Advertising and Public Relations Major
Here, you’ll learn the theories and skills of how to create persuasive messages, how to ensure those messages reach the right audience and how to communicate persuasive messages in a socially responsible way.
Students in the Advertising/Public Relations major become professionals in developing and managing advertising and public relations campaigns and in designing and creating ads. They learn how research can help shape a project and how ethical judgment can help shape a career. They learn to define and reach an audience and to deal with clients. They can learn to work in all media, including radio and TV.
In classes, in internships and in special projects, students participate in advertising and public relations campaigns, many of which are real-world projects brought by local and regional businesspeople and non-profit organizations. Students also learn to conduct and use research for national advertising plans. Advertising and PR students are encouraged to work on the student publications, the Arkansas Traveler and the Razorback yearbook to learn ad sales and ad makeup. In recent years a number of students have participated in and won national competitions with their advertising plans.
Important advising information for students seeking to enter the Ad/PR major
There are several important requirements in the Advertising / Public Relations (Ad/PR) major that were developed based on analysis of recommendations from professionals in the field, maintaining parity with other Ad/PR programs nationwide, and the performance of students in Ad/PR required courses. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
Use the ADPR Career Advising Guide to prepare for ADPR classes and working in the ADPR field
View AD/PR Career Advising Guide >
Required courses for this major:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ADPR 3723 | Advertising Principles* |
| ADPR 3743 | Public Relations Principles* |
| ADPR 4143 | Public Relations Writing |
| ADPR 4423 | Creative Strategy and Execution |
| ADPR 4453 OR ADPR 4473 | Media Planning and Strategy | Account Planning |
| JOUR electives | Three upper-level journalism electives |
| MKTG 3433 | Intro to Marketing |
| MKTG 3553 | Consumer Behavior |
| MKTG 3633 | Marketing Research |
*An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 is required to enter the Ad/PR Sequence and to enroll in JOUR 3723 and JOUR 3743. A grade of B or better is required in JOUR 3723 and 3743 for advancement in the sequence. Students must maintain the 2.5 GPA throughout their college careers.
Students must earn a B or better in Advertising Principles and PR Principles before proceeding to advanced courses.
Journalism Core Courses:
A minimum of 34 semester hours in journalism is required, including the following.
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JOUR 1023 | Media and Society |
| JOUR 1033 | Media Writing |
| JOUR 3633 | Media Law |
| JOUR 4333 | Ethics in Journalism |
| JOUR 4981 (See advisor for enrollment) |
Journalism Writing Requirement |
A minimum grade of C is required in all journalism courses that serve as prerequisites for advanced journalism courses. In certain cases, a minimum grade of B is required. Students must select a sequence when they enter the department.
Cultural Diversity Requirement - All majors are required to complete a 3-credit cultural diversity course. Students should consult their academic advisor for approved courses.
Digital Requirement - Students should consult the University Catalog and their academic advisor for guidance on completing the digital requirement for each JOUR concentration or the ADPR major.
GSP Requirement - Students who major or minor in journalism or advertising/public relations need to fulfill the School of Journalism’s grammar, spelling and punctuation (GSP) requirement.
University of Arkansas
205 Kimpel Hall
Fayetteville AR 72701