B.S. in Public Relations
Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus
Credit Hours: 124
The Public Relations major at Georgia Southern University, housed on the Statesboro campus, allows students to gain real-world experience with internships at top-rate agencies and the opportunity to run their own agency. Students hire clients and help plan conferences, design newsletters, and complete public relations campaigns. The Public Relations program incorporates journalism, business, and communication studies courses to prepare students for a variety of careers in the public relations field.
If you are a current student and want information about internships, please click the Departmental Internal Site link in the menu, then click on the Public Relations tab. You can also email Dr. Groover for more information.
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Program Resources
Course Rotation
| This course rotation is tentative and is dependent on the availability of faculty. | |
| The following courses are typically offered both fall and spring semesters each year: | |
| PRCA 3100: Introduction to Public Relations | |
| PRCA 3330: Public Relations Writing | |
| PRCA 3711: Public Relations Practicum | |
| PRCA 4330: Public Relations Research | |
| PRCA 4339: Public Relations Campaign Strategies | |
| PRCA 4711: Public Relations Practicum | |
| PRCA 4791: Public Relations Internship | |
| The following courses are typically offered every fall semester: | |
| PRCA 4332: Public Relations Crisis Communication | |
| The following courses are typically offered fall semesters in odd years: | |
| PRCA/INTS 3333: International Public Relations | |
| PRCA 3335: Non-Profit Public Relations | |
| The following courses are typically offered fall semesters in even years: | |
| PRCA 3331: Corporate Public Relations OR PRCA 4331: Public Relations Firms | |
| Health Promotion | |
| The following courses are typically offered each spring semester: | |
| PRCA 3332: Public Relations Event Management | |
| PRCA 3334: Social Media & Public Relations | |
| PRCA 3339: Public Relations Publications | |
| PRCA 4335: Senior Seminar | |
| The following courses which may be offered during the summer: | |
| PRCA 3100: Introduction to Public Relations | |
| PRCA 4791: Public Relations Internship | |
| An Upper Division Public Relations Elective |
Graduation Plan
Bachelor of Science in Public Relations Graduation Plan
| Semester One: | Semester Two: |
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| Semester Three: | Semester Four: |
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| Semester Five: | Semester Six: |
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| Semester Seven: | Semester Eight: |
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* A grade of “C” or better is required.
L.E.A.P. Certification
L.E.A.P. is a certification program sponsored by the Georgia Southern University Public Relations Advisory Board available for Public Relations majors at Georgia Southern. Focusing on four key components, the acronym L.E.A.P. stands for Leadership, Experience in Communication, Academics, and Professionalism. Students can achieve certification through earning points in each of these four areas.
Students who complete the L.E.A.P. certification program will receive recognition of this accomplishment on their resume, a post-graduation interview with a Georgia Southern Public Relations Advisory Board member and a certificate. The certification shows potential employers the student went above and beyond what was expected in the degree program, as well as builds his or her portfolio.
“I’ve reviewed hundreds of resumes from recent grads, and Georgia Southern’s L.E.A.P. certification caught my eye. It became a great talking point for the job candidate, and it allowed me to better understand both her past experience and potential as a high performer. I hired her as an intern; today she is one our vice presidents,” Caroline Wilbert, president of The Wilbert Group, one of the largest Atlanta-based PR agencies.
Minor in Public Relations
Prerequisite(s):
Minor Program:
- COMM 3337 – Mass Communication Law (3)
- PRCA 3100– Introduction to Public Relations (3)
- PRCA 3330 – Public Relations Writing (3)
- PRCA – Upper Division electives with appropriate prerequisites (6 hours)* (Upper Division electives cannot include internship courses)
Public Relations Minor with a Focus on NIL
This program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools to navigate the exciting world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Whether you’re a student-athlete looking to capitalize on your NIL or someone interested in a career in the NIL industry, this program will provide you with a strong foundation for success.
