Advertising & Public Relations | Majors & Career Tracks

Every successful industry today recognizes the need to maintain strong lines of communication with target audiences.

Our Advertising and Public Relations program prepares you for the reality of the global communications world.

With a strong multimedia background and practical learning experiences, you’ll graduate poised to put your corporate communication skills to work.

Top Reasons to Choose FSC for
Advertising & Public Relations

Our students complete professional internships before graduation. Students can pursue internships in the major markets of Tampa and Orlando.
Relationships with professors extend beyond the classroom and beyond graduation. We continue to provide graduates with professional and career guidance.

All full-time communication professors hold masters degrees or higher and are members of professional organizations.
Students have the opportunity to present at state and national conferences to share campaigns and network with industry professionals.

Engaged Learning in the Classroom

In the Principles of Advertising and Public Relations course, you’ll receive an introduction into the worlds of advertising and public relations—and then work on a preliminary campaign for a local organization.

Through regular discussion about the creative aspects of award-winning commercials in class, you’ll develop your critical abilities for identifying what makes advertising effective and memorable.

In all your advertising classes, even your introductory ones, you’ll be asked to develop ads that illustrate the concepts being discussed.

See a complete list of advertising & public relations courses »

Departmental Clubs & Organizations

Advertising majors are encouraged to participate in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), which provides an opportunity to work on a real-life advertising campaign.

You’ll also have numerous opportunities to network with industry professionals and tour area advertising agencies as a member of AdFed, our student advertising organization.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

There are numerous sources for scholarships related to FSC’s different communications degrees. This is just a partial list of Web sites that offer information on scholarships related to advertising and public relations:

American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame Scholarship Public Relations Student Society of America Florida Public Relations Scholarships

Internship Opportunities

Our majors intern throughout the region at corporations, agencies, and non-profits such as:

Bartow Chamber of Commerce
Blue Lake Citrus Products
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
City of Lakeland
Cross Cultural Center
Detroit Tigers
Explorations V
Girl Scouts
Grapevine Communications
Hal Paul Enterprises
Hall Communications, Inc.
Heart of Florida United Way
Institute of Spanish Communication, Inc.
Kingston Partners
Lakeland Economic Development Council
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Lakeland Thunderbolts
Lion's Share Entertainment
Live Nation

Peabody Hotel Group
Peace River Center
Philadelphia Phillies
Polk County Board of County Commissioner
Polk County Public Schools
Polk Museum of Art
Polk Works
Publix Super Markets Inc.
SPCA
Supervisor of Elections
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
Total Events LLC
Universal Studios Orlando
Warner Southern College
Watson Clinic
YMCA

Graduate & Professional Opportunities

Our graduates have pursued advanced degrees at leading programs such as the University of Texas at Austin, University of West Florida, and the University of Central Florida.

News:

FSC Forensics Team Forensic Mocs Bring Home Nine Tournament Titles

Degree Requirements

Course Descriptions

Meet our Faculty

Arts & Sciences

Academic Quicklinks

Majors & Career Tracks Academic Calendar Course Catalog Student Solutions Center Office of the Provost Academics Home

Questions? Contact

Alex Ortiz
Assistant Professor of Advertising
863.680.3003
aortiz@flsouthern.edu

Special Features

FSC advertising students recently attended the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) student conference in Dallas, where they heard industry professionals talk about the latest trends in advertising.

Because we’re perfectly positioned between the Tampa and Orlando, we have easy access to industry professionals and internship opportunities. You’ll observe communications companies and network with industry professionals while visiting advertising agencies and media organizations in these major markets.

Your professors at FSC combine years of experience in advertising and speechwriting with academic expertise in market research and persuasive messaging.

You’ll also have numerous opportunities to network with industry professionals and tour area advertising agencies as a member of AdFed, our student advertising organization.

Degree Requirements

ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Major Requirements

A. General Education Requirements	40 hours
B. Major Requirements	48 hours

COM 2500	Desktop Publishing
COM/SPC 2600	Principles of Advertising and Public Relations
COM 3410	Advertising Creative
or
SPC 4350	Public Relations Strategies
COM 3420	Copy Writing
or
SPC 3450	Public Relations Writing
COM/SPC 4401	Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns I
COM/SPC 4402	Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns II
COM 4500	Communication Law and Ethics
or
COM/SPC 4999	Speech and Mass Communication Theory
COM/SPC 4550	Communication Research
COM/SPC 4960	Communication Internship
or
COM/SPC 4961	Communication Internship
SPC 1500	Fundamentals of Speech

Eight hours of ART, BUS, COM, MAT, or SPC electives.

One course chosen from the following:

COM 3330	Feature and Opinion Writing
COM 3500	Advanced Desktop Publishing
SPC3200	Persuasion

C. Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements	20 hours
or
D. Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements	12 hours
E. Electives	16-24 hours
F. Total	124 hours

Interested in minoring in Communications?

