Public relations is a proactive, strategic function that strives to mesh the interests of an organization and its publics. Public relations professionals build and maintain those relationships that are essential to the organization's success or failure by applying research skills, visual thinking, strategic planning and effective writing.<br>Success requires a passion for learning about public relations. This program will lead students in developing skills necessary for creating persuasive messages and the means to expose those messages to the intended audience. This includes the ability to conduct research to measure program needs, develop program quantifiable objectives and focused strategies, implement state-of-the-art tactics and master the tools to measure a program's return on investment. Students of public relations will develop and hone critical and creative thinking skills.