Public Relations

Central Michigan University's public relations concentration emphasizes the management of an organization's communications. You may study public relations at CMU either as a student in the public relations concentration in journalism or as a student majoring in the Integrative Public Relations program. As you explore career options, consider these key features that distinguish Central Michigan's public relations curriculum:

• Comprehensive course offerings
  
• Faculty with professional experience in a variety of disciplines
  
• Professional work experience through undergraduate internships
  
• Involvement opportunities through on-campus academic organizations
  
• State-of-the-art computer and production facilities

Integrative Public Relations Curriculum

An important feature of Central Michigan's Integrative Public Relations curriculum is its interdisciplinary approach. Central Michigan combines the strengths of its journalism, broadcast and cinematic arts, and interpersonal and public communication programs to provide you with a comprehensive education that will prepare you for a variety of jobs upon graduation.

In the program, you will complete 41 credit hours of required courses. These courses will help you develop general skills in areas such as public relations writing, broadcast and cable promotion, graphics and visual communication. You also will choose 18 hours of elective courses from a variety of areas, including communication, broadcasting, marketing, journalism, computer science, entrepreneurial studies and more.

A required internship gives you hands-on employment experience at the undergraduate level. It also allows you to produce the professional portfolio needed to begin your career.

Unique Opportunities

As an integrative public relations student, you will have a number of opportunities to supplement and enhance your classroom learning.

Internship
Your internship provides you with valuable on-site work experience and further enhances your abilities.

Academic Organizations
CMU has more than 200 registered organizations on campus that provide you with the opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and gain practical experience in your field of interest. Two of these organizations--the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Communication Association - are of special interest to public relations students. Through these groups, you can chair committees, implement project ideas, utilize communication skills, organize events, attend seminars and conferences, and more.

Students involved in the Public Relations Student Society of America have the opportunity to join PR Central, a student-run non profit public relations firm that enables students to gain experience through hands-on learning with real clients. Past accounts have included the Michigan Wrestling Association, Art Reach of Mount Pleasant, Isabella County Recycling Center, Michigan Humane Society and United Way of Isabella County.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will find a variety of career options available. Some of these careers may require additional education.

About the University

CMU is a comprehensive four-year institution that offers degree programs on the bachelor's, master's, specialist's and doctoral levels. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Undergraduate students may choose from more than 150 programs of study. Its wealth of resources and its size offer students the academic advantages of a large university with the personal attention provided by smaller private schools.

For More Information

To learn more about undergraduate admission to Central Michigan University, contact:

Admissions Office
Warriner Hall 102
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859
Telephone: (989) 774-3076

To learn more about Central Michigan's Public Relations concentration in the journalism department contact:

Department of Journalism
Moore 454
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859
Telephone (989) 774-3196

To learn more about Central Michigan's Integrative Public Relations program, contact:

College of Communications and Fine Arts
Moore Hall 129
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859
Telephone (989) 774-1885​​