The Communication: Marketing Public Relations (MPR) program at Alliant is designed to educate and train individuals to respond to the increasing need for professionals with expertise in integrating the fields of marketing and public relations.

With a focus on professional practice, graduates of this program are well equipped to help businesses meet their integrated communication goals, including how marketing and public relations interface with other key departments. The program offers students the unique opportunity to work with professionals and for real clients throughout their time in the program. In this program, students will access a learning environment rich in opportunities to build resumes and generate portfolios.

More specifically, students are mentored by and have access to the program’s board of advisors. Further, they have the opportunity to become student consultants as they work with real clients as account executives in the Alliant undergraduate student-run SWAT Communication Consulting Agency. Their experience in the program culminates in the Capstone course designed to give them the opportunity to apply all of their learning in the program to the conceptualization and design of a marketing and public relations campaign for a real client. After generating the proposal for their client and on the approval of faculty and the client, they go on to implement their proposal, in part or in its entirety, as an internship requirement.

Our graduates have exciting careers. With an impressive portfolio of field and agency experience generated throughout their time in the program, students have had job offers while in the program and upon graduating.

Lindsay Woods was in her second semester in the program when she applied for an internship in one of San Diego's top marketing agency. During the interview she presented her portfolio which they begin generating from their very first course in the program. The interviewers were so impressed with the quality that they offered her a position in the agency and hired someone else for the internship.

My experience at Alliant International University has been exceptional. As an adult changing careers and finding a place to finally finish my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Public Relations, I could not have asked for a more fulfilling education.

My classes were small and the group of international students I had the opportunity to work with was enlightening and enjoyable. The friendships I formed have led to the formation of our own company. In addition to class work, was the opportunity to apply what I learned in MPR through our own on-campus agency, Students Working As A Team (SWAT Consulting), and in my capstone project with AleSmith Brewing Company.

The intimacy of the campus and the one-on-one relationships I was able to enjoy with faculty members is amazing. I have continued on at Alliant and am a candidate for a Masters in Business Administration with a Marketing Concentration. Thanks to my undergraduate work at Alliant, I will be able to finish my graduate degree in one year with the 2 + 1 program in marketing.

With no impacted majors or classes, it was easy to complete all my course work in a short period of time. I feel very prepared to enter the competitive work force with a great education complemented by working opportunities and experience that I could not have had access to at a larger university.

Lindsay Woods, Class of 2008
BA, Communication: Marketing Public Relations

Alliant undergraduate student Mariana Escamilla completed her internship with Channel 10 News. They were also impressed with her portfolio and went on to hire her permanently. She attributed her ability to speak Spanish and the high quality of her portfolio for her success in landing both the internship and the job.

Students and graduates continue to cite the value of the portfolios they generated throughout the program in their success in job and internship interviewing.

Core Competencies
Upon graduation, MPR students will:
-understand the interdisciplinary theoretical foundation that underlies the practice of COM: MPR
-apply pertinent theories and principles in the conceptualization and design of COM:MPR programs and campaigns
-understand and be able to apply systemic and critical thinking skills to the analysis and design of COM:MPR programs and campaigns
-demonstrate a world view that reflects cultural appreciation and sensitivity and a sense of equity and social justice
-interpret and apply communication theories and principles in diverse organizational, workplace, cultural and leadership situations
-be competent in consulting with and leading clients through the COM:MPR planning process from conceptualization to implementation
-understand the impact of technology on communication
-demonstrate creativity and innovation in conceptualizing, designing and implementing campaigns
-design and implement pertinent written, spoken and visual strategies and tactics
-assess and evaluate the outcomes of an implemented campaign or program
-possess a positive, proactive and nonjudgmental attitude towards diverse cultural and international identities and in their interpersonal and professional interactions.
Demonstrate an ability to conceptualize and deliver culturally competent professional services in their respective areas to diverse populations.

Considering a graduate degree?

California School of Professional Psychology
Center for Forensic Studies
Shirley M. Hufstedler School of Education
Marshal Goldsmith School of Management