About the Program
Communication Department
Buckham Hall B117
(716) 878-6008
https://communication.buffalostate.edu/
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (Accredited)
This major allows students flexibility to tailor a program based on strategic communication through the disciplines of public relations, advertising, social media, and related fields. It meets the needs of students preparing for a career in which research, strategic planning, implementation of creative communication tactics, and evaluation are central, whether to advance an organization, promote a product, or advocate a cause. Compare this major with communication studies, journalism, and media production. See Communications Department Website.
This is the only bachelor's degree program in public relations and advertising at any SUNY institution that is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Only a handful of other undergraduate programs in New York State are accredited.
Career Opportunities
Students in public relations and advertising prepare for careers in public relations, social media, and advertising, as well as fundraising, organizational communication, research, lobbying, marketing communication, and other fields that require a liberal arts education enhanced with communication expertise.
The profile of a successful public relations and advertising graduate is a person with strong writing and speaking proficiency, keen ethical insight, competence in research and planning, and skill in working effectively both independently and in teams.
Academic Standards
Only grades of C or higher may be applied toward requirements for any communication degree; courses with lower grades must be repeated. Consistent with standards of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, the number of communication courses that students may take is capped, encouraging a broad-based liberal arts education. The department encourages students to take minors or second majors and requires evidence of an academic concentration or area of expertise outside the Communication Department.
Admission Requirements
Incoming freshmen and transfer students can declare the major.
See communication.buffalostate.edu for application forms and additional information, including a list of equivalent core courses at community colleges. Transfer students from two-year schools may apply only core courses toward this major for a maximum of 12 credits. Students generally require four semesters of study after completing communication core courses.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. understand and apply First Amendment principles and the law appropriate to professional practice relevant to the major
2. demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communication relevant to the major
3. demonstrate an understanding of gender and gender identity, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity, equity, and inclusion in domestic and global societies and their significance in the major
4. understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information relevant to the major
5. demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity
6. think critically, creatively and independently
7. conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communication professions in which they work
8. write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communication professions, audiences and purposes they serve
9. critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness, clarity, creativity, effective storytelling and/or professional style as appropriate to the major
10. apply basic numerical and statistical concepts appropriate to the major
11. apply tools and technologies appropriate to the major
12. demonstrate competence in professional speaking and presentational skills appropriate to the major
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements (33 credit hours)
Public Relations & Advertising Major Requirements (42 credit hours)
Communication Core (12 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
COM100 MEDIA LITERACY | 3 - Credit Hours
COM210 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
COM215 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION | 3 - Credit Hours
OR COM212 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL STORYTELLING | 3 - Credit Hours
SPC205 INTRODUCTION TO ORAL COMMUNICATION | 3 - Credit Hours
Major Requirements (21 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
COM301 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING | 3 - Credit Hours
SPC307 GROUP COMMUNICATON | 3 - Credit Hours
COM308 PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
COM322 COMMUNICATION GRAPHICS | 3 - Credit Hours
COM336 WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
COM401 APPLIED COMMUNICATION RESEARCH | 3 - Credit Hours
COM418 CAMPAIGNS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING | 3 - Credit Hours
Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
COM450 COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY | 3 - Credit Hours
Communications Electives (6 credit hours)
Select any two 300 or 400 level COM or SPC electives by advisement
All College Electives (45 credit hours)
120 Total Credit Hours