Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Pathway Guide


Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.

Preparation for Transfer as a Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Major or as a Public Relations and Strategic Communication Major


The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as a Corporate Communication and Public Affairs or as a Public Relations and Strategic Communication major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed.  If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.

CC listings refer to SMU’s Common Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the Common Curriculum Transfer Guide  for a list of courses satisfying CC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.

Save all of your course syllabi!

B.A. in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs / B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication


SCHs = Semester Credit Hours

First Year

Fall TCCN SCHs
WRTR 10XX - First Year Writing I ENGL 1301 3
STAT 2331 - Introduction to Statistical Methods    MATH 1342 3
CC Breadth Course - Creativity and Aesthetics Choose One: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1316, ARTS 2316 , ARTS 2326, ARTS 2333, ARTS 2346, ARTS 2356, DRAM 1351, HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306 3
Second major, minor or elective course   3
World Language Course* 4
  SCHs 16
Spring TCCN SCHs
WRTR 10YY - First Year Writing II ENGL 1302 3
ECO 1311 - Principles of Microeconomics: Consumers, Firms, and Markets   ECON 2302 3
CC Breadth Course - Historical Contexts Choose One: ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2321, HIST 2322 3
CC Breadth Course - Social and Behavioral Sciences Choose One: ANTH 2351, GOVT 2305, GOVT 2371, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319, SOCI 1301 3
World Language Course* 4
  SCHs 16

Second Year

Fall TCCN SCHs
SPCH 10XX  SPCH 1315 3
CC Breadth Course - Literary Analysis and Interpretation Choose One: ENGL 2321, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2331, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333 3
CC Breadth Course - Exploring Science Choose One: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 1408, BIOL 1411, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, ENVR 1401, ENVR 1402, GEOL 1401, GEOL 1403, GEOL 1405, GEOL 1445, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 1403, PHYS 1405, PHYS 1404, PHYS 1407, PHYS 1415, PHYS 1417, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426 4
Second major, minor or elective courses 6
  SCHs 16
Spring TCCN SCHs
CC Breadth Course - Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry Choose One: PHIL 1301, PHIL 1304, PHIL 2303, PHIL 2306 3
CC Breadth Course - Technological Advances and Society Choose One: COSC 1301/1401, BCIS 1305, COSC 1309 3
Second major, minor or elective courses 9
  SCHs 15

Note


*The second language requirement may be satisfied by (1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, (2) placing out of four terms of a world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or (3) being literate in a native language other than English.

Start A Movement


Welcome to the Meadows School of the Arts! We’re excited you’re interested in transferring to SMU and majoring in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs , or in Public Relations and Strategic Communication . Established in 1969, the Meadows School is a nationally recognized arts education institution offering degrees in advertising, art, art history, arts entrepreneurship and arts management, corporate communication and public affairs, creative computation, dance, film and media arts, journalism, music, and theatre.

Meadows graduates are found in top performing, visual and communication arts positions around the globe, including managers and executives at The White House and Burson-Marsteller; reporters, executives and communicators at major television networks, Town & Country, Los Angeles Clippers, and Condé Nast; chair, National Endowment for the Arts; dance and theatre company founders and Oscar and Tony award winners; singers for the Met; musicians for major metropolitan symphonies; directors and curators of museums and galleries; artists whose work is shown in the U.S. and abroad; and more.

The Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs


The Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA)  prepares majors to be leaders in business, government and civil society, providing internship, consulting and applied research opportunities with world-class corporate, nonprofit and political organizations in Dallas, Washington, D.C., London and points beyond. We prepare majors for the leadership path to chief communication officer, executive director, founder, entrepreneur and more.

The Meadows Advantage


Reputation, Connections, Dallas Location, Top-Five Media Market, Home to 20+ Fortune 500 Companies

Members of the CCPA faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars with extensive academic and professional experience. They are published authors and remain active in their respective fields. CCPA students also benefit from the expertise of an advisory board of executives from the nation’s leading businesses, nonprofit organizations and political institutions, and will graduate with a portfolio of materials designed for actual clients.

