Q: What counts as PR field experience?
Your experience must involve working with a PR or communications professional on PR-related tasks.
Examples of qualifying work
- Content Development – Create or edit content for websites, social media, newsletters and press releases.
- Media Relations – Write press releases or media advisories; build relationships with media.
- Internal Communications – Support staff messaging, updates and internal campaigns.
- Brand Management – Uphold brand guidelines and collaborate on branded materials.
- Event & Outreach Support – Promote events, create materials and support on-site communications.
- Development Support – Assist with grant materials, partnership tracking and impact stories.
- Data & Insights – Generate reports, gather community-level data and interpret program data.
Additional qualifying experiences:
- PR research with MSU PR faculty
- PR executive board roles for MSU student or Greek organizations
Q: How do I track my hours?
PR Field Experience uses a three-step process:
- Submit the PR Field Experience Application
Provide supervisor info, duties, dates, estimated hours and a rationale for why the experience qualifies. - Track Your Hours
If pre-approved, you and your supervisor maintain records of hours worked. Submit Completion Reports
- Student Completion Report – