Master's in Public Relations & Corporate Communications
On-Campus Course Schedule for Fall 2024

Cause Consulting

Cause Consulting is a signature course in the PRCC program. It offers a cohort of students an applied learning experience by working collaboratively in small consulting teams to refine and implement communications plans for social impact clients, such as nonprofits or socially responsible businesses. It's also an opportunity to explore students’ leadership potential to create positive social impact throughout their careers, as they go through a semester-long journey to become consultants. Students who complete the course are recognized with the designation of Cause Consultants, which allows them to participate in exclusive opportunities through the Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC).

Note: Students must successfully complete Elements MPPR 5003 before taking this course.

Creative & Generative AI

In this course, we face these issues head-on, building an understanding of what is possible with generative AI, and how people can best leverage them in artistic domains. This course provides an overview of generative AI, defining its role and capabilities in creating novel content. The course focuses on the practical applications of generative AI in various creative domains. Students will explore how AI is used to generate visual art, create music, design products, and even write creative literature. The course will showcase a range of case studies and examples where generative AI has been successfully implemented, offering insights into its transformative potential. Students will also engage with the creative process behind generative AI. This involves understanding the human-AI collaboration in creative work, and exploring how artists and designers can guide AI to enhance creativity rather than replace it. Discussions will include the ethical considerations and implications of AI-generated content, particularly regarding originality, copyright, and authorship. We will also examine issues of bias and the future of work as generative AI reshapes the global market for creative content. Students will be introduced to careers in the intersection of AI and creative fields, hearing from guest speakers on different strategies for participating in and benefiting from the generative AI transformation. They will learn the fundamentals of how these models are trained and how they produce creative outputs. Then, they will build on this knowledge to see firsthand where AI shines, where it reaches its current limitations, and how they can use AI to reach their own creative goals. Upon completion of the course, students will have AI-assisted artifacts of their own design, as well as frameworks and processes that they can apply to new technologies still to come.

Dig. Analytics & Measurement

Must have completed MPPR 505 (5003) – Elements of Communications Planning and MPPR 502 (5002) - Research Methods for Public Relations Cross-listed with MPMC-7100-01

Note: Must have completed MPPR 505 – Elements of Communications Planning Cross-listed with MPMC-806-01

Elements of Comm Planning

Mastering communications planning is a building block for success in MPS PR/CC and in your career. Students learn the Georgetown way of step-by-step communications planning. The course focuses on each of the elements in-depth and provides opportunities for practice and ultimately mastery. Each element of the model builds on the next starting with the research to create a situational analysis to learning the difference between a goal and objective and strategies and tactics. Students learn how to identify key publics and to create targeted messaging. Evaluation and creating a budget and timeline are also examined. At the end of the course, students understand the planning model and know how to apply it a range of communications challenges. Students are prepared for their capstone experience and other coursework.

Note: Foundation course requirement for the PRCC program. Students must successfully complete MPPR 502/5002 and MPPR 508/5001 before registering for this course.

Entertainment Communications

Entertainers, athletes, artists, and others in the public eye can lend their voice to issues to strengthen engagement and impact. This course will arm students with the resources to identify and develop strategies for connecting people with influence to causes in an authentic way, with purpose, that garners results. The course will discuss best practices, real-world case studies, and real-time partnerships in the media and other through communications channels.

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 500/5000 before registering for this course.

Govt Relations & Lobbying

Government relations is a specialized branch of public relations that assists organizations in communicating with directorate publics. It includes learning how to influence the actions, policies, and decisions of individuals. By building a relationship between organizations and governmental bodies, progress is made toward lobbying efforts, advocacy initiatives, and regulatory issues that impact hearts, minds, and bottom lines. Through this course, students will train to become leaders in government communications and gain acumen in how to help organizations push their agendas forward. From learning laws and techniques for advocacy, to changing and/or maintaining policy, to using advanced-level persuasion techniques, to influencing actions or decisions of officials, this course will cover the necessary ground to prepare students for a successful career at a state, national, or global scale.

Note: Students must successfully complete Elements MPPR 5003 before taking this course.

Int Media & Partnership Strat

In today's fast-paced, always-changing media world, it's never been harder, or more important, to develop a strong, integrated brand strategy to get the right message to the right person at the right moment. In this class, students will learn how to develop and analyze media mix strategies including earned, owned, and paid marketing channels to effectively reach different audiences. You will learn the principles and practices of how different media channels can be strategically leveraged to achieve business outcomes. One channel that is gaining popularity again as part of modern-day marketing strategies is Partnerships. They can range from inexpensive to a very costly initiatives and require a strategy in itself. This course will include a deep dive section on what types of partnerships are trending, how partnerships can support meeting business goals, and how to evaluate and negotiate a partnership proposal as part of an integrated plan.

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 5000/500, MPPR 502/5002, MPPR 508/5001, and MPPR 505/5003 before registering for this course.

