FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How is the new BA in Public Relations & Strategic Communication different than the
current BA in Public Communication?
The new BA in Public Relations and Strategic Communication is 48 credit hours compared with 40 credit hours for the BA
in Public Communication. This will allow students to take more communication electives and create concentrations around
areas of interest. The new degree is also more streamlined as well. Instead of having to pick electives from four areas,
there are now only two: Advanced Skills and Strategies and Advanced Topics and Specialties. There is also more cross
collaboration with the new curriculum. Students will have more of an opportunity to take courses from other communication areas such as journalism, film and media arts and communication studies and have them count towards their major.
Lastly, students can now complete up to six hours of internship credit, and you do not have to wait until senior year to
receive credit for internships.
Your advisor will be able to walk you through the specific changes.
Why did the Public Communication faculty decide to change this degree?
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC), which accredits the Journalism
and Public Communication programs in the School of Communication, has approved, effective September 2013, new
regulations that allow accredited schools to increase their curriculum up to 48 hours. Previously, students in accredited
communication programs could take only a maximum of 40 hours. (In SOC, students took 39-40 hours). Communication
schools around the nation have lobbied ACEJMC for many years to implement these changes.
What is the rationale behind the change?
The ACEJMC changes allow students the opportunity to further explore the major and curriculum, enhance their academic
and professional focus, expand their theoretical base, gain greater in-depth knowledge of the field, and better prepare
them to represent SOC and American University in the professional world and graduate education.
What are the concentrations?
Students may choose to “concentrate” their studies in one of six areas by taking four of the suggested courses in the concentration. The concentrations are:
- Political Communication - Corporate Communication - Digital Strategies - Health, Science and Environmental Communication
- Social Change and Advocacy Communication
- Lifestyle and Culture Communication
The Public Communication faculty created concentrations that will allow students to focus their studies and interests.
Please note that these concentrations will not be listed on diplomas, transcripts, or your degree audit. They are an ideal
way for students to build upon particular areas of expertise and showcase that expertise on their resume, online portfolios, LinkedIn profiles etc. The concentrations are also helpful to prospective students and their families to understand the
myriad of career options available to Public Relations and Strategic Communication majors. The list of concentrations and
course offerings can be found here: http://www.american.edu/soc/communication/degrees/BA-PRSC.cfm
Do I have to pick a concentration?
No, the concentrations are merely for students who choose to focus their studies in a particular area.
Do I have to change to this degree?
If you began prior to fall 2014, you do not have to change to this degree. You may continue with the BA in Public Communication or you can change to this one. You should work with your advisor to ensure that if you do change, it does not have an
impact on your general education applicability, graduation date, minor or double major or study abroad plans. Please note
that whether you opt in or opt out of the new degree program, you are required to meet all of the catalog requirements
for the catalog year you began or if you choose the BA in Public Relations and Strategic Communication, all of the catalog
requirements for academic year 2014-2015.
When do I have to decide?
It would be preferable that you make a decision prior to November 3, 2014 when spring registration begins. Your advisor
will have you fill out a form confirming your choice either way, that will be a part of your academic record.
What if I decide to continue with the old degree cycle and then change my mind?
We strongly suggest that you contact your advisor to clearly understand how the changes will affect your studies and make
an informed decision. Your academic advisor is the best person to understand all of the academic goals you are interested
in achieving and to begin to map out a graduation plan with your remaining requirements. In SOC, as long as you meet the
cumulative GPA minimum requirement of a 2.50, you may consider changing your major within SOC at any time.
If I do this new degree, can I still study abroad?
Even with an increased amount of credit hours, the new BA in Public Relations and Strategic Communication is still among
the degrees on campus with the least amount of credit hours. We advise that you meet with your advisor and complete a
revised graduation plan to ensure that you can still study abroad and complete your degree in a timely manner.
Can I continue with the old degree but still count six credits towards an internship?
Unfortunately, you cannot. You must change to the new degree in order to receive six credits towards an internship. You
can only receive three internship credit hours senior year for the BA in Public Communication.
I am a junior or senior, and I would like to change to this degree option. How can I make
this change?
Because of the increased credit hours, it is likely that you would not graduate on time. Please contact your academic advisor to map out a graduation plan.
Can I continue with the BA in Public Communication but have the degree name changed
to BA in Public Relations and Strategic Communication?
Only students who switch to the new degree option will be issued diplomas that list the new degree name.
How do I switch from the BA in Public Communication to the BA in Public Relations
& Strategic Communication?
Please contact your academic advisor. If you would like to change your major, your advisor can update your degree plan
in the system.
The list of concentrations and course offerings can be found here:
http://www.american.edu/soc/communication/degrees/BA-PRSC.cfm