Public relations is the strategic management of communication and mutually beneficial relationships between organizations/individuals and their stakeholders. Strategic communication relies on critical thinking, research, problem solving, and the creation of written, verbal, and visual messages. The minor prepares students to understand, implement, and apply public relations strategies, tactics, and theories.
Total required hours for the minor in Public Relations: 21 hours
Required Coursework: 12 hours
CMN 2920
Introduction to Public Relations. (3 credits)
CMN 3960
Public Relations Writing and Production. (3 credits)
CMN 4920
Public Relations Case Studies. (3 credits)
JOU 2101
News Reporting and Writing. (3 credits)
Electives: 9 hours
Tier 1 Electives
Students will take at least one and no more than three classes (3-9 semester hours) from the following list of Tier 1 electives:
CMN 3100
Persuasion. (3 credits)
CMN 3020
Public Relations Research, Evaluation, and Measurement. (3 credits)
CMN 3930
Message Strategies & Influence. (3 credits)
CMN 3950
Conference and Event Planning. (3 credits)
CMN 3965
Advanced Public Relations Writing and Production. (3 credits)
CMN 3980
Strategic Social Media Communication. (3 credits)
CMN 3982
Social and Digital Media Analytics. (3 credits)
CMN 4919
Principles and Practices of Public Relations Campaigns. (3 credits)
CMN 4921A, B, D-F, H-M, O-Q, T-Y
Seminar in Public Relations. (2 credits)
JOU 2850
Sports Media Relations. (3 credits)
Tier 2 Electives
Students may take up to two classes (0-6 semester hours) from the following list of Tier 2 electives:
DGT 1363
Introduction to Graphics Technology. (3 credits)
DGT 2123
Introduction to Digital Photography. (3 credits)
BUS 2101
Financial Accounting. (3 credits)
BUS 3010
Principles of Management. (3 credits)
BUS 3100
Survey of Marketing Principles. (3 credits)
CMN 2500
Television & Video Production I. (3 credits)
CMN 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication. (3 credits)
CMN 2630
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication. (3 credits)
CMN 2650
Introduction to Organizational Communication. (3 credits)
CMN 3050
Television & Video Production II. (3 credits)
CMN 3075
Television Studio Production. (3 credits)
CMN 3230
Advanced Public Speaking. (3 credits)
CMN 3710
Intercultural Communication. (3 credits)
CMN 3940
Advertising: Theory and Practice. (3 credits)
JOU 2902
Copy Editing and Design. (3 credits)
JOU 2950
Introduction to Visual Communication. (3 credits)
JOU 3102
Feature Writing. (3 credits)
JOU 4420
Communication Law & Ethics. (3 credits)
Information sourced from the 2025-2026 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.