Advertising Design

To earn a minor in Advertising Design you must complete a total of twenty-fours hours chosen from the following:

ART 1120	Design Fundamentals
ART 2410	Typography and Layout
COM 2500	Desktop Publishing
COM 3410	Advertising Creative
COM/SPC 4400	Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns

One of the following courses:

ART 3410	Advanced Print Design
ART 3510	Web Design

Integrated Marketing Communication

To earn a minor in Integrated Marketing Communication you must complete a total of twenty-fours hours chosen from the following:

BUS 3160	Marketing Principles
BUS 4466	Marketing Research
BUS 4148	Marketing Management
COM/SPC 3400	Principles of Advertising and Public Relations
COM/SPC 4400	Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns

One of the following courses:

COM 2500	Desktop Publishing
COM 3410	Advertising Creative
COM 3420	Copy Writing
SPC 3450	Public Relations Writing
SPC 4350	Public Relations Strategies

Course Descriptions

Communications

COM 2500 DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Four hours. Using a simulated office environment, acquaint students with the basics of news media, public relations, and advertising electronic document layout for newspapers, brochures, magazines and on-line publications. Students learn basic management skills via peer centered critiques, coaching and mentoring.

COM 3330 FEATURE AND OPINION WRITING
Four hours. Prerequisite: COM 3300 or SPC 3450. The process and style of writing profiles, narrative non-fiction, travel features and opinion articles.

COM 3400 PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Four hours. Prerequisites: SPC 1500 and COM 2500 and completion of Effective Communication SLO A for majors; all non-majors require completion of Effective Communication SLOs A & B. Survey of advertising and public relations methods. Emphasis on preparation of advertisements, professional communication strategies and tactics, use of relevant research methodologies, and communication campaigns.

COM 3410 ADVERTISING CREATIVE
Four hours. Prerequisites: COM 2500 or ART 1020. A non-art course emphasizing the deadline-driven elements of advertising design in the professional world with an emphasis on agency needs.

COM 3420 COPYWRITING
Four hours. Prerequisite: COM 2500 and COM/SPC 3400. Emphasis on developing skills leading to understanding approaches to and organization of material necessary to writing advertising copy. The course requires completion of an advertising campaign including writing for national, retail, broadcast (radio and television) trade, and outdoor advertising.

COM 3500 ADVANCED DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Four hours. Prerequisite: COM 2500. Prepares aspiring communication professionals for real-world desktop publishing environments requiring professional software applications. Emphasis is placed on project asset management and integration of applications as they are used in a professional environment. Students practice basic management skills via peer centered critiques, coaching and mentoring. Creation of a portfolio is required.

COM/SPC 3550 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Four hours. Prerequisites: Either COM/SPC 3400 or COM 3300 and successful completion of four hours of the Systematic and Creative Thinking: Quantitative SLO. Students are introduced to quantitative and qualitative research methodologies used by communication professionals and researchers. The course focuses on proper application of methodologies and interpretation of data. Gen Ed: Ql

COM/SPC 4400 ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS
Four hours. Prerequisites: Either COM 3410 or SPC 4400 for majors. Either ART 3410 or ART 3510 or BUS 4148 for interdisciplinary minors. This course explores the orchestration of research, planning and communication skills for a client or employer seeking to achieve measurable outcomes that influence target publics.

COM/SPC 4960 COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP (FALL SEMESTER)
Four hours. Prerequisite: Majors only. All 3000-level concentration courses completed, minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, permission of internship coordinator. On-the-job experience in specific concentration. Supervision by cooperating practitioners and department faculty. Oral report and written reports on field experience required. 40 hours of on-the-job experience are required for each one semester hour of credit.

COM/SPC 4961 COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP (SPRING SEMESTER)
Four hours. Prerequisite: Majors only. All 3000-level concentration courses completed, minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, permission of internship coordinator. On-the-job experience in specific concentration. Supervision by cooperating practitioners and department faculty. Oral report and written reports on field experience required. 40 hours of on-the-job experience are required for each one semester hour of credit.

COM/SPC 4999 SPEECH AND MASS COMMUNICATION THEORY
Four hours. Prerequisites: Either COM/SPC 4400 or COM 4300 or SPC 3250, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Seminar in speech and mass communication theory and its role in the study of mediated and human communication. This course will explore foundations of communication research, memes in the literature, and current trends. Students will be responsible for writing a research paper focused on a topic of significance within the field of communication. Gen Ed: EC-C

For more COM courses, see Broadcast, Print, and Online Media »

SPEECH

SPC 1500 FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH
Four hours. Theory and practice of public address; preparation and delivery of short speeches; development of critical thinking and listening. Gen Ed: EC-B

SPC 3450 PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING
Four hours. Prerequisites: SPC 1500 and COM 2500. Students develop industry-appropriate writing skills and techniques including creation of press releases, backgrounders, pitch letters, and other relevant media products. This course focuses on using audience analysis, demographics, and pyschographics to tailor messages to specific audiences. Creation of a portfolio is required.

SPC 2250 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Four hours. A study of the dynamics of human communication in various settings. Course focus is on verbal and nonverbal messages, listening, conflict, and relationships. Group and partner discussions, oral presentations, and performances are important elements of class. Gen Ed: SW (Aw, Ap), EC-B

SPC 3200 PERSUASION
Four hours. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Effective Communication SLO A. An examination of the major theoretical perspectives and concepts related to persuasion. The course will familiarize students with major theories, areas of research, and ethical issues in the social scientific study and application of persuasion. Gen Ed: SW (Aw, An), EC-B

For more SPE courses, see Interpersonal Communication »

ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS
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Top Reasons to Choose FSC for
Advertising & Public Relations

Engaged Learning in the Classroom

Departmental Clubs & Organizations

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Internship Opportunities