April 17, 2024
Social media skills are essential for effective Public Relations, but it’s so much more than knowing how to write a good post. Public Relations specialists also need strong skills in writing, multimedia, critical thinking and ethics to be able to shape the image of a company, a cause, a celebrity, an elected official or a public institution such as a university or a government office. We invite you to explore the FAQs below and attend a Q&A session on Zoom to learn more about this new minor offered by CSUN Journalism.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Who is eligible to add the Public Relations Minor?
This minor is available to students whose major is outside of the Journalism Department.
Q: How will a Public Relations Minor benefit me?
Key benefits include enhancing your competitiveness in the job market and preparing for roles in communications and public relations. The field of public relations is anticipated to see a steady 7% growth by 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Whether you aim to launch your own venture or nonprofit, aspire to become a social media influencer or pursue the career of your choice, a solid foundation in public relations is invaluable. Such expertise equips you to effectively amplify media coverage for your endeavors.
Q: What will I learn by completing a Public Relations Minor?
You will learn to:
Write for a diverse audience, using proper grammar and punctuation, word usage and spelling, sentence and storytelling structures across multiple formats.
Think critically, creatively and independently.
Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically to connect with diverse communities.
Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the public relations profession to communicate for and with diverse audiences.
Q: What courses do I need to take to complete the Public Relations Minor?
Lower Division Requirements (9 units)
JOUR 110/L News Reporting I and Lab (2+1)
JOUR 225 Multimedia Storytelling (3)
JOUR 255 Introduction to Public Relations (3)
Upper Division Requirements (6 units)
JOUR 341 Writing for Public Relations (3)
JOUR 365 News Literacy (3)
Electives (6 units; select two classes from the following)
JOUR 362 Public Relations Campaigns (3)
JOUR 440 Public Relations Management (3)
JOUR 495A-Z Selected Topics in Journalism (3)
Q: How many units do I need to finish?
You will complete the minor in a total of 21 units.
Q: How fast can I earn a public relations minor?
You can complete the requirements in three semesters if you follow this path:
Semester 1:
JOUR 110/L News Reporting I and Lab (pre-req: grade of C or better in lower-division writing requirement)
JOUR 255 Introduction to Public Relations (pre-req: grade of C or better in lower-division writing requirement)
JOUR 365 News Literacy (pre-req: completion of lower-division writing requirement)
Semester 2:
JOUR 225 Multimedia Storytelling (pre-req: grade of C or better in JOUR 110/L)
JOUR 341 Writing for Public Relations (pre-req: grade of C or better in JOUR 255)
JOUR 362 Public Relations Campaigns (pre-req: grade of C or better in JOUR 255)
Semester 3:
JOUR 440 Public Relations Management (pre-req: grade of C or better in JOUR 341)
JOUR 495A-Z Selected Topics in Journalism(pre-req: upper-division standing required)
Q: How many GE classes count towards the public Relations Minor?
JOUR 365 News Literacy (3) in GE Plan G or GE Plan R.
Q: Do I need to apply for the Public Relations Minor before I start taking any classes?
No, you can get started in the classes listed above in Semester 1 without declaring a PR minor, as long as you have fulfilled the lower-division writing requirement.
Q: When should I apply for the Public Relations Minor?
You should declare your minor through your CSUN Portal as soon as you have made a decision to pursue the PR minor.
Q: Will the Public Relations Minor show up in my degree progress report (DPR)?
Yes, the minor will be displayed near the bottom of your DPR. You can—and should—include it on your resume.
Q: How can I get more information?
We will host a “Public Relations Minor Q&A Session” on Zoom on Wednesday, May 8 from 1-1:30 p.m.
Please register for the workshop via the following link: https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMoc-GvrD8qHdROmS5nOGJhjhKwEII-cboj
If you can’t attend the workshop on May 8, you can watch a recording of a previous workshop here: https://mycsun.box.com/s/0jhzspph4r7olq1tkefu1ypmsqvj3bq4
If you need additional information, please email the Journalism Department at jour99@csun.edu to schedule an advisement appointment.