Communication: Public Relations - B.S. Degree

Department of Communication 
Office: 311 McEwen Hall

(716) 673-4729

Roslin Smith, Chairperson

Email: Communication.Department@fredonia.edu

Website: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-sciences/communication

Focuses on the theoretical constructs and professional skills necessary to effectively mediate the goals and obligations of an organization and the needs and concerns of the public. The emphasis on ethics, campaign design and management and the production of messages for targeted audiences prepares students to serve as communication advocates in a variety of professional and civic settings.  Please note:  at least 12 credit hours must be taken at Fredonia. 

Major Requirements

The department requires all students to declare and complete a minor or a semester studying abroad. The minor must be officially recognized by the offering department and be chosen in consultation with a Communication advisor. Students electing the study abroad option are required to complete a complimentary course at Fredonia chosen in consultation with their advisor. 

Students who have dual majors with both majors inside the Communication department are still required to have a minor outside the department or meet the criteria for the study abroad option. A second major outside the Communication department will also satisfy this requirement.

A grade of C or better is required for a course to satisfy a major requirement.

Communication Core:

COMM 101Fundamentals of Communication

3

COMM 105Public Speaking

3

COMM 199Communication Orientation

1

Total Credit Hours:7

Major Core Courses:

COMM 222Principles of Public Relations

3

COMM 244Introduction to Social Media

3

COMM 322Public Relations Writing

3

COMM 323Research Methods

3

COMM 344Public Relations Case Analysis

3

COMM 420Communication Law and Ethics

3

COMM 422Public Relations Campaigns

3

COMM 424International Public Relations

3

Total Credit Hours:24

NOTE:

  • COMM 422 serves as Capstone experience and must be taken at the Fredonia.

Elective Courses

Choose 12 credit hours from the following (9 credit hours must be taken at 300-400 level):

COMM 102Mass Media and Society

3

COMM 111Web Design

1

COMM 112Desktop Video

1

COMM 113Flash

1

COMM 114Electronic Darkroom

1

COMM 115Advanced Electronic Darkroom

1

COMM 116Desktop Publishing

1

COMM 118Desktop Audio

1

COMM 130Foundations in Journalism

3

COMM 155Rhetoric of Vision and Sound

3

COMM 221Interpersonal Communication

3

COMM 251Audio Production I

3

COMM 255Studio Production

3

COMM 301Group Communication

3

COMM 302Rhetoric and Criticism

3

COMM 303Health Communication

3

COMM 312Multimedia Integration

3

COMM 313Political Communication

3

COMM 330Fake News! Media Literacy and Mis/Disinformation in a Democratic Society

3

COMM 336Introduction to Business Communication

3

COMM 342Presidential Campaign Communication

3

COMM 347Social Media Practicum

3

COMM 362Nonverbal Communication

3

COMM 365Communication and Leadership

3

COMM 379Persuasion

3

COMM 460Organizational Communication

3

COMM 465Intercultural Communication

3

Total Credit Hours:12

NOTE:

  • COMM 111-118: Computer mini-courses, 1 credit hour each. Only three credit hours may be from the one-credit mini-courses.

Total Credit Hours: 43