Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a Concentration in Public Relations

Catalog Year 2026-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for COMMUNICATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Earn a transfer associate degree.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 for your associate degree. VCU will recognize the cumulative GPA as recorded on the VCCS transcript and not recalculate based on multiple course attempts.

• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at VCCS institution.

• Earn grades of “C” or higher in all community college courses. VCU will accept credit for repeated courses for "D" or "F" grades.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

• Admission Application: By March 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/.

• Financial Aid: https://semss.vcu.edu/our-services/financial-resources-and-guidance/.

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Priority deadline is February 1 for fall semester at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

• Transfer maps: https://majormaps.vcu.edu/transfer.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Complete your English courses and any math prerequisites in your first year.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, watch prerequisites. See www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with advisor at community college and VCU Transfer Center in first semester.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Robertson School of Media and Culture prepares effective and skilled communicators through quality instruction, advising and student services based on real-world applications. Through research, professional service and scholarship in applied communications, school advances knowledge and practice of multidisciplinary and evolving media environment. School values truth, ethics, creativity, innovation, collaboration, cultural diversity, shared governance and community engagement. Public Relations is broad field spanning all industries and businesses. PR graduates represent professional sports teams, global clothing manufacturers, Hollywood production studios, energy companies, hospitals, international non-profits and small businesses. PR people are professional communicators; all organizations must communicate with variety of audiences to succeed. Students need to be great writers and communicators, with sound knowledge in statistics, social media, and Adobe Creative Suite.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Completion results in all lower-division general education requirements met.

• Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Results in 60 credits applied and VCU general education satisfied. High school students apply as freshman for orientation purposes.

• Credit for Prior Learning: VCU accepts AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP, DANTES, military credits.

• Catalog Year: VCU honors degree requirements from Undergraduate Bulletin at time of first post-high-school enrollment. Students stay enrolled at community college max 4 years, enroll at VCU within 1 year of completing associate.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located in downtown Richmond, within 2 hours of beach, mountains, Washington DC. VCU provides top-ranked programs, research opportunities, urban setting.

• VCU is large public research institution dedicated to student and Richmond community success.

• Diversity, inclusion, equity are core values.

• Learn more at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• Completing associate transfer degree satisfies lower division general education, increases likelihood of completing bachelor’s degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits could exhaust financial aid?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

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

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• If applying through general application instead of GAA, considered with all transfer applicants.

• Learn more at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• All students complete at least one VCU REAL experiential learning activity. Examples: internships, research, service learning.

• Learn more at https://real.vcu.edu/.