Media Relations

Effective media and influencer relations are key to relationship building in today's communications landscape. By intimately understanding the news cycle - and the stakeholders within it - a practitioner has the opportunity to educate the public and elevate their client's mission and message. In this course, students will become familiar with multimedia sources and evaluate their impact on public opinion. Further, students will acquire a sophisticated understanding of how information becomes news and break through the clutter to get their clients noticed. Additionally, students will develop techniques that yield success in writing and pitching, including research on beats/segments, headline/subject line writing, newsjacking, social media engagement, and best practices for follow up. Learning Outcomes Across Both Courses: · Analyze the current media landscape for headlines, sentiments, and opportunities to engage. · Demonstrate how to maximize positive coverage or change public opinion. · Apply principles of relationship building to engage with journalists, producers, and influencers. · Develop pitches for multimedia outlets that have the potential to create news. · Create a media relations portfolio of writing samples for resume building and career opportunities.

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 500/5000 and MPPR 508/5001 before registering for this course.

MPS PR/CC Internship I

This one-credit course is designed to give credit for students doing an internship with an organization that requires them to receive credit. The internships should be substantive and have the goal of providing relevant industry experience, portfolio items or other professional work for students to use when looking for jobs. This course is also meant as a way to help support students who are doing internships. Students are expected to check in every week with the instructor about their experience so that the instructor can give guidance for the internship and for working within a professional organization. Students must ask for permission to take this course.

Note: Please reach out to your Program Director for approval for this course. You will be manually added to it after filling out the appropriate paperwork. This course does not meet weekly.

MPS PR/CC Internship II

Note: Please reach out to your Program Director for approval to be manually added to this course. You will be manually added to it after filling out the appropriate paperwork. This course does not meet weekly.

MPS PR/CC Internship III

This one-credit course is designed to give credit for students doing an internship with an organization that requires them to receive credit. The internships should be substantive and have the goal of providing relevant industry experience, portfolio items or other professional work for students to use when looking for jobs. This course is also meant as a way to help support students who are doing internships. Students are expected to check in every week with the instructor about their experience so that the instructor can give guidance for the internship and for working within a professional organization.

Note: Subject to department approval - please contact the PRCC (MPPR) department via email.

Personal Branding

Thought leadership and personal branding are two essential, yet often ambiguous ingredients in a career strategy. This course will arm students with the resources to evaluate, improve, and employ personal branding strategies for themselves and for key members of their organizational team. The course will discuss personal branding strategies in both digital and event contexts – including social media platforms, presentations, and networking opportunities. Note: Students must have completed core/foundation courses MPPR 500 Ethics and MPPR 508 PR Writing to register for this course.

Note: Students must successfully complete PR Ethics MPPR 5000 and PR Writing MPPR 5001 before taking this course.

Pitching and Public Speaking

The most important part of any successful communications career is the ability to present your business ideas clearly. Frankly, it doesn’t matter how smart or well prepared you are unless you’re able to communicate effectively with others. We know that presentations are not exclusively one person, standing alone at a podium. They are often impromptu, in groups, to various audiences and even in written form. Therefore, this course will explore all types of persuasive presentations and help you grow your skillset for many opportunities. Through lectures, class exercises, workshops and (of course) presentations of various lengths, this course will give you the tools to craft effective communications. The overall goal is for you to feel comfortable presenting yourself and your ideas with the right supporting materials.

PR & Corp Comm Capstone

Capstone is the final academic opportunity to assess and apply your strategic communications skills and knowledge. The course focuses on the comprehensive skills you have built throughout your time in MPS PR/CC by evaluating your writing, strategic thinking, creativity, and ethical framework in a real-time context. During your final challenge, you will apply your strategic communications skills to an existing communications challenge identified by a company/organization of your choosing. Working individually, you will respond to a communication problem or opportunity for your client. At the close of the semester, you will be expected to write and present a well-researched, insightful, creative plan that illuminates how your strategic considerations will lead to positive outcomes for your client. Your plan will tell the story of the original research, implementation plan, timelines and budget necessary to meet the client’s communication goal. Although the primary focus for the semester is on creating a comprehensive plan, there will be in-class assignments to review and diagnose your mastery of specific concepts in strategic communications planning and responsible communication. The capstone experience is intended to ensure you have the strategic skills and confidence necessary to be a leader in responsible communication, and provide a unique networking and career-enhancing opportunity. In addition to the minimum, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation from the MPS PR/CC program, you must receive a minimum grade of a B in the capstone course to graduate. Students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, who receive a final grade of a B- or below may receive one opportunity to retake the course, if approved by the associate dean.

Note: Core requirement for MPS degree and a minimum grade of "B" is needed to pass. Cannot be taken concurrently with any other required course. Must be taken in the student's final semester as they finish all coursework.

