Communication Arts Major: Advertising and Public Relations Option (B.A.)

Communication Arts Major: Advertising and Public Relations Option (B.A.)
advertising and public relations option

Develop your knowledge and skills in strategic communication


What is advertising and public relations?

Advertising and public relations focuses on building exposure and attracting consumers to a brand or product. From print to TV to radio to web, advertisers have creative control over the ads they pay for. Unlike paid advertisements, public relations is about communication strategy — building brand awareness in the public through press releases, events and media coverage. Advertising and PR are crucial to an organization’s success, which translates to high employability in virtually any industry.  

Why study advertising and public relations at UNH Manchester?

Through a dynamic mix of social, ethical, organizational, analytical and creative perspectives, the communication arts: advertising and public relations option helps students develop knowledge and skills in strategic communication that are essential in settings like ad agencies, commercial businesses and nonprofit organizations. Students build a foundation for success in the fast-paced world of advertising and PR through courses in earned and paid media, social media, graphic design, media writing, data analytics and audience research. Through visits to local organizations, guest speakers and internships in the field, students stay up to date on current trends for success in careers or graduate study.  

Potential careers

  • Account coordinator  
  • Advertising executive 
  • Art director 
  • Brand ambassador 
  • Brand manager 
  • Client relationship manager 
  • Communications manager 
  • Content marketing analyst 
  • Copywriter 
  • Digital media planner 
  • Graphic designer 
  • Marketing director 
  • PR director 
  • Sales executive 
  • Social media manager 
Contact

Curriculum & Requirements

Students in the Advertising and Public Relations option develop knowledge and skills relating to the use of strategic communication practices within a variety of settings such as ad agencies, commercial businesses, and nonprofit organizations. A dynamic mix of historical, social, ethical, organizational, creative, analytical, and experiential perspectives is used to create a strong foundation for professional success and graduate study. Coursework covers topics such as earned and paid media, social media, graphic design, media writing, data analytics, and audience research. Some courses use field trips and guest speakers to keep students up-to-date with current trends. An internship in advertising and public relations is required.

For more information, contact Jeff Klenotic, program coordinator or contact the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
UMST 401
or UMST 402
First Year Seminar
or Transfer Seminar
1-2
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
CMN 455 Introduction to Media Studies 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits17-18
Spring
Quantitative Reasoning 4
CMN 456 Propaganda and Persuasion 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
Foreign Language 4
CMN 457 Introduction to Language and Social Interaction 4
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
Foreign Language 4
Major Elective 4
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits129-130

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Communication Arts (CA) majors must complete 10 courses (40 credits) and maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in the major. Transfer students must complete at least 20 credits in the Communication Arts major at UNH. Communication Arts majors may use up to two CMN and/or CA courses toward both the Communication Arts major and UNH Discovery Program requirements.

I. Required Core Courses 1
CMN 455Introduction to Media Studies4
CMN 456Propaganda and Persuasion4
CMN 457Introduction to Language and Social Interaction4
II. Selected Coursework 2
Select three courses from area A, two from area B, two from area C below.28
Total Credits40
1

Students must earn a "C" or better in each course to satisfy CA degree requirements.

2

Students must earn a "C-" or better in each course to satisfy CA degree requirements.

A. Communication Practices
Select three courses from the following:12
CA 450
Introduction to Public Speaking
CA 500
Media Writing
CA 501
Internship/Communication in the Urban Community
CA 502
Image and Sound
CA 507
Relational Violence
CA 508
Conflict in Relational Communication
CA 512
Screenwriting
CA 514
Fundamentals of Video Production
CA 515
Advanced Video Production
CA 517
Fundamentals of Audio Prod
CA #518
Advanced Topics in Digital Media Production
CA #519
Advanced Screenwriting
CA 522
Graphic Design I
CA 523
Graphic Design II
PSYC 762
Counseling
Total Credits12
B. Communication Practices: Organization, History, and Policy
Select two courses from the following:8
CA 527
History of Film
CA 531
History and Organization of Advertising
CA 532
Typography I
CA 536
LGBT Images and Perspectives
CA 538
Gender
CA 539
Communicating in Families
CA 540
Public Relations
CA 542
Social Media for Organizations and Business
CA 550
Special Topics in Communication Organization, History, and Policy
COMP 560
Ethics and the Law in the Digital Age
ENGL 534
21st Century Journalism: How the News Works
PHIL 565
Philosophy Through Film
Total Credits8
C. Communication Practices: Theory and Research
Select two courses from the following:8
CA 610
Communication Technologies and Culture
CA 612
Narrative
CA 615
Film History/Theory and Method
CA 618
Documentary
CA 720
Seminar
CA 795
Independent Study
Total Credits8

Advertising and Public Relations Option Requirements

The option in Advertising and Public Relations consists of 24 credits as distributed below. Note that some courses may also be used to fulfill the requirements of the Communication Arts major. Courses applied to the option must be completed with a minimum grade of C- and overall GPA of 2.0. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 12 credits, including the Advertising and Public Relations Internship, at UNH Manchester.

