Advertising and Public Relations
USA Department of Communication
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, communication and media occupations are projected to grow 14 percent by 2030 resulting in 151,000 new jobs. Effective communication is necessary in all industries to build and maintain relationships and to convey information to diverse audiences. The student experience focuses on personal interests and professional goals through an integrated curriculum and hands-on involvement, exceptional internships and concentration-specific student organizations. Students are trained, independent, critical thinkers who uphold the highest ethical and professional standards as communication leaders in a global society.
Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations
Find your voice to inspire others through the understanding of strategic and creative practices of the advertising and public relations industries. Students in this program build proficiency in research, planning, data analysis, writing, social media, brand management, creative problem solving, digital media and campaign execution. Students choose between two tracks: advertising and public relations.
Internship Opportunities
Advertising and public relations majors have opportunities to complete internships, which allows students to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, gain exposure in their chosen career field, build professional connections and gain hands-on experience. Our program has relationships with organizations in various settings such as nonprofits, educational institutions, agencies, private businesses and government entities.
- Airbus
- Baldwin EMC
- Distinguished Young Women
- Ingalls Shipbuilding
- Oyster Shell Strategy
- The Container Yard
- BerlinRosen
- The Lending Tree Bowl
Careers in Advertising and Public Relations
A degree in advertising and public relations opens opportunities for students to pursue careers in a variety of industries. Graduates typically land jobs as account executives, media planners, communication specialists, public information officers, public relations directors, diversity and inclusion officers, brand managers and digital strategists.
Student Involvement
Students can get involved through student media, clubs and organizations across campus or specifically in their major. Students build leadership skills, plan events, create and produce content, design campaigns and network professionally by becoming involved in department groups such as the American Advertising Federation, Public Relations Student Society of America, Lambda Pi Eta and JagMedia.
JagMedia
JagMedia is the student media group of the University of South Alabama and includes The Vanguard newspaper, Due South magazine, JagTV and WJGR 97.1 The Prowl radio.
Choose a Track
Advertising
Advertising prepares students to inform the public about a product, brand, service, and idea and how to promote them strategically for various media platforms. Students learn to promote products and services through a paid, mass-mediated attempt to persuade.
Public Relations
Public relations teaches students to research, write, think strategically, plan, design effective messages for target audiences, and build relationships between organizations and their publics. Students learn to promote the entire organization and influence public opinion through strategic two-way communication.
CA 101: Introduction Media
CA 260: Digital Writing and Production
CA 300: Fundamentals of Communication Research
APR 224: Introduction to Public Relations
APR 271: Strategic Publication Design
APR 324 (W): Strategic Writing
APR 485: Cases in Strategic Communication
APR 321: Media Planning
APR 322 (W): Creative Strategy
APR 487: Strategy South Student Agency
Choose three
- APR 371: Branding and Visual Messages
- APR 384: Account Management
- APR 470: Digital Analytics
- APR 471: Professional and Creative Portfolio
- APR 474: Consumer Sales Promotion
- CA 445: Ethics-Social Responsibility Communication
- CA 455: Law of Communication
- CA 496: Professional Studies Internship
APR 386 (W): PR Writing
APR 486: Strategic Campaigns
CA 390: Public Relations Special Topics
Choose three
- APR 323: Sports PR
- APR 325: Applied Comm Workshop
- APR 326: PR and Non-profit Fundraising
- APR 371: Branding and Visual Messages
- APR 470: Digital Analytics
- APR 471: Professional and Creative Portfolio
- CA 445: Ethics-Social Responsibility Communication
- CA 455: Law of Communication
- CA 496: Professional Studies Internship
Students majoring in advertising and public relations are required to have a minor. South requires a minimum of nine hours of coursework completed at the University and a minimum of nine hours of coursework at the 300 level and above. A full list of minors can be found at Majors and Minors.
