Do more than spin. Create a strategy that propels your client further.

A public relations degree prepares you to create strategic messages and visuals that build relationships between organizations and their audience. Our graduates work in public relations, communications, and marketing industries. 

What You’ll Do  

As a public relations major at Southeast, you’ll gain incredible real-world learning experience in a program accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) and earn your degree through one of about 50 accredited programs with a Certification in Public Relations (CEPR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). 

  • Work with veteran public relations professionals in small classes. 
  • Develop the fundamental skills of public relations writing, strategy development, multimedia production, social media management, research, and relationship-building. 
  • Network with industry professionals and other students worldwide through the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). 
  • Gain real-world experience working with SEMO’s student-run strategic media agency, SE Creative. 

What Can You Do with a Public Relations Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Anheuser-Busch
  • Ansira
  • AT&T
  • CNN (Atlanta)
  • ESPN
  • FleishmanHillard
  • Golin-Harris
  • Hoffman Media LLC
  • KSDK-TV (St. Louis); KMOV-TV (St. Louis)
  • MEC
  • Nestle-Purina
  • Osborn Barr
  • Red Letter Communications, Inc.
  • Saint Francis Medical Center
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • Southeast Missourian
  • Turner BroadcastingTurner Sports
  • Universal Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Washington Post

Outcomes & Careers

  • 95%

    Successful Outcomes Rate

    Students graduating with degrees from the Department of Mass Media report being employed or furthering their education six months after graduation. 

     

  • $83k

    Public Relations Specialist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a public relations specialist is $83,200. 

     

     

  • $44k

    Event Planner

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an event planner is $43,900. 

     

  • $118k

    Public Relations and Fundraising Manager

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a public relations and fundraising manager is $118,430. 

     

Public Relations Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

What You'll Study

As a public relations major, you’ll learn how to be successful in today’s ever-changing media industry. You’ll 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.

Public Relations Option – 45 hours – Minor Required

NOTE: Within the 120 hours it takes to complete a BS in Mass Communication, students must complete a minimum of 75 hours outside of the MC prefix.

NOTE: Students taking classes within the Department of Mass Media that are at the 300-level and above will be required to have a MacBook laptop computer for use in the classroom during class time.

Required Core Courses:

  • 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)
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each core course except MC001 which is a credit/no credit course.

Required Option Courses:

  • MC231 Social Media Content Creation & Strategy (3)
  • MC330 PR Principles (3)
  • MC331 Strategic Writing (3)
  • MC333 Strategic Production (3)
  • MC334 Public Relations Research (3)
  • MC430 Professional Strategic Communication (1)
  • MC431 Ethical Strategic Communication (1)
  • MC432 Hot Topics in Strategic Communication (1)
  • MC434 PR Campaigns & Case Studies (3)

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each required option course.

Required Support Course - choose 3 hours:

  • MA123 Mathematical Reasoning and Modeling (3)
  • MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each support course.

Required Minor - 15 hours (minimum)

  • Students may choose any minor program of study.
“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

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

Any student wishing to be formally admitted into the Advertising, Multimedia Journalism, Public
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.'

Freshman 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) 

  • MC211 (3) 
  • MC231 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Admission to the Mass Communication program after the second semester. 

Sophomore Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC330 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 

Spring Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC301 (3) 
  • MC333 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

Junior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC331 (3) 
  • MC Elective (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 

Spring Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC304 (3) 
  • MC334 (3) 
  • MC382 (3) 
  • MC Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

Senior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC401 (3) 
  • MC434 (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Spring Semester (14 Hours) 

  • MC001 (0) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • MC430 (1)
  • MC431 (1)
  • MC432 (1)
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (2)

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Accreditations

  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) logo
  • Public Relations Society of America logo
Contact Us
Location
Office
Grauel Building, 016
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 2775
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701