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Communication: Advertising and Public Relations

Advertising and Public Relations serves as a critical touchstone between the worlds of art and commerce.

You will learn to be critical consumers of media while exploring the process of creating and executing persuasive messages that will resonate with target audiences.

With a strong multimedia background and practical learning experiences, you’ll graduate poised to put your corporate communication skills to work. Gain the skills necessary to pursue jobs in creative fields, advertising, public relations, and marketing.

Top Reasons

Go Beyond

Develop key relationships with professors and network with industry professionals by establishing partnerships that will extend well beyond your time of study at Florida Southern College. Students are encouraged to join Lux 12, our very own student-run digital marketing agency, which provides social media and other communications content to local brands. It’s a great way to build real-world and portfolio experience.

Guaranteed Internships

Our students are guaranteed an internship where they can apply critical concepts and skills learned in the classroom. These internships also serve as key networking opportunities with professionals that often extend after graduation.

Industry Relevant Experience

We focus on an industry-leading curriculum that highlights the latest trends in the marketing space. Our instructors bring years of experience into the classroom to help make course content as real life as possible.

Conference Opportunities

Interested in presenting your academic work before a panel of peers and judges? The Department of Communication provides valuable opportunities to present your work at statewide and national academic conferences and competitions.

Location, Location, Location

The Department of Communication is located in Lakeland, directly between the two major media markets of Tampa and Orlando, which gives you valuable options when choosing your professional internship or developing your career path. Other key media markets in South Florida are just a short drive away.

AdFed and FPRA

Join AdFed or Florida Public Relations Association, Florida Southern’s student-run professional networking organizations. Our monthly campus meetings bring local and nationally recognized speakers to talk with students about the latest trends in the industry.

Meet Our Mocs

Dominic Mottola
Jessie Praley
Kelsey Elmhorst
Sarah Dube
Wendy Kiesewetter
Cara T. Mackie, Ph.D.

Featured Faculty

Cara T. Mackie

In the classroom, I not only teach theories of human communication, but also help students become better communicators. I start my courses by stating, 'It will take hard work to succeed, but I will work just as hard to be there for you. We are in this together. I believe in you.' Students leave my class with a better understanding of themselves and with confidence to succeed in various forms of interpersonal relationships.

Clubs And More

Advertising majors are encouraged to participate in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), which provides an opportunity to work on a real-life advertising campaign.

You’ll have numerous opportunities to network with industry professionals and tour advertising agencies as a member of our student advertising and public relations organizations.

Advertising majors are encouraged to participate in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), which provides an opportunity to work on a real-life advertising campaign.

You’ll have numerous opportunities to network with industry professionals and tour advertising agencies as a member of our student advertising and public relations organizations.

Program Details

AVAILABLE IN:

BA

BS

Minor

Admission Requirements

First-Years

All freshman applicants to Florida Southern Colleges full-time degree programs must submit the following information:

Transfers

Applying to Florida Southern as a transfer student is easy.

If transferring less than 24 credits, we also need your:

  • Official high school transcript
  • SAT and/or ACT scores

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Internationals

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Program Contact

Cara T. Mackie Cara T. Mackie, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Communication

Department Chair

Chatlos Building

 863.680.3863

 863.680.6244

Office of Admissions Office of Admissions

France Admissions Center

 863.680.4131