Mass Communications: Advertising & Public Relations Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Undergraduate
Find Your Voice. Build Brands That Matter.
Whether you want to create advertising campaigns, develop brand strategies, manage public relations, or produce digital content, you'll build the skills and portfolio to launch your career. At SEMO, you'll work with real clients, experienced faculty, and award-winning student media while preparing for a profession that never stands still.
What Makes SEMO's Advertising and Public Relations program Unique:
Our Advertising and Public Relations program stands out for its strong industry connections, experienced faculty, and emphasis on experiential learning. As an advertising and public relations major at SEMO, benefit from experience-driven learning opportunities in a program that is one of only two in the state accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).
With a curriculum designed to keep pace with the latest trends and technologies, graduate ready to hit the ground running in a fast-paced and rewarding field!
As an advertising and public relations major you will:
- Work with veteran advertising and PR professionals in small classes.
- Network with industry professionals and other students worldwide through the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
- Gain real-world experience working as graphic designers, digital media strategists, marketing sales staff, and brand communication managers for SEMO’s award-winning student newspaper, the Arrow.
- Gain real-world experience working with SEMO’s American Advertising Award-winning, student-run strategic media agency, SE Creative.
What Can You Do as an Advertising and Public Relations Major?
Organizations need professionals who know how to tell compelling stories, build trust, and connect with audiences. As an advertising and public relations graduate, you can develop creative campaigns, manage brand communications, analyze audiences, produce digital content, and lead strategic communication efforts across industries.
Jobs advertising and public relations majors can pursue:
- brand strategist
- media planner
- creative director
- marketing analyst
- realtor
- event coordinator
- PR specialist
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Advertising and Public Relations Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Mass Communications: Advertising & Public Relations Outcomes & Careers
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$76k
Advertising Sales Agent
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an advertising sales agent is $76,350.
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$108k
Project Management Specialist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a project management specialist is $108,100.
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$163k
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a Public Relations and Fundraising Manager analyst is $163,520.
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$91k
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a Real Estate Broker or Real Estate Sales Agent is $91,660.
Advertising and Public Relations B.S.
As an advertising and public relations major, learn how to be successful in today’s ever-changing media industry. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required.
45 Hour Major – No minor required
Required Core Courses
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each core course except MC001, which is a credit/no credit course.
- MC001 Exit Interview (0)
- MC101 Media and Society (3)
- MC221 Digital Media Production (3)
- MC301 Media Analytics (3)
- MC304 Media Diversity (3)
- MC382 Media History (3)
- MC401 Media Law (3)
- MCxxx Elective (3)
- MCxxx Elective (3)
Required Option Courses
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each required option course.
- MC002 Arrow Lab (0 x 2)
- MC310 Adv Analysis & Strategy (3)
- MC316 Media Planning (3)
- MC322 Media Design (3)
- MC330 Public Relations Foundations (3)
- MC331 Strategic Writing (3)
- MC418 Promotional Campaigns (3)
- MC429 Media Management (3)
Required Support Course – choose 3 hours:
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each support course.
- MA123 Mathematical Reasoning and Modeling (3)
- MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Relations, or Television & Film options within the Department of Mass Media must complete the
Declaration of Major form and meet the following criteria:
- Completion of a minimum 15-semester hours at Southeast Missouri State University or transferred from an accredited college or university.
- Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- 3. Completion of EN 100 or EN 140 with a minimum grade of 'C.'
First Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- MA123 or MA155 (3)
- MC101 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- MC221 (3)
- MC330 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: Admission to the Mass Communication program after the second semester.
Second Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- MC310 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- MC002 (0)
- MC301 (3)
- MC304 (3)
- MC322 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA.
Third Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- MC316 (3)
- MC331 (3)
- MC Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- MC002 (0)
- MC382 (3)
- MC418 (3)
- MC429 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA.
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- MC401 (3)
- MC Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- MC001 (0)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA.
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
What will it cost?
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Advertising and Public Relations Major FAQ's
Advertising and public relations majors will learn to help organizations build brands, tell compelling stories, and connect with audiences. Explore answers to common questions about gaining experience, career opportunities, essential skills, and salary expectations.
Hands-on experience is one of the best ways to prepare for a career in advertising or public relations. Look for opportunities such as internships, student-run agencies, campus media, client projects, professional organizations, and experiential learning experiences that allow you to build your portfolio and professional network before graduation.
Luckily SEMO has all of the pieces you need to graduate with real world experience as an advertising and public relations major. Explore all of the oppurtunies that the Department of Mass Media offers.
Successful advertising and public relations professionals combine creativity with strong communication and strategic thinking skills. Key skills include writing, storytelling, content creation, campaign planning, audience research, relationship building, problem-solving, project management, and digital communication.
In the advertising and public relations program at SEMO you will learn how to strengthen the essential skills you will use throughout your career.
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Contact Us
Location
Main Campus Office
River Campus Office
Mailing Address
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701