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The M.A. in Strategic Public Relations requires the completion of 40 units. Compulsory classes account for 18 units and consist of:

• JOUR 504 – Public Relations Research and Evaluation (3) Covers the use of primary psychographic and demographic research, pre- and post-campaign testing, and other highly quantifiable research techniques in program development and evaluation.
• JOUR 508 – Introduction to Strategic Public Relations (3) A survey of the profession, focusing on the key role of strategic public relations in today’s information-based society; provides a social, economic and political context for the program.
• JOUR 510 – Legal, Ethical and Social Foundations of Public Relations (3) Explores the origins, effects of, and processes for adhering to the complex network of legal, ethical and social responsibilities of the contemporary PR practitioner.
• JOUR 535 – Specialized Writing for Public Relations (3) Intensive focus on the specialized writing requirements of online, broadcast, print and other public relations media; includes content analysis of strategic public relations materials.
• JOUR 568 – Critical Thinking and Crisis Management (3) Introduction to the concept of critical thinking and its practical application to a variety of public relations challenges and opportunities; emphasis on formulating and evaluating problems from multiple perspectives.
• GSBA 520 – Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals (3) An overview of concepts, tools and principles of business management to develop a general management point of view. Open only to non-business graduate students.

In addition to these courses, students also take 22 units of approved elective courses.*

*Students electing the thesis option are required to enroll in JOUR 594ab (2-2 units) and must complete 18 units of approved elective courses. Students electing the comprehensive examination option must complete 22 units of approved elective courses.

Elective courses allow you to focus on your specific areas of interest, such as:

• Crisis management
• Entertainment PR
• Corporate PR
• Public Affairs and Political PR
• Health Care PR
• International PR
• Sports PR
• Multicultural PR