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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2018-2019

Mass Communications

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Public Relations
Program description

The Robertson School of Media and Culture prepares effective and skilled communicators through quality instruction, advising and student services, based on real-world applications. Through research, professional service and scholarship in applied communications, the school advances the knowledge and practice of a multidisciplinary and evolving media environment. The school values truth, ethics, creativity, innovation, collaboration, cultural diversity, shared governance and community engagement.

The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with specialization in one of three concentrations: advertising, journalism and public relations. The school also awards the Master of Science in Mass Communications, with concentrations in the areas of integrated PR and advertising, multimedia journalism, and strategic public relations.

Career opportunities

Public Relations is a broad field that spans all industries and businesses. PR graduates can be found representing professional sports teams, global clothing manufacturers, Hollywood production studios, energy companies, hospitals, international non-profits and small businesses. This wide variety of opportunities is due to the fact that PR people are professional communicators, and all organizations, big and small, must communicate with a variety of audiences in order to succeed.    

The Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture’s undergraduate program in PR prepares graduates to successfully enter the public relations field.

Change of major requirements

Email rfroach@vcu.edu for information about eligibility and change of major workshop sign-up.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Campaign Manager
  • Campaign/Audience Researcher
  • Community/Public Affairs Specialist
  • Development/Fundraising Manager
  • Employee Relations Specialist
  • Event Planner
  • Grant Writer
  • Investor Relations Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Media Relations Coordinator
  • Nonprofit Communications Manager
  • Risk and Crisis Communications Coordinator
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • STAT 210
Science required
  • Core only
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.50

Contact information

Department name:
Robertson School of Media and Culture
Building/room location:
Temple, 2nd floor
Phone:
(804) 828-2660
Email:
robertsonsmc@vcu.edu
https://robertson.vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Take MASC 101 and maintain 2.5 GPA.
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in field of study.
  • Complete Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Clean up your digital footprint and begin to build your professional online identity.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with academic or career advisor.
  • Explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, and time management).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Take MASC 210 in fall and MASC 203 in spring.
  • Take UNIV 200.
  • File request/petition to declare concentration in MASC 203.
  • Maintain 2.5 GPA(major and cumulative).
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Join VCU’s student chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
  • Write for The Commonwealth Times.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café!
  • Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Create a draft resume and come to drop-ins with Robertson School’s Career Development Advisor.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year to explore your interests.
  • Find work you admire; follow on Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Apply to scholarships in Jan. - March for next year.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • See an advisor at least once, each semester.
  • Complete ENGL 304, MASC 333, 334 and 337 in the fall.
  • Complete MASC 335, 336 and 425 in the spring.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Volunteer for CreateAthon during spring semester spring break.
  • Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Take a course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Join a cultural organization.
  • Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.
  • Attend OMSA Tunnel of Oppression.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Identify at least three career options within your field of interest that you may want to pursue.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Complete an internship or freelance.
  • Attend professional conferences such as PRSA.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Begin to develop your portfolio.
  • Create a website.
  • Based on career goals, talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals.
  • Join job listserv sites that have job postings. Revisit gap analysis assessment and adjust strategic career plan with Career Services.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend a graduation workshop a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Complete your capstone and internship.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Present at the Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Build your intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Attend OMSA I Love Diversity Week.
  • Attend Cultural Graduation Ceremony.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building.
  • Gain feedback from professionals on your professional work. Develop/incorporate side project/interests into portfolio.
  • Expand your network and remember that you can network anywhere.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Mass Communications

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Public Relations
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Take MASC 101 and maintain 2.5 GPA.
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in field of study.
  • Complete Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
  • Clean up your digital footprint and begin to build your professional online identity.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with academic or career advisor.
  • Explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, and time management).
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Take MASC 210 in fall and MASC 203 in spring.
  • Take UNIV 200.
  • File request/petition to declare concentration in MASC 203.
  • Maintain 2.5 GPA(major and cumulative).
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Join VCU’s student chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
  • Write for The Commonwealth Times.
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café!
  • Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
  • Create a draft resume and come to drop-ins with Robertson School’s Career Development Advisor.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year to explore your interests.
  • Find work you admire; follow on Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc.
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Apply to scholarships in Jan. - March for next year.
Year 3
  • See an advisor at least once, each semester.
  • Complete ENGL 304, MASC 333, 334 and 337 in the fall.
  • Complete MASC 335, 336 and 425 in the spring.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.
  • Volunteer for CreateAthon during spring semester spring break.
  • Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Take a course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Join a cultural organization.
  • Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.
  • Attend OMSA Tunnel of Oppression.
  • Identify at least three career options within your field of interest that you may want to pursue.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Complete an internship or freelance.
  • Attend professional conferences such as PRSA.
  • Begin to develop your portfolio.
  • Create a website.
  • Based on career goals, talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals.
  • Join job listserv sites that have job postings. Revisit gap analysis assessment and adjust strategic career plan with Career Services.
Excel Year 4
  • Attend a graduation workshop a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Complete your capstone and internship.
  • Present at the Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Build your intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Attend OMSA I Love Diversity Week.
  • Attend Cultural Graduation Ceremony.
  • Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building.
  • Gain feedback from professionals on your professional work. Develop/incorporate side project/interests into portfolio.
  • Expand your network and remember that you can network anywhere.
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.