CRC Symposium at Methodist University

Public Affairs Communication

Degree Type:
Bachelor’s Degree
Mode of Study:
On Campus

The Public Affairs Communication concentration is one of three concentrations available in the Applied Communication major, preparing students for a career in public affairs leadership.

Common Career Paths

Some of the top jobs for those with Public Affairs Communication bachelor degrees include marketing coordinator, public relations specialist, advocacy manager, government administrator, political consultant, and urban planner.

Common Salary Ranges for Graduates

As mentioned above, there’s a long list of career opportunities for those with Public Affairs Communication degrees. But, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions (which may require additional education) in North Carolina in 2021:

  • Public relations specialist: $73,250
  • Market research analyst and marketing specialist: $76,080
  • Urban and regional planner: $81,310

Average Tuition Cost

The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.

Interested in Methodist University’s Public Affairs Communication concentration?

If you have questions, reach out to the contact info at the bottom of the page. If you’re ready to apply today, click the button below!

Frequently Asked Questions

The Public Affairs Communication concentration is one of three concentrations available in the Applied Communication major, preparing students for a career in public affairs leadership.

Some of the top jobs for those with Public Affairs Communication bachelor degrees include marketing coordinator, public relations specialist, advocacy manager, government administrator, political consultant, and urban planner.

Major Requirements

The Applied Communication major with a concentration in Public Affairs Communication major consists of 30 credit hours distributed as follows:

Required Core Courses:

  • ACL 3540 Strategic Business and Professional Communication (3 credits)
  • ACL 4700 Applied Communication & Leadership in Organizations (3 credits)
  • ACL 4900 Internship 3credit

Required Statistics Course:

Select 3 credits from the following:

  • MAT 2200 Applied Statistics (3 credits)
  • SOC 2200 Applied Statistics (3 credits)
  • PSY 2500 Statistics for Psychology (3 credits)
  • BUS 2160 Statistics for Business and Economics (3 credits)
  • JUS 2200 Applied Statistics (3 credits)

Major Electives:

Select 12 credits from the following:

  • COM 1050 Introduction to Mass Communications (3 credits)
  • COM 2800 Mass Communications Theory (3 credits)
  • ACL 1500 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
  • ACL 1510 Speech Communication (3 credits)
  • ACL 2540 Strategic Business and Professional Communication (3 credits)
  • ACL 2600 Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication (3 credits)
  • ACL 2750 Small Group Communication Skills (3 credits)
  • ACL 3400 Theories and Techniques of Effective Listening (3 credits)
  • ACL 3600 Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication (3 credits)
  • ACL 3700 Results-Oriented Persuasion (3 credits)
  • ACL 3710 Effective Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
  • ACL 3900 Collaborative Conflict Management (3 credits)
  • LSS 3000 Principles of Leadership (3 credits)
  • LSS 3400 Issues in Contemporary Leadership (3 credits)

Public Affairs Communication Concentration Electives:

Select 9 credits from the following:

  • COM 3350 Public Relations (3 credits)
  • BUS 3770 Employment Law (3 credits)
  • BUS 3780 Labor Relations Law (3 credits)
  • ECO 1510 Macroeconomics (3 credits)
  • ECO 1520 Microeconomics (3 credits)
  • ENG 3210 Technical Writing (3 credits)
  • ENM 1010 Environmental Science (3 credits)
  • ENM 1700 Industrial Processes and Operations (3 credits)
  • ENM 2010 General Principles of Industrial Hygiene (3 credits)
  • ENM 2100 Introduction to Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
  • ENM 2500 Environmental Regulations I (3 credits)
  • ENM 2600 Introduction to Clandestine Labs (3 credits)
  • JUS 3150 Drugs, Crime, and Society (3 credits)
  • JUS 3300 Police in an Urban Society (3 credits)
  • LAW 2000 Introduction to Legal Studies (3 credits)
  • LAW 3100 Law and the Legal System (3 credits)
  • MSL 1010 Introduction to the Army and Critical Thinking (1 credit)
  • MSL 1020 Introduction to Tactical Leadership (1 credit)
  • MSL 2010 Leadership and Decision Making (2 credits)
  • MSL 2020 Foundations of Tactical Leadership (2 credits)
  • PSC 3050 Democratic Principles and Theory (3 credits)
  • PSC 3330 Public Administration (3 credits)
  • PSC 3510 International Relations (3 credits)
  • SOC 3320 Methods of Social Research (3 credits)