Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences in Public Relations with a concentration in Digital Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences in
Public Relations with a concentration in Digital Communication

Online

Program Overview

From social media to digital marketing, digital communication has become a cornerstone of effective public relations strategies. The University of Alabama’s online Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences (BACIS) with a major in Public Relations and a concentration in Digital Communication equips students with the skills necessary for creating persuasive messaging across digital platforms to build awareness, interaction and engagement with stakeholders.

  • Program Format

    Online
  • Credit Hours

    120
  • Tuition Per Hour

    $385

Put a Positive Spin on Your Resume

Learn from faculty with decades of professional and research expertise in public relations and digital communication. The curriculum will give you an understanding of the social and digital media landscape and its evolving role in advertising and public relations. You’ll learn how to conduct research to measure program needs, develop objectives and focused strategies, implement state-of-the-art tactics and identify and measure campaign success. The online coursework lets you build a strong foundation for your public relations career from a premier university, wherever you are.

  • Application DeadlineApplications accepted year round
  • AccreditationAccreditation Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
  • Are test scores required?ACT and SAT scores are not required through the Fall 2024 entry term

Curriculum

The Public Relations major with a concentration in Digital Communication program consists of 120 credit hours.

Please note that courses are subject to change.

Freshman Composition (FC)

  • EN 101 English Composition
  • EN 102 English Composition

Computer Science (C) or Foreign Language (FL)

  • CIS 250 Introduction to Design Software (C)
  • CIS 260 Introduction to Media Resources (C)

Humanities (HU) and Fine Arts (FA)

  • COM 123 Public Speaking
  • Select three hours in Fine Arts (FA)
  • Select six hours in Literature (L)

Natural Science (N) and Mathematics (MA)

  • Select eight hours in Natural Science (N)
  • Select three to four hours in MATH 110 or higher

History (HI) and Social/Behavioral Sciences (SB)

  • Select three hours in History (HI)
  • Select six hours in Social/Behavioral Sciences (SB)
  • Select three hours in History (HI) or Social/Behavioral Sciences (SB)

Writing (W)

  • Select six hours of W-designated courses

  • MC 101 Introduction to Mass Communication
  • JCM 103 Mechanics of Media Writing
  • APR 231 Introduction to Public Relations
  • APR 280 Introduction to Audience Analysis
  • APR 290 Introduction to Channels and Messaging
  • APR 303 Public Relations Strategy (W)

Choose five options:

  • APR 300 Basic Principles of Design
  • APR 325 Social and Digital Media
  • APR 333 Digital Writing and Strategy (W)
  • APR 430 Advanced Digital Marketing
  • One APR/MC 400-level elective (3 hours)
    • APR 422 Channel Planning
    • APR 423 A+PR Management (W)
    • APR 452 Ethics and Professionalism
    • APR 453 Investigation and Insights
    • APR 490 Special Topics

Students will pick one of the following courses:

  • APR 452 Ethics and Professionalism
  • APR 453 Investigation and Insights

Required:

  • APR 433 Public Relations Campaigns

All students must complete a minor in addition to their major requirements, and students commonly select Communication Studies.

Admission

To apply for formal admission to any of the undergraduate degree programs offered through UA Online, you must complete an admissions application and submit transcripts from all colleges previously attended (and a high school transcript if you have less than 24 semester hours of college coursework). Transfer students considering admission should review UA’s transfer information and policies.

Applicants must meet one of the following admission requirements:

If you have earned more than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet the transfer student admission requirement of a minimum 2.0 overall college GPA.

If you have earned less than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet both the 2.0 overall college GPA required for transfer students, as well as admission requirements for freshmen students.

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Contact Us

Program Information

Skyler Lynch
Admissions Representative
800-467-0227
skylerl.bama@ua.edu

Admissions Information

UA Online
800-467-0227
online@ua.edu

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