Department of Advertising and Public Relations

Advertising is the creative expression of strategic persuasive communication. Individuals and organizations use advertising to educate and motivate consumers, voters, employees, suppliers, shareholders, public interest groups, and the general public. Public relations is the creative expression of strategic persuasive communication to build relationships vital to the success of the organization. It is used by individuals and organizations to communicate and motivate consumers, voters, employees, suppliers, shareholders, public interest groups, and the general public.

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Programs

The Master of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations is designed for aspiring students who wish to gain advanced knowledge and expertise in creating and managing persuasive communication. The program is designed to help students transition from a tactical to a more strategic, managerial approach to the industry. Through an understanding of theory and industry trends, research-driven critical thinking and connections with top scholars and professionals, students who complete the program should be well-prepared for doctoral studies or to step into roles that will help them advance easily into mid-level management positions within their desired fields.

Faculty

Chair
  • Brooke McKeever
Professors
  • Kenon Brown
  • Karla Gower
  • Hyoungkoo Khang
  • Eyun-Jung Ki
  • Brooke McKeever
Associate professors
  • Brian Britt
  • Jameson Hayes
  • J. Suzanne Horsley
  • Lance Kinney
  • Laura Lemon
  • Robert McKeever
  • Martina Topic
  • Matthew VanDyke
Assistant professors
  • Mark Barry
  • Courtney Boman
  • Josh Bramlett
  • Nancy Brinson
  • Steven Holiday
  • Seoyeon Kim
  • Jihoon Kim
  • Dongjae Lim
  • Caleb Walters
Instructors
  • Susan Daria
  • Jared George
  • Randall Huffaker
  • Mike Little
  • Tracy Sims
  • Janet Walker
  • Jay Waters
  • Matthew Wisla

Courses

APR
522
Hours
3
Media Strategy and Analytics

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to use research to select appropriate media channels to communicate to stakeholders. Students will learn to create media briefings and plans for persuasive communication campaigns that include data-driven recommendations. Students will also learn how to retrieve, assess and visualize social media and web analytics.

APR
523
Hours
3
Media Relations

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to manage relationships with media gatekeepers in order to facilitate communication through their channels, including media selection, build relationships with gatekeepers, and interacting with the media through interviews and press conferences. Students will also learn how to track and analyze media coverage and sentiment using online tools.

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