Students will learn to:
- Navigate the world of monetizing the personal brand of a collegiate student-athlete
- Understand the world of personal branding and its impact for the student-athlete
- Master strategies to craft a unique, authentic brand that attracts fans, sponsors and lucrative deals
- Develop the ability to tailor communications and create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context using clear and appropriate forms of writing, tools, technology and research
- Leverage key communication concepts and principles, to unlock the power of impactful communication that advances your NIL goals
- Examine legal issues and the rights of those involved in the sport industry
Unlock exciting career opportunities like:
- Sports Administrator
- Sports Marketing Specialist
- Sports Manager
- Sports Lawyer
- Sports Analyst
- Athletic Director
- Event Management
- Collegiate Athlete
- Contract Negotiator
- Scout
Courses
- COMM 2332 – Media & Society – media literacy, understanding media role as part of NIL (might be more implicit than explicit).
- MMJ 2331- Intro to Journalism – covering news values, and basic news styles, including broadcast (relates to some of the work the students would be doing).
- PRCA 3100 – Intro to PR – connecting RACE (Research, Action, Communication & Evaluation) to NIL and, likely, to an assignment option such as the current RACE assignment; sports & entertainment is also one area of practice covered already as well.
- PRCA 3330 – PR Writing – expanding understanding of media and communication within the organizational context (options for NIL athletes as “clients” for the portfolio or media kit assignment).
- COMM 3337 – Mass Comm. Law – understanding privacy, copyright, etc. that would be important elements in NIL
- Two Electives:
- Recommend: PRCA 3334 – PR & Social Media and PRCA 4332 – PR Crisis Communication, possibly PRCA 3333 – International PR. Other options which might connect to NIL or to future interests of the student would include PRCA 4331 – PR Firms, PRCA 3331- Corporate PR, and PRCA 3335 – Nonprofit PR.
Public Relations Advisory Board
The Public Relations Advisory Board is comprised primarily of alumni, but also include “friends of Georgia Southern.” Would you like to serve on the PR Advisory Board? If so, please send us an email with your name, occupation, and contact information. Please include a statement of interest in regard to why you would like to serve on the board, and if you are an alumnus, please let us know!
Advisory Board Members
| Name | Employer | Location |
| Andrew Agan | Cookerly Public Relations | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Urkovia Andrews | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Ga. |
| BJ Bae | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Ga. |
| Lauren Bayliss | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Ga. |
| Pamela Bourland-Davis | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Ga. |
| UnChu Crosby | EPRI | Chesapeake, Va. |
| Julie Davis | Georgia Pacific | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Russ Davis | Technology Association of Georgia | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Carey Ferrara | Gaslight Group | Savannah, Ga. |
| Judy Graham-Weaver | Delta Airlines | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Michelle Groover | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Ga. |
| Jeannice Hall | ADP | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Chris Harvin | Global Point | Washington, D.C. |
| Lindsay Haynes | Focus Brands | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Haley Higgs | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Ga. |
| Abby Jeffers | Adams Outdoor Advertising | Charleston, S.C. |
| Harvey Lee Moody | Mercer University School of Medicine | Macon, Ga. |
| Lisa Muller | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Ga. |
| Kathryn Potter | Travel Factor Communications | Washington, D.C. |
| Karla Redding-Andrews | Otis Redding Foundation | Macon, Ga. |
| Kyla Robinson | Rollins, Inc. | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Don Rountree | Rountree Group | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Shaheen Solomon | City of South Fulton County | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Chelsey Thompkins | CPC Advisors | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Carrie Thompson | Georgia Pacific, Savannah River Mill | Rincon, Ga. |
Alumni Spotlights
We are proud of our alumni!
PRSA Certification in Education for Public Relations
In 2021, the public relations area received Certification in Education for Public Relations (CEPR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). This certification is for a six year period. Read more here.
Related Programs
Last updated: 11/28/2023