PR & Corp Comm Capstone

Capstone is the final academic opportunity to assess and apply your strategic communications skills and knowledge. The course focuses on the comprehensive skills you have built throughout your time in MPS PR/CC by evaluating your writing, strategic thinking, creativity, and ethical framework in a real-time context. During your final challenge, you will apply your strategic communications skills to an existing communications challenge identified by a company/organization of your choosing. Working individually, you will respond to a communication problem or opportunity for your client. At the close of the semester, you will be expected to write and present a well-researched, insightful, creative plan that illuminates how your strategic considerations will lead to positive outcomes for your client. Your plan will tell the story of the original research, implementation plan, timelines and budget necessary to meet the client’s communication goal. Although the primary focus for the semester is on creating a comprehensive plan, there will be in-class assignments to review and diagnose your mastery of specific concepts in strategic communications planning and responsible communication. The capstone experience is intended to ensure you have the strategic skills and confidence necessary to be a leader in responsible communication, and provide a unique networking and career-enhancing opportunity. In addition to the minimum, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation from the MPS PR/CC program, you must receive a minimum grade of a B in the capstone course to graduate. Students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, who receive a final grade of a B- or below may receive one opportunity to retake the course, if approved by the associate dean.

Note: Core requirement for MPS degree and a minimum grade of "B" is needed to pass. Cannot be taken concurrently with any other required course. Must be taken in the student's final semester as they finish all coursework.

PR Ethics: Integrity and Care

Public Relations Ethics: Theory, Integrity, and Care for the Whole Person. In keeping with Georgetown University’s Jesuit values and commitment to justice and the common good, Public Relations Ethics is a core course in the Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. The MPS program aims to educate and care for the whole person and believes that this process starts with the study of ethics. Valued public relations professionals are key advisors to their clients, serving as essential partners in creating strategic approaches to long-term success. The ability to anticipate challenges, deliberate between competing concerns, and present a persuasive case for recommended actions will marks a true leader. Public Relations Ethics explores what it means to practice public relations in a way that serves the public and clients, enhances the profession, and demonstrates personal integrity. This course is required for all MPS students and must be completed by the second semester in the program. Note: Core requirement for the MPS degree. Students must receive a grade of a "B" or better to pass the course.

Note: In-Person / Online course format. Some classes will meet in-person, and others via Zoom (SYNC modality). This format DOES NOT meet in-person requirements for international students. | Core requirement for the PRCC degree. This class requires a "B" grade or better.

PR Ethics: Integrity and Care

Public Relations Ethics: Theory, Integrity, and Care for the Whole Person. In keeping with Georgetown University’s Jesuit values and commitment to justice and the common good, Public Relations Ethics is a core course in the Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. The MPS program aims to educate and care for the whole person and believes that this process starts with the study of ethics. Valued public relations professionals are key advisors to their clients, serving as essential partners in creating strategic approaches to long-term success. The ability to anticipate challenges, deliberate between competing concerns, and present a persuasive case for recommended actions will marks a true leader. Public Relations Ethics explores what it means to practice public relations in a way that serves the public and clients, enhances the profession, and demonstrates personal integrity. This course is required for all MPS students and must be completed by the second semester in the program. Note: Core requirement for the MPS degree. Students must receive a grade of a "B" or better to pass the course.

Note: Core requirement for the PRCC degree. This class requires a "B" grade or better.

Public Relations Writing

Despite Internet-driven mass communications' impact on public relations strategies, a core strength of any successful communications professional is a solid understanding of what is newsworthy, coupled with strong writing skills. This course is designed to help students develop professional writing skills expected of PR practitioners, and covers many forms of public relations writing including press releases, statements, public service announcements, media correspondence, media advisories, newsletter articles, fact sheets, and talking points. Good writing takes practice, hard work, discipline, focus and persistence. Through in-class assignments and homework, students will learn to organize and plan their writing both with and without deadline pressure. Successful students will be able to continue in their PR career or pursue a job in public relations with the assurance that they have had professional exposure to a breadth of writing that will serve them well in their professional lives.

Research Methods for PR

The best ideas are only as good as the research behind them. This statement is top-of-mind for every PR practitioner, and is the key to success for every communications plan. Through this course, students will get in-depth training in executing secondary and primary research and will learn how to obtain actionable insights that can be used to support/guide/inform decision-making within the organization. Beginning with the foundations of audience targeting, as well as hypothesis and research question development, students will learn how to set the stage for meaningful inquiry. Then, students will learn about the different types of primary research and work to uncover key insights that help develop client recommendations. The course will conclude through simulations of real-world research activities, like mock focus groups, Qualtrics surveys, and interviews, as well exploring case studies from today's headlines. By the end of the semester, students will not only be prepared to conduct communications research, but create data-driven solutions that solve today's most pressing communication problems.

Note: In-Person / Online course format. Some classes will meet in-person, and others via Zoom (SYNC modality). This format DOES NOT meet in-person requirements for international students.

Social Media

Social media is the interaction between individuals to create, share, and exchange information. Platforms are ever-changing, always exciting, and forever in need of strategic practitioners to manage the conversation. Through this course, students will develop the skills necessary to communicate and engage with key publics on social media. The course will begin by exploring the differences between legacy and emerging (new and trendy) social media, and how to determine which to use to best achieve client goals and objectives. Students will then apply their new-found platform fluency to practice developing engaging content, write resonating copy, and monitor for impact. In addition, the course will focus on community management practices, social listening techniques, and social media campaign measurement, helping students prepare for real-time strategy and activation. By the end of the experience, students will have hands-on experience developing social media campaigns and be prepared to integrate effectively into communications planning.

Note: Students must successfully complete Elements MPPR 5003 before taking this course.