Public Relations, BS (SJSU Online)

The mission of SJSU Online is to expand higher education access and degree attainment for learners requiring a fully online degree pathway. This upper division degree completion program is offered through a special session that requires a separate application process.

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Delivery

The program is delivered completely online. Classes will be delivered fully online both asynchronously (no designated days/times) and synchronously (designated days/times).

Summary of Degree Units
Transfer Units	60
SJSU Studies	9
Major Preparation	9
Major Requirements	39
University Electives	3
Total	120

Program Roadmaps

The 2-Year Roadmaps are 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).

Transfer Units (60 units)

All applicants are required to have completed at least 60 transferable semester or 90 quarter units with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.
Applicants must also have completed the Core Lower Division General Education Requirements (39 units).
All four CSU-approved Basics Skills courses must be completed with a C- or better:

(A1) Oral Communication/Speech
(A2) Written English Composition
(A3) Critical Thinking/Logic
(B4) Math/Quantitative Reasoning (above the level of intermediate algebra)

GE Area F - Ethnic Studies must be completed with a C- or better to meet the requirement at San Jose State University.
Completion of at least 9 units of the following courses (or equivalents) with a grade of “C-” or better:

University Requirements (9 units)

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

The Core Lower Division General Education Requirements (39 units) must be completed before transferring from a community college or any university.

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 a major advisor before selecting courses to satisfy the Upper Division General Education Requirements .

American Institutions

Recommend completion before transferring from a community college or any university. The American Institutions (AI) Requirement (US123) is normally satisfied with the completion of General Education Area D. Consult your major advisor to confirm you have satisfied the requirement.

Physical Education

The Physical Education Requirement (2 units) is recommended to be completed before transferring from a community college or any university. 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.

Major Preparation (9 units)

ADV 91 - Introduction to Advertising 3 unit(s)
MCOM 100W - Writing Workshop: Mass Communications 3 unit(s) (WID)
PR 99 - Introduction to Public Relations 3 unit(s)

Major Requirements (39 units)

MCOM 101 - Media Law and Ethics 3 unit(s)
MCOM 104 - Introduction to Mass Communications Research 3 unit(s)
MCOM 111 - Mass Communications Internship 3 unit(s)
PR 190 - Media and Influencer Relations 3 unit(s)
PR 191 - Strategic Content Creation 3 unit(s)
PR 192 - Case Studies in Strategic Communication 3 unit(s)
PR 197 - Introduction to Corporate Internal Communication 3 unit(s)
PR 199 - Campaign Planning and Management 3 unit(s)

Mass Communications Elective (3 units)

MCOM 70 - Visual Communication for Modern Media 3 unit(s)
MCOM 105 - Lifestyles, Diversity and the Media 3 unit(s)
MCOM 106 - Global Mass Communication 3 unit(s)

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.

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