Public Relations - Slippery Rock University

Public Relations
Slippery Rock University

COURSE WORK
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Course Requirements
Core Courses
COMM 110
COMM 115
COMM 310
COMM 362
COMM 393
COMM 410
COMM 450
COMM 493
20 credits
Communication Concepts
Visual Literacy
Communication Research Methods
Mass Media and Society
Junior Seminar
Communication Law
Internship
Senior Seminar
Slippery Rock University’s Public Relations program is ranked in the Top 110 PR
programs in the nation. Public relations helps an organization establish and
maintain mutually beneficial relationships with a variety of important audiences.
It is a term used to describe both a way of looking at an organization’s performance
and a program of activities.
Public Relations isn’t just about being able to write and speak effectively. Students
will learn skills in graphic design and other electronic media technologies.
The program consists of 56 program credit hours:
▪ 20 credits of core communication courses
▪ 27 credits of public relations courses
▪ 6 credits of message production and preparation courses
▪ 3 credits of a required business course
▪ Internship
Optional Courses
36 credits
COMM 201
Digital Imaging
COMM 231
Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 232
Publication Production
COMM 247
Photojournalism
COMM 258
Interactive Multimedia I
COMM 242
News Writing
COMM 254
Video Production
COMM 315
Organizational Communication
COMM 318
Professional Presentation
COMM 332 Case Studies in PR & Integrated Communication
COMM 333
Public Relations Writing
COMM 360
Corporate Media
COMM 415
Persuasion
COMM 312
Argumentation
COMM 431
PR & Integrated Communication Campaigns
MRKT 330
Principles of Marketing
MGMT 351
Organizational Behavior
PROF 205
Accounting for Decision Makers
Visit the Communication Department at www.SRU.edu
and view additional message production and preparation,
applied communication and required business courses as
well as liberal studies requirements.
LEARN

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
The Communication Department at Slippery Rock University prides itself on
active learning in the classroom. Many classes are project-based instead of
lecture-based allowing students to have real experience and work to show for it.
COMM 201: DIGITAL IMAGING
This course exposes students to the use and manipulation of electronically
generated images through hands-on experience with digital cameras and
scanners. Market specific imaging software is used to further enhance and
manipulate imagery. Course topics include visual aesthetics, composition, image
layering, photo-retouching, spatial relationships, compression techniques, etc.
COMM 232: PUBLICATION
PRODUCTION
This course will be concerned with
the nonverbal aspects of print
communication, i.e., areas by which the
communication process can be enhanced
by the use of pictures, charts, graphs,
white space, type faces and sizes, etc.
It seeks to make students aware of the
fact that print communication does not
involve only words.
COMM 332: CASE STUDIES IN PUBLIC RELATIONS & INTEGRATED
COMMUNICATION
This advanced course seeks to develop critical thinking skills through the
examination of audience-centered case studies. Students examine how
professionals in public relations and integrated communications develop
objectives that translate into communication campaigns, illustrating theoretical
applications in real-life situations. The development of analytical skills and
ethical guidelines in communications practice is emphasized.
COMM 431: PUBLIC RELATIONS & INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION
CAMPAIGNS
This course gives students a thorough experience in conducting public relations
and integrated communications campaigns and preparing communication
materials. Working in teams, students prepare and conduct the research,
planning, implementation and evaluation of an actual campaign for a client.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
A part of your lifelong learning experience here at Slippery Rock is
your participation in extracurricular activities. The Communication
Department is home to five major student organizations that can
provide you with real world experiences on the collegiate level.
▪ Lambda Pi Eta
▪ Zeta Phi Eta
▪
▪ The Rocket
▪ WSRU-TV
▪ WSRU 88.1 FM (Not department affiliated)
The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
THE PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENT SOCIETY OF
AMERICA (PRSSA) is an organization that enhances a student’s
communication skills and increases their opportunities to network
in the field of Public Relations. Students participate in projects
with public relations practitioners and gain real life experience
through writing, planning and designing publications. In addition,
students have the opportunity to
participate in workshops and attend a
series of speakers.
PRSSA chapter runs its own public relations
firm as well as the department’s alumni
newsletter, The Receiver.
ROCK PRODUCTIONS
Rock PRoductions is the only student-run public relations firm at
Slippery Rock University. As a part of Rock PRoductions, students
will have the opportunity to gain professional experience and
complete actual public relations work before they graduate.
Past clients include:
▪ Campus Organizations (such as the Rock Rowdies)
▪ Campus Groups (such as the SRU Athletic Department)
▪ Local Businesses (such as Slippery Rock Lanes)
Non-Profit Organizations (such as SRU’s Women’s Center)
▪
CREATE

