William Paterson University in Wayne launched a Bachelor of Arts in public relations to prepare students for rewarding careers in public relations, social media, event promotion, global strategic communication and advocacy-related fields, according to a Thursday announcement.
Housed in the Department of Communication in the university’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the degree program is available both in-person and fully online through WP Online, William Paterson’s fully online degree platform for adult learners.
Students also have the option to pursue an accelerated 4 +1 program where students earn a Bachelor of Arts in public relations followed by a Master of Arts in professional communication in five years.
“We have a long history of accomplished alumni in public relations. I am so excited about launching innovations through our new public relations major. Innovations that reimagine our offerings and opportunities with the future in mind,” Wartyna Davis, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, said.
Lorra Brown, associate professor of communication and a former senior executive with global agencies Ogilvy and Weber Shandwick, said, “We designed a rigorous applied public relations curriculum, providing students with a competitive advantage in fast-evolving career paths.”
The 39-credit program includes required core courses in public relations, digital and social media communication, strategic multiplatform writing and corporate social responsibility, among others, such as interdisciplinary electives in communication, management and marketing, and a required capstone project.
In addition to their coursework, students will develop real-world skills to communicate effectively and consistently through internships and extracurricular activities such as the university’s chapter of the Student Public Relations Association, which hosts alumni networking mixers, field trips to New York agencies and an array of professional development activities.
