Advertising and Public Relations, Bachelor of Arts

Requirements

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

Elective Requirements

Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 units.

General Education Requirements (43 units)

See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 Units)

See the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" section in the University Catalog.

Statutory Requirements: United States History, Constitution and American Ideals (6 Units)

See the "Statutory Requirements" section in the University Catalog. 

Major Requirements (45-48 units)

The following courses, or their approved equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree. The academic standards of the department require that all Advertising/Public Relations majors pass all required and prerequisite courses with grades of “C” or better.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Lower Division Required Courses
COM 100	Media & Society	3
COM 106	Digital Toolkit	2
COM 107	Digital Toolkit Lab	1
COM 110	Introduction to Digital Media Production	2
COM 111	Introduction to Digital Media Production Laboratory	1
COM 250	Writing for the Media	3
Upper Division Required Courses
COM 302	Media Law and Ethics	3
COM 342	Advertising Strategy and Copywriting	3
COM 350	Culture, Gender and Strategic Communication	3
COM 365	Introduction to Public Relations	3
COM 366 & COM 367	Public Relations Writing and Public Relations Writing Lab	3
COM 400	Media Analysis and Research Methods	3
COM 467	Integrated Communications Management	3
Capstone Experience
COM 490	Senior Project	3
COM 496	Internship In Communications	3
Electives
Select 6-9 units from the following:		6-9
COM 206	Photojournalism
COM 301	News and Information Literacy
COM 311	Persuasion
COM 333 & COM 334	Digital and Mobile Journalism Production and Digital Journalism Laboratory
COM 334	Digital Journalism Laboratory
COM 338	Cross-Cultural Journalism
COM 347	Multimedia Interviewing Practices
COM 358	Storytelling With Data and Design
COM 372	Crisis Communication
COM 379	Media Industries
COM 363	Social Media Strategies
COM 435	Media Psychology
COM 494	Independent Study
COM 495	Special Topics:
Total Hours		45-48

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in Advertising and Public relations, a degree recipient will be able to:

• Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble for redress of grievances.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
• Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society.
• Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
• Think critically, creatively and independently.
• Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
• Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts to coursework.
• Apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work, and to understand the digital world.

Advertising and Public Relations

4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
GE 1A English Composition		3
GE Area 3A Arts		3
GE Area 4A		3
GE Area 6 Ethnic Studies		3
Elective to meet 120		3
	Hours	15
Spring
HIS 101 or POL 101	History Of United States or American Institutions	3
COM 100	Media & Society (satisfies GE Area 3B Letters Course)	3
GE Area 5A Physical or 5B Biological Science		3
GE Area 2 Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning		3
Elective to meet 120		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
GE Area 1C Oral Communications
GE Area 5A Physical or 5B Biological Science		3
GE Area 5C Lab		1
GE Area 4B		3
COM 106	Digital Toolkit	2
COM 107	Digital Toolkit Lab	1
Elective to meet 120 units		2
	Hours	12
Spring
GE Area 1B Critical Thinking		3
HIS 101 or POL 101	History Of United States or American Institutions	3
COM 110	Introduction to Digital Media Production	2
COM 111	Introduction to Digital Media Production Laboratory	1
COM 250	Newswriting For Media	3
COM 365	Strategic Communication Principles	3
	Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
GE Area 3UD		3
ENG 350	Advanced Composition (satisfies GWAR requirement)	3
COM 302	Media Law and Ethics	3
COM 342	Advertising Strategy and Copywriting	3
AD/PR Elective 1		3
	Hours	15
Spring
GE Area 4UD or 5UD		3
Elective to meet 120 units		3
COM 350	Culture, Gender and Strategic Communication	3
COM 366	Strategic Communication Writing	3
COM 367	Public Relations Writing Lab	1
COM 400	Media Analysis and Research Methods	3
	Hours	16
Fourth Year
Fall
GE Area 4UD or 5UD		3
COM 467	Integrated Communications Management	3
UD Elective to meet 120		3
AD/PR Elective 1		3
AD/PR Elective		3
	Hours	15
Spring
COM 496	Internship In Communications	3
COM 490	Senior Project	3
Elective to meet 120 units		3
Elective to meet 120 units		3
Elective to meet 120 units		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	118

2-Year (Transfer) Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
GE Area 3UD Integrative Studies in the Humanities		3
ENG 350	Advanced Composition (GWAR satisfying course)	3
COM 250	Newswriting For Media	3
COM 365	Strategic Communication Principles	3
COM 100	Media & Society	3
	Hours	15
Spring
COM 302	Media Law and Ethics	3
COM 106	Digital Toolkit	2
COM 107	Digital Toolkit Lab	1
COM 110	Introduction to Digital Media Production	2
COM 111	Introduction to Digital Media Production Laboratory	1
COM 366	Strategic Communication Writing	2
COM 367	Public Relations Writing Lab	1
GE Area 5UD Integrative Studies in Natural Sciences		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
GE Area 4UD Integrative Studies in the Social Sciences		3
COM 342	Advertising Strategy and Copywriting	3
COM 350	Culture, Gender and Strategic Communication	3
COM 400	Media Analysis and Research Methods	3
COM 467	Integrated Communications Management	3
	Hours	15
Spring
COM 490	Senior Project	3
COM 496	Internship In Communications	3
AD/PR Elective 1		3
AD/PR Elective 1		3
AD/PR Elective (if needed) 1		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60

¹

Students select from the following with an advisor: COM 206, COM 311, COM 333/334, COM 338, COM 344, COM 347, COM 358, COM 372, COM 379, COM 363, COM 435, COM 494, COM 495