INTERNSHIPS
Internships are a vital part of the SRU experience that provides the student a
window into the world of working professionals as well as allowing them to make
contacts that they can use to begin future job searches.
Most employers look for internships when reviewing the resume of a recently
graduated college student and often consider them a deciding factor when
making hiring decisions. The Slippery Rock Communication Department requires
Emerging Technology and Multimedia students to complete an internship in
order to graduate.
Bridget Kelly
Internship Site: Youngstown State University,
Sports Information Office
Position: Writer/Publication Designer
“I produced media guides,
designed posters and schedules,
wrote press releases...I was a
real part of the PR team.”
RECENT INTERNSHIP LOCATIONS
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Froggy 98
KDKA Radio
Straight Edge Marketing
Pittsburgh Zoo
▪
Ericha McLaughlin
Internship Site: PR/Nadcap (Warrendale, PA)
Position: Meeting/Logistics Coordinator
“I never expected to work so
hard or accomplish so much
as I did last summer. It was
awesome.”
▪
▪
▪
Three Rivers Arts Festival
SFX Pittsburgh
Allegheny West Magazine
WPGH Fox 53
Eric Powers
Internship Site: Regional Learning
Alliance (Cranberry Twp, PA)
Position: Multimedia Intern
“The internship really
helped to build my
resume as a multimedia
specialist.”
Derek Ruby
Internship Sites: WISR 680 AM, WBUT
1050 AM, WLER 97.7 FM (Butler, PA)
Position: Production Intern
“Being on WSRU Radio
helped me understand the
ins and outs of radio. But
interning in Butler showed
me the professional, legal
and business sides of
radio.”
Katie Kurylo
Internship Site: Allegheny
County DHS Office of
Communications
Position: Web Content
Developer/Media Relations
“Effective communication with
co-workers is one of the most
important things you can learn at
an internship.”
SUCCEED

Senior Seminar is a unique
and personalized professional
experience that is designed to
assist students in making the
transition from being a student
to entering the professional
workforce. Students learn and
create in various activities within
Senior Seminar that prepares
them for the professional world.
SENIOR SEMINAR
LEARN
▪ Learn and apply appropriate interviewing techniques for a mock interview
with a professional in the field
▪ Acquire and use the rules of etiquette at a formal dinner
▪ Participate in a career-related activity such as a Job Fair or graduate
school interview
CREATE
▪ Enhance and develop cover letter and resume skills using a real job
description
▪ Create or develop an e-portfolio
▪ Prepare and present a written and oral self-assessment analysis of their
competency to enter the professional arena before an audience of
professionals and communication majors
SUCCEED
▪ Use all the skills you have learned in Senior Seminar to land your first
professional job!
AFTER GRADUATION
CAREERS
The public relations function takes many forms in different
organizations, including:
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
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Public information
Investor relations
Public affairs
Corporate communications
Employee relations
Marketing or product publicity
Consumer service or customer relations
Once you graduate from Slippery Rock University, you become a
part of an elite group of alumni, representing various fields of
study.
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Our programs not only prepare students for rewarding careers in
Communication but also prepare them for graduate studies. Past
alumni have enrolled in various programs at these universities:
▪
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Syracuse University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Ohio University
Carnegie Mellon University
Ball State University
Duquesne University
SUCCEED

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS
Our alumni are a part of our success as a department. Their experiences within
various fields of communication can not only help you, but it can show you that
your degree in communication can lead you in various directions. Our commitment
to ongoing alumni interaction has lead to our successful alumni mixers each year
in which our current students can mingle and network with our alumni.
“
The Communication Department taught me key lessons in working with
all types of teams, how to be pro-active and creative in learning new
technologies, and most importantly the value of listening and understanding
your client needs.”
- Erin Merkt 02’
“
Some experiences that have definitely helped with public relations
are programs that I’ve helped to put through in PRSSA. Learning the
difficulties and some of the benefits of public relations and actually
having the practice to do real public relations has greatly helped to
prepare me for my career.”
- Jeff Milliner 04’
“
I feel that I have learned a variety of
design programs that will ensure my
success in the future.”
- Janelle Jones 04’
“
Communication teaches you that group
work is the key to success. Working with
others in school has helped me to prepare
for the real world.”
- Ronni Milcic 04’
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Danielle Scotti ‘08
Where do you work?
I work at Markowitz
Communications which is a
public relations and marketing
agency. Markowitz offers
clients a proactive, integrated
approach to marketing and PR.
From press release to event
planning, advertising campaigns
to promotions, we basically are
always looking to maximize our
clients’ media exposure while
minimizing their expenditures.
What is your job title?
My job title is account services associate but it really is just that, a title. At
Markowitz, since we are a small agency, we work on every single client together.
If I had a focus for my position it would be considered media pitching. I’m usually
the one who is pitching the media and coordinating the media with clients and
events. But I really have had my hands in everything the PR world offers.
How did your degree at SRU help to prepare you for your job?
As far as how SRU has helped me, well I think it gave me a fantastic foundation
to build upon. Writing was one of the greatest skills I left SRU with, along
with translating my writing into various PR formats. Involvement in campus
organizations such as PRSSA, The Rocket and WSRU 88.1 gave me a controlled
sense of the real world.
LEARN. CREATE. SUCCEED.

A member of the Pennsylvania State System of
Higher Education
rock solid education | www.SRU.edu
UNIVERSITY CONTACT INFO
Admissions Office
146 North Hall Welcome Center
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Phone: 724.738.2015
E-mail: admissions@sru.edu
DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFO
Department of Communication
222 Eisenberg Classroom Building
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Phone: 724.738.2032
Fax: 724.738.4547