Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies: Public Relations

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for COMMUNICATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

By meeting the following criteria, you are guaranteed admission into the University of Lynchburg. This agreement does not guarantee your enrollment in any specific major.

• Graduate from a transfer-oriented degree program at a Virginia community college
• Graduate with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Submit an official transcript showing completion of the associate degree

Please visit the TransferVirginia.org portal to find course requirements for different majors (Transfer Tools) and Transfer Guides that outline course requirements for specific majors (Resource Center).

Important Links & Dates:

• Transfer Information: https://www.lynchburg.edu/undergraduate-admission/for-applicants/transfer-and-access-adult-student-guide/
• Apply by July 31 for Fall semester
• Apply by December 19 for Spring semester
• Admission Application: https://www.lynchburg.edu/undergraduate-admission/for-applicants/how-to-apply/transfer-application-steps/
• Financial Aid: https://www.lynchburg.edu/undergraduate-admission/financial-aid/
• FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Apply at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org
• Connect with an advisor at your community college and University of Lynchburg within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

In our public relations emphasis, you’ll dive into how businesses build good relationships with everyone they interact with.

During this program, you’ll learn about different kinds of media that share important information about a product, service, or event. You’ll explore the roots of public relations and create a collection of work. This includes media pitches, news releases, public service announcements, and a full plan for a promotion or event.

Our program helps you understand how to communicate in a global society. You’ll also use your new knowledge in real-life situations. This includes creating, carrying out, and evaluating a campaign for an actual client.

You’ll not only get better at writing for mediums like TV, radio, and the internet, but you’ll also learn how to solve problems, think of solutions, and make big decisions in a world where digital communication is always changing and growing.

What Is the Impact on My Degree of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Fulfills the majority of DELL General Education courses. DELL 400W: Senior-Year Seminar is still required.
• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Lynchburg does not differentiate between an Associate degree earned through a Dual Enrollment program and one earned in attendance at a VCCS institution.
• Credit for Prior Learning: AP, IB, CLEP, and DANTES are evaluated for credit.
• Catalog Year: Catalog year is determined by the first semester attended at the University of Lynchburg.

Is This College Right For Me?

• University of Lynchburg (known as Lynchburg College until 2018) is a small, private university in Lynchburg, Virginia offering more than 100 academic programs including master’s and doctoral level degrees.
• Lynchburg is a welcome and inclusive community open to all students seeking to be an active part of engaged learning, developing mentoring relationships with faculty, participating in student life and community service on and off campus in an effort to be responsible citizens now and in the future.
• Scholarships and financial aid are awarded to all students and are often equal to the cost of attending a public university.
• Recognized as one of forty colleges that change lives in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” which has brought national recognition to UL, we are also recognized in US News & World Report and Princeton Review.

Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree satisfies the majority of your DELL general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor’s degree?
• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at the University of Lynchburg?
• Up to 76 credits are eligible for transfer at the University of Lynchburg? Priority will be given to major courses, minor courses, and general education courses covered from transfer credit.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

Common careers and salaries include the following:

• Account executive: $56,962
• Brand manager: $102,552
• Chief information officer: $167,064
• Crisis communication specialist: $70,630
• Publicist: $50,309
• Media buyer and planner: $52,313
• Speechwriter: $85,717

Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org

Program Successes & Highlights

• Members of the Debate & Forensics team have consistently placed in regional and national tournaments.
• The UL PRSSA chapter has won more than $3,000 in grant money from the PRSA-Blue Ridge chapter.
• The official news source of the University of Lynchburg, The Critograph, welcomes student employees for its exclusively digital edition.
• The COMM Studies network is absurdly strong: we’ve received more than five internship/career opportunities from alumni in this semester alone because Hornets love to hire Hornets from our COMMunity.

What Are My Chances for Getting Accepted?

Any prospective student applying to the University of Lynchburg who meets the GAA criteria will automatically be accepted. Students who do not fall under the GAA agreement will still be accepted if their GPA is at least 2.0.

Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org

Do More With Your Degree!

• Good communication is key in any field. But what can you do with a communication studies degree? You could work in journalism or politics, do public relations or communications for a corporation or nonprofit, or use your digital skills for social advocacy. This means you could have a thrilling career in many different industries.
• When you choose a career in communication studies, you get to pick from a world of exciting jobs and earn good money. You could help change what people think as a public relations specialist, uncover breaking news stories as a journalist, or work to make the world a better place. Studying communications equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your chosen field — and anywhere.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

There are no additional requirements for this program. An internship is highly encouraged.