Alumni


CCPA graduates are working and learning across the nation and the globe with:

  • Burson-Marsteller
  • Porter Novelli
  • Weber Shandwick
  • Paramount Studios
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Boston Ballet
  • The White House
  • Congress
  • The Hague
  • Southwest Airlines
  • American Heart Association
  • KPMG
  • George W. Bush Presidential Library  and Museum

Internships and Experiential Learning


CCPA is proud of the hands-on learning opportunities that allow students to apply and hone their communication skills. Internships in local and national corporations, nonprofit organizations and government institutions are a significant part of the curriculum. Internships in London are also available. Experiential opportunities include:

  • Hilltop on the Hill, a directed study of political communication held in Washington, D.C.
  • Student-run Mustang Consulting Agency
  • Competitive debate and speech
  • Public Relations Student Society of America
  • SMU-in-London, study abroad and internships

CCPA Majors


Two B.A.s are offered:

The B.A. in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs  offers three tracks:

  • Organizational Communication for majors interested in leading the effective operation and internal workings of organizations, including leadership, change management, teamwork, power/ gender issues, human and social capital, and organizational behavior.
  • Poltical Communication for majors interested in leading public policy initiatives for organizations, lobbying firms, think tanks, government agencies, NGOs, elected office, or political campaigns, including analysis, issues management, advocacy and public opinion monitoring.
  • Social Innovation and Nonprofit Engagement for majors interested in leading or founding nonprofit or hybrid corporations that combine social welfare, branding, donor/volunteer relations, fundraising/ philanthropy and strategic communication in a variety of mission contexts.

The B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication  is for majors interested in leading external corporate and public affairs initiatives with a variety of stakeholders, including investors, customers, communities, activists, and media, with an emphasis on engagement, business objectives and crisis response.

Things to Remember


  • Admission to the majors is rigorous and based on core requirement performance.
  • CCPA courses satisfying major requirements must be taken at SMU.  
  • Students seeking to double major or minor in another communication-related field may need to complete more than the minimum 122 total hours required for SMU graduation.
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better for coursework toward their major or minor CCPA degree requirements.

Admission Requirements for B.A. in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs


Major Entry Requirements: 3.0 GPA in the following classes:

Admission Requirements for B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication


Major Entry Requirements: 3.0 GPA in the following classes:

Minoring in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs


Undergraduate students planning to acheive a Minor in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs   must meet minimum GPA requirements, and meet the specific requirements for their area of study outlined above.

Preparing for a Smooth Transition


Transfer students who take time to prepare for their transition to Meadows are some of the most successful students. Following are a few important points to remember:

  • The second language requirement of the Common Curriculum  may be satisfied by 1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, 2) placing out of four terms of world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or 3) being literate in a native language other than English.
  • SMU accepts AP scores of 4 or 5.
  • Compare Course Descriptions  found in SMU’s University Catalog to course descriptions at your current institution to maximize your awarded transfer credits. 
  • For additional information on corporate communication majors, visit the department homepage.
  • For more information about transferring to SMU, click here or call 214-768-3417.

SMU Degree


A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 122 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU.

  • Courses in your major.
  • Courses required for the Common Curriculum (CC) .  
  • Elective courses.  These electives may be used to add a second major or minor.

The Common Curriculum (CC)


The Common Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components: 

  1. Foundations - 6 hours of Writing courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Reasoning courses, proficiency in a second language. 
  2. Breadth -  7 Breadth courses which may double count with majors and minors.
  3. Proficiencies and Experiences - 8 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through Breadth coursework or approved, noncredit activities.

NOTE: If you transfer with 23 or fewer credit hours and/or transfer in your first year out of high school, transfer work earned prior to high school graduation (dual/concurrent credit) will not satisfy CC requirements.

Apply Now!


Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.