Public Relations and Marketing Communications

You will learn to shape the identity of a brand, business, nonprofit, organization and/or individual by strategically telling compelling stories in a variety of formats designed for diverse audiences.

Student sitting with their computer

Public Relations Pros are versatile. From crafting influencer-relation campaigns, to writing speeches for politicians – our students are nimble, and ready for anything.

You will develop knowledge and skills in areas such as messaging strategy, content marketing, social media, crisis management, social media analytics,  advertising and branding. Through this program, you’ll  learn to disseminate those efforts strategically in today’s ever-changing media landscape.  Students benefit from a curriculum that integrates learning experiences in the classroom to real-world scenarios—allowing students to practice both strategic and tactical ways to solve problems, reach audiences, and hone in-demand communications skills.

Hands-on opportunities like membership in our Communications Liaison and our innovative student-run agency, Studio 5, help our students take advantage of experiential learning opportunities that attract employers. Faculty in both the Communications Department and the School of Business are also seasoned practitioners, drawing on their experience to prepare you for the real world of communications.

Employers recognize our students as critical assets to any creative team. They intern and find exciting careers in industries from agencies, to content strategy, to health care and everything in between.
 

Step One: Core Courses

COMM121 Visual Communication 4
COMM186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications 4
COMM281 Content Creation and Strategy 4

Step Two: Required Courses

STAT118 Introductory Statistics 4
COMM210 Introduction to Graphic Design 4
COMM286 Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding 4
COMM324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics 4
BUS270 Business Analytics 4
BUS250 Principles of Marketing 4

Step Three: Electives

Students select two courses from this list; one must be at the 300 level.

COMM122 Media Writing and Editing 4
COMM181 Public Speaking and Presentation 4
COMM312 Health Communications 4
COMM320 Media and the First Amendment 4
COMM323 Digital Cultures 4
BUS221 Project Management 4
BUS229 Corporate Social Responsibility: Managing People, Planet, & Profit 4
BUS230 Why We Buy 4
BUS251 Digital Marketing 4
COMM370 Internship 0
**While an internship isn’t mandatory, it is strongly recommended.

Step Four Capstone

COMM390 Studio 5: A Communication Workplace 4

Required:

COMM186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications 4
COMM281 Content Creation and Strategy 4
BUS250 Principles of Marketing 4

Electives (choose two):

COMM124 Media, Messages and Society 4
COMM181 Public Speaking and Presentation 4
COMM262 Media Convergence 4
COMM286 Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding 4
COMM323 Digital Cultures 4
BUS100 Introduction to Business and Management 4
BUS221 Project Management 4
BUS224 Social Action Leaders 4
BUS229 Corporate Social Responsibility: Managing People, Planet, & Profit 4
BUS230 Why We Buy 4
BUS231 Brand Management 4
BUS270 Business Analytics 4
BUS320 Negotiations 4
BUS335 Marketing Research 4

Online BA Public Relations and Marketing Communications

The public relations and marketing communications major is also available to students in our online program. Join tomorrow’s innovators on our digital campus to learn how to develop the future of tech—from anywhere

Internships are a key component of the Public Relations and Marketing Communications program as they prepare students to apply their skills across the communications spectrum. Seniors also have the unique opportunity to learn from leaders in the field during our annual trip to an agency in the spring.

Spotlight on Public Relations and Marketing Communications Studens and Alums

Gia Lebrun ’24

Reflecting on Community Service, Friendship, and Fun at Simmons

First-generation student Gia Elie ’24 has engaged in community service in the Boston area as part of the Alpha Kappa sorority. She has also been involved with the Black Student Organization and has completed two internships. She counts the friendships she has made at Simmons as one of her most transformative experiences.


Bart Brown ’24, Gia Elie ’24, Sunei Clarke ’24, and Sunday Ntoto ’24 of the Black Student Organization host the Cupcake Tabling event at Common Grounds on February 1, 2023

Black Student Organization Honors Black History Month with Food, Festivities, and Intergenerational Community

Throughout Black History Month, all students are welcome to express their solidarity with Simmons’ Black community over cupcakes, soul food, music, and dancing. We spoke with BSO’s Soul President Gia Elie ’24, Soul Vice President Sunei Clarke ’24, and Soul of Communications Bartianna Brown ’24 about their passion for Black history and co-curating events that celebrate their culture.


Gia Lebrun ’24

Gia Lebrun ’24 Shares her Perspective as a First-Generation Student at Simmons

We asked first-generation student Gia Lebrun ’24 about her perspective on the college experience and what advice she would give to prospective first-generation students.


Agency mentor Aaron Pickering, Vice President of Headstand, mentors Studio 5 students.

Studio 5 Imparts Real-World Industry Experience to Communications Students

Essentially a student-run communications agency, Studio 5 gives Communications students at Simmons a taste of real work experience. We spoke with Communications professors and recent alumnae/i about what makes Studio 5 such a successful exercise in experiential learning.


Maggie Knowles Headshot

Maggie Knowles '02 Helps Celebrate Local Food Culture and Agricultural Sustainability

As the Editor-in-Chief of edible MAINE, a print and digital magazine that explores Maine’s food scene, alumna Maggie Knowles promotes a holistic approach to the culinary arts and food production. Knowles spoke with us about her love for writing and food, and how Simmons helped her achieve her dreams.


Photo of Sherri Burnett

Sherri Burnett '24 Hones her Marketing Skills with a Full-time Job and Side Businesses

Sherri Burnett '24 Hones her Marketing Skills with a Full-time Job and Side Businesses Public Relations and Marketing/Communications major Sherri Burnett is pursuing her degree online from California. Simmons is giving her the tools she needs to further hone her...


2022 Orientation Leaders

Meet Your Orientation Leaders: Emily Marder '23, Katelyn Fox '25, Kiki Regan '23, Sophie Bredensteiner '23, and Tess Federico-Maietta '23

Emily Marder '23 is a Nursing major from Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Emily explains why she became an Orientation Leader: "I had fond memories of my orientation and liked how the Orientation Leaders were able to foster a community feeling and connect...


Kate Farrell

How the Ifill Forum Gave Kate Farrell ’23 Hope for Democracy

Kate Farrell ’23 fills us in on participating in the Ifill Forum and how alumna Gwen Ifill's legacy is felt in the Simmons classroom.