The public relations master’s program involves 13 months of intensive study.
You may choose between two tracks:
Professional: Prepares you to be a public relations practitioner (36 credits)
Thesis: Leads you to doctoral study in preparation for a career in teaching or research (36 credits)
Under the Professional Track, you may specialize your study by choosing the Sports Media and Communication Emphasis (37 credits), the Social Media Emphasis or the Financial and Investor Communications Emphasis.
Professional track students complete their studies with a culminating experience and may choose the workplace for their public relations internship. Those in the thesis track complete the program by writing a thesis.
Public Relations Master’s Schedule: Professional Track
Summer Session II—7 credits (July)
| PRL 603 | Foundations of Analytics, Social Listening and Information Gathering | 1 |
| PRL 604 | Theory and Practice of Public Relations | 3 |
| VIS 607 | Graphic Design Fundamentals | 3 |
Fall Semester—13.5 credits
| COM 617 | Multimedia Storytelling | 3 |
| COM 697 | Advertising and Public Relations Law | 3 |
| PRL 611 | Public Relations Research | 3 |
| PRL 614 | Converged Media for Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| PRL 619 or PRL 631 | Social Media & Society for Public Relations or Introduction to Financial and Investor Communication | 1.5 |
Spring Semester—12.5 credits
| PRL 530 | Special Topics in Public Relations (Take two 1-credit courses) | 2 |
| PRL 615 | Public Relations Campaign Planning and Execution | 3 |
| PRL 624 | Public Relations Management and Leadership | 3 |
| PRL 643 | Diversity in Public Relations | 3 |
| PRL 620 or PRL 632 | Digital & Social Media Innovation for Public Relations or Writing for Financial and Investor Communication | 1.5 |
Summer Session I—3 credits
| PRL 635 | Public Relations Culminating Experience | 3 |
Total credits: 36
Public Relations Master’s Schedule: Professional Track; Sports Media and Communications Emphasis
Summer Session II—8 credits (July)
| PRL 603 | Foundations of Analytics, Social Listening and Information Gathering | 1 |
| PRL 604 | Theory and Practice of Public Relations | 3 |
| SMC 601 | Sports Media & Communications Proseminar | 1 |
| VIS 607 | Graphic Design Fundamentals | 3 |
Fall Semester—14 credits
| COM 617 | Multimedia Storytelling | 3 |
| COM 697 | Advertising and Public Relations Law | 3 |
| PRL 611 | Public Relations Research | 3 |
| PRL 614 | Converged Media for Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| SMC 621 | Sports PR and Athlete Advocacy | 1 |
| Newhouse Sports Media & Communications Elective | 1 |
Spring Semester—12 credits
| PRL 615 | Public Relations Campaign Planning and Execution | 3 |
| PRL 624 | Public Relations Management and Leadership | 3 |
| PRL 643 | Diversity in Public Relations | 3 |
| SMC 624 | The Sports Media Pitch | 3 |
Summer Session I—3 credits
| PRL 635 | Public Relations Culminating Experience | 3 |
Total credits: 37
Public Relations Master’s Schedule: Thesis Track
Summer Session II—7 credits (July)
| PRL 603 | Foundations of Analytics, Social Listening and Information Gathering | 1 |
| PRL 604 | Theory and Practice of Public Relations | 3 |
| VIS 607 | Graphic Design Fundamentals | 3 |
Fall Semester—12 credits
| COM 617 | Multimedia Storytelling | 3 |
| COM 697 | Advertising and Public Relations Law | 3 |
| PRL 611 | Public Relations Research | 3 |
| PRL 614 | Converged Media for Public Relations Writing | 3 |
Spring Semester—14 credits
| COM 601 | Research Project Design | 3 |
| PRL 530 | Special Topics in Public Relations (Take two 1-credit courses) | 2 |
| PRL 615 | Public Relations Campaign Planning and Execution | 3 |
| PRL 624 | Public Relations Management and Leadership | 3 |
| PRL 643 | Diversity in Public Relations | 3 |
Summer Session I—3 credits
| COM 997 | Master’s Thesis | 3 |
Total credits: 36