BA/BS in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Housed in the corporate communication and public affairs division of SMU's Meadows School of the Arts, this Bachelor of Arts readies students for careers overseeing strategic communication. Graduates are expected to lead outward-facing corporate and public affairs work with investors, customers, communities, activists and journalists, with attention to data analysis, business goals and crisis response. Coursework teaches students to use several modes of communication to build the relationships an organization depends on. They learn to write, produce digital content and speak persuasively, and they become skilled strategic narrators. They also learn to coordinate integrated programs, campaigns and resources that advance the interests of their employer. The curriculum is built around professional practice and is supported by internships, scholarships, honors and pre-law options, and study away in the United States and abroad. Twelve students are chosen each year for Hilltop on the Hill, a Washington, D.C. experience.