General Information

Globalization, technology, new attitudes toward work, workplace turbulence and the speed of change are all affecting organizations’ ability to communicate effectively and responsibly. Now, more than ever, the public relations professional must be ready to bring communication solutions to the challenges experienced in organizations large and small and across all sectors in society. The Bachelor of Communication - Public Relations degree at Mount Royal is designed for individuals interested in learning how to assist organizations to manage their communication with a variety of audiences and key stakeholders in ways that build and maintain ethical and mutually beneficial relationships.

The degree blends human and organizational communication theory with interdisciplinary curriculum that will allow students to learn and work with students in journalism, broadcasting and information design. As well, a strong General Education component, common to all Mount Royal degrees, will ensure breadth of study and the ability for students to pursue a discipline outside of communication more fully.

The Public Relations curriculum includes basic and strategic communication planning, research theory and design, international and intercultural communication, media relations, fund development and corporate philanthropy, issues management and crisis communications, and the basics of financial communication through a course in investor relations. Specific skills, critical to a successful public relations professional are learned through several intensive writing courses, computer mediated communication, the basics of layout and design, and event management.

Note: The nature and structure of the General Education component is common to all degrees.

Student Conduct

Public relations students are expected to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct as outlined for all students at Mount Royal. As well, students will learn and be held accountable for knowing and adhering to the Canadian Public Relations Society’s Code of Professional Standards. Any deliberate breaches to either Code, such as academic dishonesty, will incur consequences as outlined in the Mount Royal Code of Student Conduct at mtroyal.ca/studentconduct.

Continuance in the Program

Students accepted into the Bachelor of Communication - Public Relations degree must comply with all Mount Royal policies and regulations relating to baccalaureate degrees and continuance.

Communication Work Experience

To ensure our graduates are ready to take their place in the profession, Public Relations students are required to complete two non-credit, work experiences involving four months of full time supervised work in a public relations setting. These work experiences not only put newly learned skills to work, they expand the students’ network, build confidence and create opportunities to travel. Students in the Public Relations program take their first work experience during the summer following their third year, and the second in the winter semester of their final (fourth) year. To be eligible, all students must complete a range of prerequisites. Both work experiences involve professional placements and, as such, the program chair can, for a fixed period, deny eligibility to any student who has acted in an inappropriate and unprofessional manner during the preparation phase. Any student who receives a work experience assessment of Fail for exhibiting professional misconduct will be ineligible to continue in core courses until the work experience has been successfully completed or may be required to withdraw from the program, subject to the terms of the Student Code of Conduct.

Certificate of Achievement in International Communication

Students in any major of the Bachelor of Communication (BCMM), offered through the School of Communication Studies (FCS), may obtain a Certificate of Achievement in International Communication following completion of a number of courses: including at least two courses in a second language, three courses with an international focus in a range of disciplines, and an acceptable international volunteer, study abroad, or work experience. Students may satisfy requirements of the certificate while completing their degree, with completed courses counting towards both. In doing so they will use some of their general education course requirements at level two or three, some of their communication courses, and some or all of the four elective courses in their program of study. Completing the certificate within the framework of the degree requires planning beginning in year one of the degree programs. Interested students may obtain a full description of the requirements and processes from their program chair.

General Admission Requirements

All students must meet the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University programs as indicated in the Admission  section of this Calendar.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements, indicated in the Admission  section of this calendar, applicants must also satisfy the following criteria:

Academic Course Requirements

The following specific courses (or equivalencies) with the specified minimum grades are required for admission into the Bachelor of Communication - Public Relations program.

• English Language Arts 30-1 - 60%
• Social Studies 30-1

Although Conditional Admission may be granted in advance of receipt of final/official transcripts, confirmation of the achievement of specified minimum grades will take place after all final/official transcripts have been received by the University. Applicants who do not meet these minimum grade requirements will be denied admission.

Additional Criteria

In addition to meeting all academic admission requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Interview with public relations faculty

Transfer Credit

Students who have completed (in good standing) a diploma in public relations from Grant MacEwan University or Kwantlen University College, or other Universities in Canada may be eligible for transfer credit. Public Relations is a distinct discipline and students considering transfer must appreciate the importance of the need for required foundation courses in public relations theory and writing.