Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations Specialization

Imagine handling accounts for a busy PR agency, managing social media accounts for a national brand or staffing a government leader's communication department. The work of SC&I Communication majors who graduate with a specialization in Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations involves managing an organization’s image, promoting its brand, and designing, convening and facilitating stakeholder communication and decision-making in a variety of public contexts.

Getting established as a strategic communicator can provide you with a competitive edge in industries like entertainment and sports, hospitality, pharmaceutical, small advertising/PR agencies and nonprofits, as well as in fields related to:

• Community Organizing and Outreach
• Corporate Public Affairs
• Internal Communications
• Marketing
• Media Analysis
• Political, Civic and Government Communication
• Public Relations
• Publicity Management
• Special Events Coordination

Good additional resources include:

• The Public Relations Society of America
• The Public Relations Student Society of America
• International Association of Business Communicators
• National Communication Association
• International Communication Association
• Rutgers University Debate Union
• Association for Talent Development

Our faculty members bring academic rigor and real-world experience to the classroom, engaging students in the rigor and application of strategic communication and PR strategies and principles. From strategizing the most effective message, to careful analysis of compelling case studies, to executing process facilitation, our faculty members work to seamlessly blend fundamental theory with practical applications.

Get started on customizing a Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations specialization and learn more about available courses.

This specialization requires a total of six courses (18 credits). If you’re using this specialization to fulfill the Communication major’s degree requirements, at least 6 credits must be at the 400 level. To expand your career options, you can combine the Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations specialization with other specializations as long as you satisfy all the requirements. Consider these combinations and possible career paths.

Core Courses
You must select at least two and may take up to five.

• 04:192:357 Organizational Communication
• 04:192:359 Persuasive Communication
• 04:192:366 Organizational Reputation and Representation
• 04:192:410 Media, Marketing and Communication
• 04:192:411 Crisis Communication and Public Information

Elective Courses
You may select up to four total with at least one from this first group; the others may be from the Practice/Tools set.

• 04:192:346 Intercultural Communication
• 04:192:381 Argumentation
• 04:192:408 Health Message and Campaign Design
• 04:192:422 Communication and Facilitation
• 04:192:450 The Dark Side of Organizations

Practice/Tools Electives

• 04:192:313 Message Design for Public Relations
• 04:192:315 Professional Writing and Communication
• 04:192:350 Visual Communication
• 04:192:365 Principles of Public Relations
• 04:192:369 Internship in Communication
• 04:192:403 Conflict Negotiation and Resolution
• 04:192:409 Public Relations Management
• 04:192:466 Audience and Market Analysis