{"id":27057,"date":"2021-03-20T09:49:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-20T13:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/?page_id=27057"},"modified":"2026-08-10T09:53:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T13:53:04","slug":"for-mass-communication-advertising-and-public-relations-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/for-current-students\/for-mass-communication-advertising-and-public-relations-students\/","title":{"rendered":"For Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

W<\/strong>elcome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the Department of Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations. On this webpage you’ll find our course waitlist, course waitlist policies, FAQs, and information on our course petition process and department minors. You’ll also find pages on Public Relations internships and graduate final degree requirements. As always, if you have any questions, please email mcadvpr@bu.edu<\/a> or call 617-353-3482.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our Vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A student-centric, forward-thinking education combining real-world practices and theoretical knowledge that prepares students to research, lead, and create positive change in a converging and constantly changing landscape. Contributes to the expansion and advancement of knowledge and scientific research and actively responds to evolving industry needs on a global scale.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Department Leadership<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Department Chair: <\/strong>Dr. Sung-Un Yang
Associate Department Chair:<\/strong> Professor Amy Shanler
Assistant Department Chair: <\/strong>Professor Laura Hannon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PR Section Head: <\/strong>Dr. Arunima Krishna
Media Science Section Head: <\/strong>Dr. Traci Hong
Advertising Section Head:<\/strong> Professor Shawn Zupp<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Senior Program Manager: <\/strong><\/strong>Laura Cafasso
Senior Program Coordinator: <\/strong><\/strong>Catie Owens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Department Policies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Waitlist<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Due to the high demand for our courses, the Department of Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations hosts and monitors a waitlist every semester to accommodate students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waitlist courses are restricted, so students cannot add themselves through MyBU Student. To be added to the waitlist, students must fill out the waitlist form. This is the only way to be added; emailed requests will not be accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vacancies are filled based on class level (seniority) and submission order. If offered a seat, students will have one business day to confirm. Once confirmed, the department will manually add the course. Students receive a confirmation email from the department once they are registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All waitlist inquiries and requests are handled during normal business hours; Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM EST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please keep the following in mind when inquiring about waitlist courses:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Any course not listed in the form does not have an active waitlist.<\/li>
  2. Please reference the “Class Search” function on MyBU Student for seat availability.<\/li>
  3. In the College of Communication, registration is completed at the department level. Please do not contact professors for enrollment preferences.<\/li>
  4. If you are trying to change sections of a waitlist course, that does not <\/strong>guarantee you a seat in the new section. You will still need to fill out a waitlist submission for changing sections. <\/li>
  5. Students must be compliant at the time of waitlist registration. If not, their submission will be skipped.<\/li>
  6. Students must meet the prerequisites for waitlist courses, like all classes. If students do not meet the prerequisites, their submission will be skipped.<\/li>
  7. Students cannot take prerequisites simultaneously with the course that requires them.<\/li>
  8. Please note that we double-check the information you submit to the waitlist. We ask that you answer it honestly. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Petitions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    There are three different types of petitions<\/a>: CAS focus, transfer credit, and study abroad. Any petition without a syllabus or without all student sections filled out is incomplete and will not be reviewed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Send your petitions to mcadvpr@bu.edu<\/a>. Petitions can take up to two weeks to process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Minor Declarations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Students must complete and pass COM CO201 to declare a minor within the department. The minor declaration is an online form available here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Department of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations offers the following minors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n