Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Public Relations, BS


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The BS Public Relations, offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications , prepares students for the broad and exciting field of integrated strategic communication. Students learn how to promote an organization’s brand through news outlets and social media influencers, how to create and implement marketing communication assets, and how to plan and execute public relations campaigns. The program includes courses in research, web analytics, strategic writing, content creation, event planning, social media, digital marketing, among other specialized courses in employee communications and sports public relations. Graduates work in agencies and corporations throughout the Silicon Valley, the United States, and worldwide in a wide variety of specializations from high tech to healthcare to sports and entertainment.

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 50
Major Preparation 15
Major Requirements 42
University Electives 13
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (33 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 6 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education (9 units)


Of the 9 units required by the university, 0 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education (2 units)


All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a  grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. For this major, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  is satisfied by a course in the major.

Approved JMC Electives (12 units)


  • Approved electives in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC), including courses in journalism, advertising, public relations or mass communications.

University Electives (13 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)


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