Advertising and Public Relations
Helps students prepare for positions in public relations
Advertising and Public Relations, Public Relations Concentration, B.S.
Prepare to put your creative talents in areas like writing, audio, video, and social media to use in a growing industry. Help individuals and organizations that want to build a positive reputation with a career in public relations (PR). Choose between the general PR program or a specialty in Recording Industry.
Your foundation for PR learning begins with courses in areas including writing, digital media, case studies, crisis communication, and research. Then, you get to create your own path with offerings like digital analytics, podcasting, data skills, sports and social media, and music business. Finally, all students finish their time in the concentration by working for a real-world client in the capstone campaigns course.
Along the way, on-campus groups like the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the student-powered agency, Ever Blue Branding, can help you find your people and build your resume for your career. If digital is your thing, sharpen your skills by examining online content in the Social Media Insights Lab.
The Public Relations concentration is part of the Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Public Relations. You’ll study in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, which is housed in the College of Media and Entertainment. MTSU's accredited program blends the best of theoretical and hands-on approaches. Meanwhile, proximity to Nashville provides students access to media professionals, internships, and jobs. Learn from experienced faculty who teach a comprehensive curriculum and help you find your place in the world.
News Briefs
MTSU advertising students earn runner-up for on-deadline campaign at postal challenge
Nine Middle Tennessee State University advertising and public relations students showed off their strategic communications skills with a runner-up finish in their category at the recent 2025 USPS Direct Effect Innovation Challenge. [ Read More ]
MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media celebrates 50 years of telling stories, breaking news
Middle Tennessee State University's School of Journalism and Strategic Media is celebrating its 50th year of teaching students reporting, storytelling, breaking news and everything in between. [ Read More ]
News Briefs
MTSU advertising students earn runner-up for on-deadline campaign at postal challenge
Nine Middle Tennessee State University advertising and public relations students showed off their strategic communications skills with a runner-up finish in their category at the recent 2025 USPS Direct Effect Innovation Challenge. [ Read More ]
MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media celebrates 50 years of telling stories, breaking news
Middle Tennessee State University's School of Journalism and Strategic Media is celebrating its 50th year of teaching students reporting, storytelling, breaking news and everything in between. [ Read More ]
Advertising and Public Relations, Public Relations Concentration, B.S.
Employer List
Alumni Success
MTSU prepared me for my career by giving me a variety of skill sets and opportunities to grow my multimedia skills. My classes within the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, my jobs with MTSU’s Division of Marketing and Communications and News and Media Relations, and working for Sidelines all prepared me for a career in Communications. I couldn’t have chosen a better degree program. I was given amazing opportunities to study abroad three times, to work Bonnaroo two times, and for my writing to be published in Murfreesboro City Lifestyles. I wouldn’t be the writer or digital marketer I am today without MTSU.
-Maddy Williams, Class of '24, Communications Specialist, The Webb School
Writing and exposure to creative individuals in music and photography let me to a career in music and arts.
-Jeremy Rush, Class of '02, Senior Director of Public Relations, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Degrees
MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Advertising and Public Relations or Journalism.
Concentrations within Advertising and Public Relations include:
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Public Relations-Recording Industry
Concentrations within Journalism include:
- Entertainment Journalism
- Environmental Journalism and Communication
- Investigative Journalism
- Media Design
- Media Studies
- Sports Media
For complete curriculum details, click on REQUIREMENTS.
Undergraduate or graduate students outside the College of Media and Entertainment may choose to minor in Mass Communication with an emphasis in any of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media’s concentrations.
A Master of Science (M.S.) degree is available in Media and Communication.
Accreditation Equals Excellence
About 1,000 schools across the US offer study in journalism, public relations or some form of media. Only 112 of these are accredited journalism and media programs. We’re proud that MTSU is one of these.
Accreditation is a voluntary self-assessment and external review by educators and media professionals. The reviewers examine program resources, classes and student success. Every six years, MTSU’s program is measured against national standards to ensure that we’re offering the best, most up-to-date experience we can provide. Accreditation provides an assurance of quality to students, parents, and the public.
The MTSU School of Journalism and Strategic Media was found in full compliance on all nine accreditation standards.
Go to the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication for more information about the value of accreditation.
Our Mission Statement
The School of Journalism and Strategic Media’s mission statement is comprised of five key points:
- Provide an undergraduate education combining contemporary media instruction with hands-on professional experience.
- Educate students about the role and responsibilities of a free press and media in a democratic and diverse society.
- Prepare students for careers in journalism, communication, and strategic media in an ever-evolving media environment.
- Contribute to the body of knowledge in journalism, communication, and strategic media through research, scholarship, creative, and professional activity.
- Create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity in its curriculum, organizations, and community engagement through its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
A PDF copy of the Mission Statement can be downloaded here.
Our Strategic Plan
The SoJSM’s Strategic Plan can be viewed here.
Our Assessment Plan
The SoJSM’s Assessment Plan can be viewed here.
Data
In the spirit of sharing information related to the program’s performance with the public, the following data is provided:
- New Freshmen Fall-to-Fall Retention
- Undergraduate Fall-to-Fall Retention
- 4-year Graduation Rates
- 6-year Graduation Rates
- Degrees Awarded by Academic Year
- Student Learning Outcomes
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