Public Relations and Marketing Communications

You'll learn to craft intelligent and influential messages — even in 280 characters or less — and comprehensive public relations plans.

A true PR pro can handle anything — from strategy to scandals to social media

Our students cultivate a deep understanding of communications theory and learn the critical skill of creating and spreading information. You'll gain experience in disciplines like graphic design and media arts, cultivating a keen sense of design and message placement.

Hands-on opportunities like membership to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSSA) and our innovative course Studio 5 help our students develop the essential persuasive and technical writing skills necessary to excel in any field. Faculty in both the Communications Department and the School of Business are also seasoned practitioners, drawing on their experience to prepare you for the real world of communications.

Employers recognize our students as critical assets to any creative team. They intern and find exciting careers in industries from media to health care to everything in between.

Step One: Core Courses

COMM 121	Visual Communication	4
COMM 186	Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications	4
COMM 281	Content Creation and Strategy	4

Step Two: Required Courses

COMM 210	Introduction to Graphic Design	4
COMM 286	Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding	4
COMM 324	Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics	4
BUS 270	Business Analytics	4
BUS 250	Principles of Marketing	4

Step Three: Electives

Students select three courses from this list; one must be at the 300 level.

COMM 122	Media Writing and Editing	4
COMM 181	Public Speaking and Presentation	4
COMM 312	Health Communications	4
COMM 320	Media and the First Amendment	4
COMM 323	Digital Cultures	4
COMM 325	Creating and Managing a Communications Campaign	4
BUS 221	Project Management	4
BUS 224	Social Action Leaders	4
BUS 230	Why We Buy	4
BUS 251	Digital Marketing	4
COMM 370	Internship	0
COMM 380	Capstone Internship	0

Step Four Capstone

COMM 390	Studio 5: A Communication Workplace	4

See program requirements for the Public Relations and Marketing Communications minor.

Online BA Public Relations and Marketing Communications

The public relations and marketing communications major is also available to students in our online program. Join tomorrow’s innovators on our digital campus to learn how to develop the future of tech—from anywhere

Internships are a key component of the public relations program. Our students fulfill their independent learning and internship requirements in a variety of ways, including recent placements at Boston Herald, Harvard Medical School, Lesley College, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and the Boston Ballet, to name a few.

Seniors in the public relations program also have the unique opportunity to learn from leaders in the field during our annual trip to Omnicom in NYC.

So you know that Simmons is a great place to be, you've learned about our programs, maybe even come for a visit...now you're ready to apply! Let's get started.

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