Public Relations

Official Program Checksheet 

Why Choose Public Relations?

The Public Relations major at Ferris is one of the only programs in the nation offered as a business curriculum; a distinction not lost on employers who consider the combination both logical and highly desirable. Additionally, Ferris has the only nationally certified PR program (CEPR) in the state of Michigan, and one of only 27 in the nation. The solid business curriculum is combined with eight PR-specific courses, more than any program in the state. Our faculty brings both real-world experience and professional certification (APR) to the classroom, where students are required to work on real projects for real clients. The program’s proven excellence and distinctive offerings give our graduates a real competitive advantage in the workplace.

Career Opportunities

Public Relations is cited as one of the fastest growing professions, with anticipated growth of more than 24% through 2018 (US Dept. of Labor). According to the Public Relations Society of America, the average practitioner’s salary is $69,000, with starting salaries ranging from $35-50,000. Top PR executives can make well into the six-figure salary range. Our program requires students to start the career search process early by making excellent contacts through job shadows, business networking, and internships. Graduates land jobs with corporate, nonprofit, and governmental organizations throughout the United States (and beyond).

Admission Requirements

New Students: 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and two of the three criteria below: (1) English ACT score of 16 or higher, or SAT Writing score of 370 or higher; (2) Math ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Math score of 460 or higher; (3) Reading ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Reading score of 430 or higher.

Transfer Students: Combined college or university GPA of 2.35 (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA is based on completion of 12 credit hours or more. Transfer equivalency for FSU ENGLISH 150 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT English score of 16 or higher; Compass score 70 – 100. Transfer equivalency for FSU MATH 115 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT Math score of 19 or higher; Compass Algebra score 46 - 74 and HS Algebra with 2.0. 

Exceptions for New and Transfer Students: Applicants not meeting the above criteria but having a 2.35 High School GPA and at least a 16 ACT in Math and Reading and a 13 ACT in English (2.00 Overall GPA for Transfer Students) can be considered for conditional admission in a College of Business Pre-Program. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office.

Pre-Program students must complete a minimum of 12 FSU credits (excluding developmental courses) with a 2.35 GPA; courses must include ENGL 150 and MATH 115 before being considered for admission into their program of choice. Students must meet admission criteria for their chosen degree program by the time they have earned 30 credits.

More Information:
Additional guidance can be found on the College of Business Webpage under the Admissions tab.

General Education Requirements

All general University General Education requirements can be found here: http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/academics/gened/courses/GenEd-bachelor.pdf

Please consult this link for a complete listing of General Education Electives: https://wwws.ferris.edu/academics/gened/courses/

Graduation Requirements

The Public Relations program at Ferris leads to a bachelor of science degree in business with a major in Public Relations. Graduation requires a minimum 2.0 GPA in the core courses, in the major and overall.

More Information

Marketing Department
119 South Street/BUS 212
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2284
Phone: 231-591-2426
Email: [email protected]

The College of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP.) Next Accreditation Review is February 2018.
http://www.acbsp.org