Advertising and Public Relations Option
Requirements
Select two courses from the following:8
CA 531
History and Organization of Advertising
CA 540
Public Relations
CA 542
Social Media for Organizations and Business
CA 550
Special Topics in Communication Organization, History, and Policy 1
Select two courses from the following:8
CA 450
Introduction to Public Speaking
CA 500
Media Writing
CA 514
Fundamentals of Video Production
CA 522
Graphic Design I
CA 523
Graphic Design II
CA 532
Typography I
DATA 557
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics
Select one course from the following:4
CA 610
Communication Technologies and Culture
CA 720
Seminar 1
CA 795
Independent Study 1
Select one course from the following:4
CA 501
Internship/Communication in the Urban Community 1
UMST 500
Internship 1
Total Credits24
1

 Topic must be related to advertising and public relations, and approved by advisor.

Capstone Requirement

The capstone requirement will be satisfied in a student's senior year by completion of a specific four-credit capstone course at the 600 or 700 levels. Students may not enroll in a capstone course until they have completed all three CA program core courses (CMN 455 Introduction to Media Studies, CMN 456 Propaganda and Persuasion, and CMN 457 Introduction to Language and Social Interaction) and at least one Area A course and one Area B course. Students must also have completed the prerequisites for the particular capstone course they seek to take. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and CA program coordinator. The capstone course can also fulfill an Area C course requirement.

The capstone experience offers seniors an opportunity to synthesize and apply knowledge and skills gained throughout their communication arts major coursework. The capstone course requires students to conduct an original research study, a creative media project, an internship, community-based research, or an advanced service learning project in communication arts under the close supervision of a communication arts faculty member. Students are strongly encouraged to share their capstone projects with the larger UNH community through participation in the Undergraduate Research Conference, a presentation in the Brown Bag lunch series, publication in the UNH undergraduate journal Inquiry, or presentation in some other public venue. Students should work closely with their advisors to make sure the capstone requirement has been satisfied.

Courses that satisfy this requirement include, but are not limited to:

Capstone Courses
CA 612Narrative4
CA 615Film History/Theory and Method4
CA 720Seminar4
CA 795Independent Study4

Upon completion of the Communication Arts program, students will be able to:

  • Analyze how creativity, artistry, narrative, identity, persuasion, and ethics shape messages and relationships produced within a variety of social, organizational, and industry contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills that give them expertise and proficiency in areas such as human relations, social media, digital video, audio production, graphic design, writing, and speaking.
  • Know the history of communication practices and understand how media technologies and messages have impacted societies, cultures, organizations, and businesses.
  • Effectively research and creatively explore communication practices, experiences, and trends using high quality sources of information, multiple modes of inquiry, and multiple presentation formats.
  • Identify professional interests or career paths by working with the Internship and Career Planning Office and by engaging with communication settings outside the classroom through internships, service learning, field trips, and independent studies.

Explore Program Details

Our campus is in the heart of the region’s cultural, economic, entertainment and government activity — putting unlimited internship opportunities at your doorstep. We’ve partnered with local businesses to give you the real-world experience that sets you apart. Communication arts majors have interned at many high-profile organizations in the area, including:

  • Granite United Way
  • NH1 News Network
  • New Hampshire Public Radio
  • N.H. Department of Environmental Services
  • Verizon Wireless Arena
  • WMUR-TV

Learn more about internships

Communication arts majors gain the interpersonal and communication skills that employers in all industries look for. With a highly flexible curriculum and the ability to personalize your studies, your communication arts degree will open doors to unlimited career and graduate education opportunities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects positive growth in many communications-related professions between 2012 and 2024. Make an impact with career possibilities in any industry, from media to healthcare, education, counseling and beyond.

Job Title Job Growth Average Salary
Advertising, Promotions or Marketing 9% $124,850
Market Research Analyst 19% $62,150
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner 10% $46,840
Public Relations Specialist 6% $56,770
Social or Community Service Manager 10% $64,530
Writer or Author 2% $60,250

Learn more about career planning

Add breadth to your degree with a communication arts minor, giving you the interpersonal and communication skills that will set you apart to employers in any industry.

View all minors

In partnership with the New Hampshire community colleges below, we've developed curriculum guides to show you which courses at your community college will transfer into UNH Manchester's communication arts program.

Click on a community college below to see transferable communication arts requirements.

Questions? Contact an admission counselor for help.

See the complete list of Pathways 

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