Public communication & advocacy emphasis

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Public Communication and Advocacy Emphasis

 

This emphasis area focuses on the use of communication as a tool to accomplish specific goals in the public sector. Many of our students who work in Public Communication & Advocacy are interested in careers centered in civic life, law, government, politics, or the non-profit sector – because they want to be opinion leaders who make the world a better place for all of us. This emphasis area will involve students in multiple opportunities to build their writing, speaking, and problem-solving abilities. Students will also learn about public issues and the debate/ discussion of those issues in the public sector. It’s quite common to have one of our students intern with U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse). After graduation, many of our students have gone on to work in Congressional offices in Washington, or have found employment with foundations or non-profit organizations. Others have gone to work in the lucrative field of pharmaceutical sales.

Student Learning Outcomes: Public Communication & Advocacy

Students in the Public Communication & Advocacy emphasis will achieve the following learning outcomes after completing the major:

Public Message Construction: Create ethical and effective persuasive messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and or/context 

Public Communication Perspectives: Employ theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts to analyze public communication and advocacy artifacts. 

Diverse Messages: Use public communication and advocacy theories to analyze and construct messages that engage with diverse audiences  

Communication Studies Major: Public Communication & Advocacy 
Emphasis Requirements

(All colleges, excluding Teacher Certification programs): 39 credits

Core requirements: CST 190, 301, 498, 499. Required: CST 211, 315, and 413. At least three credits from the following: CST 210, 310, 410, and 415.

Nine credits of electives selecting a course from each of the following emphasis areas:

  • Organizational & Professional Emphasis (three credits): CST 260, 350, 351, 354, 355, 360, 365, 380
  • Interpersonal Emphasis (three credits): CST 230, 330, 332, 333, 334, 336, 337, 338
  • Media Studies Emphasis (three credits): CST 270, 271, 274, 338, 370, 371, 372, 374, 376, 378, 419, 471, 480

Electives (minimum six credits) from any CST course excluding CST 110.

Communication Studies Minor: Public Communication & Advocacy 
Emphasis Requirements

(All colleges, excluding Teacher Certification programs): 24 credits 

Required: CST 190, 211, 315, and 412 or 413. At least three credits from the following: CST 210, 310, 410, 412, 413, 415.

Nine credits of electives selecting a course from each of the other emphasis areas:

  • Organizational & Professional Emphasis (three credits): CST 260, 350, 351, 354, 355, 360, 365, 380
  • Interpersonal Emphasis (three credits): CST 230, 330, 332, 333, 334, 336, 337, 338
  • Media Studies Emphasis (three credits): CST 270, 271, 274, 338, 370, 371, 372, 374, 376, 378, 419, 471, 480

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