SPRING
ENGL 1020 (Comm)3Must earn C or higher for JOUR 2710* Hum/FA (Rubric 2)3 
MATH (Math)3  Nat Sci (Rubric 1)4 
JOUR/EMC/RIM 10203  HIST 2010, HIST 2020, or HIST 20303 
COMM 2200 (Comm)3  Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 2)3 
Soc/Beh Sci (Rubric 1)3  CSCI 1150, INFS 2200, or INFS 31003 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL16 
SOPHOMORE SUMMER
HIST 2010, HIST 2020, or HIST 20303  JOUR 27103Prereq: C or higher in ENGL 1010 and 1020
SUBTOTAL3  SUBTOTAL3 
SOPHOMORE FALL SOPHOMORE SPRING
Nat Sci (Rubric 2)4  Minor course (Business)3 
Minor course3  Minor course3 
ENGL 2020, ENGL 2030, or HUM 2610 (Hum/FA)3  JOUR 36503 
PR 20403  PR 33603 
Minor course3  RIM 37703 
SUBTOTAL16  SUBTOTAL15 
*2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism *2.50 GPA required for admission to School of Journalism
JUNIOR SUMMER
PR 3380 or VCOM 29503  Minor course (Business)3 
SUBTOTAL3  SUBTOTAL3 
JUNIOR FALL JUNIOR SPRING
VCOM 20103  Minor course (Business)3 
RIM 36003  JOUR conceptual requirement3See advisor
Minor course3  Minor course3 
Minor course (Business)3  PR 3400; VCOM 3910; RIM 3720, 3890, 4320, 4620; or JOUR 3450, 35303 
Minor course3  PR 47403 
SUBTOTAL15  SUBTOTAL15 
SENIOR SUMMER
Minor course (Business)3  JOUR 3580, JOUR 4000, or RIM 40001–3Practicum/Internship
Minor course or elective3If necessary Elective3 
SUBTOTAL6  SUBTOTAL4–6 
Note: Public Relations students must have two minors; one must be in the Jones College of Business.

TOTAL HOURS IN PROGRAM: 120

Graduation information may be accessed here.

Public Relations

PR 2040 - Public Relations Principles
3 credit hours
Introduces the practice of public relations, including its fundamental concepts and theories, historical development, and current issues.NOTE: This was formerly PR 3040.

PR 3360 - Public Relations Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy. Techniques of creating and writing, including the planning and development of corporate, public service, and other persuasive messages.

PR 3380 - Public Relations Publications
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy; VCOM 2010. Effective print-design techniques with emphasis on organizational publications.

PR 3400 - Case Studies in Public Relations
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: PR 2040. Practical methods of handling problems in public relations with emphasis on fact-finding, planning, promoting, and evaluating.

PR 3520 - Special Topics in Professional Issues
3 credit hours
(Same as JOUR/ADV/VCOM 3520.) Prerequisites: JOUR 3090 and admission to candidacy. Special topics in journalism, advertising, public relations, and visual communication focusing on practical applications. Topics change each semester and have included investigative, environmental, sports, and political reporting; visual editing; international public relations; and advertising account management. May be repeated up to 6 credits.

PR 4720 - Crisis Communication in Public Relations
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy or permission of instructor. Examines crisis communication theories, management, strategies, tactics, and cases while developing practical skills useful in crisis situations.

PR 4740 - Public Relations Campaigns
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy; PR 3360 and PR 3380 or VCOM 2950; senior standing. Researching and planning public relations campaigns. An opportunity for senior-level students to synthesize and apply knowledge and skills from previous courses.

Contact and Student Information

Email Phone Web Address

cary.greenwood@mtsu.edu

615-494-7748

School of Journalism

School of Journalism
Middle Tennessee State University
MTSU Box 64
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132

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