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).

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:

(1C / Formerly A1) Oral Communication/Speech
(1A / Formerly A2) Written English Composition
(1B / Formerly A3) Critical Thinking/Logic
(2/ Formerly B4) Math/Quantitative Reasoning (above the level of intermediate algebra)

GE Area 6 / Formerly 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:

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Transfer Units: 60

Major Preparation: 9

Major Requirements: 39

University Electives: 3

Total: 120

2. 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)

3. 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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