Advertising and Public Relations

The core of advertising and public relations is about connecting people, like brands and consumers, nonprofit organizations and donors, government agencies and constituents, or corporations, workers and shareholders. Advertising and public relations majors learn how to develop valuable connections across these entities through strategic planning, critical thinking and versatile communication skills.

Preparing You For Success

An advertising and public relations major challenges you to learn outside the classroom. Instead of four years memorizing textbooks, you practice advertising and public relations through community-focused projects. These projects prepare you for the final portfolio competition — either with a full advertising campaign or  the Ebeling PR-ize, both senior capstones in which you create real-world campaigns for Peoria-based businesses and nonprofits. When you’re finished, you’ll understand how to develop socially responsible advertising for local, national and global audiences, as well as how to build relationships that benefit citizens and organizations. 

By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:

• Networking and professional development through the American Advertising Federation, Public Relations Student Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators
• A week assisting advertising and public relations staff at the Chicago Auto Show
• Internships with organizations such as The Peoria Rivermen, Anheuser-Busch, MGM, the American Red Cross, Peoria Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Holocaust Museum, FleishmanHillard, Epitaph Records and Walt Disney.

Making Your Mark

Advertising and public relations graduates are employed in both entry-level and senior executive positions at creative agencies, small and large companies, trade associations, government and nonprofit organizations. Recent Bradley advertising graduates are working as marketing, event and social media coordinators, as graphic designers and as media project managers with companies like Toyota, Caterpillar, the United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Yelp and S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Major Requirements

COM Core Courses - 9 hrs.

• COM 101: Survey of Communication - 3 hrs.
• COM 300: Communication Theory - 3 hrs.
• COM 417: Issues and Perspectives in Communication - 3 hrs.

Advertising & Public Relations Core Courses - 24 hrs.

• COM 201: Journalistic Writing - 3 hrs.
• COM 219: Public Relations - 3 hrs.
• COM 220: Advertising as Communication - 3 hrs.
• COM 320: Advertising Creative Strategy - 3 hrs.
• COM 322: Media Planning - 3 hrs.
• COM 325: Advertising Design and Production - 3 hrs.
• COM 327: Public Relations Writing - 3 hrs.
• COM 400: Communications Research - 3 hrs.

Advertising & Public Relations Capstone (choose one)

• COM 480: Public Relations: Case Studies & Campaigns - 3 hrs.
• COM 481: Advertising Campaigns - 3 hrs.

Advertising & Public Relations Electives (choose two)

• COM 360: Digital Journalism - 3 hrs.
• COM 383: Desktop Publishing - 3 hrs.
• COM 388: Social Media Communication - 3 hrs.
• COM 391: Topics in Communication - 1-3 hrs.
• COM 437: Advertising in A Global Environment - 3 hrs.
• COM 438: Public Relations in A Global Environment - 3 hrs.
• COM 447: Issues and Ethics in Advertising (WI) - 3 hrs.
• COM 480: Public Relations: Case Studies & Campaigns - 3 hrs.
• COM 481: Advertising Campaigns - 3 hrs.
• COM 491: Topics in Communication - 1-3 hrs.
• COM 494: Communication Expedition - 1-3 hrs.
• COM 495: Communication Internship - 1-3 hrs.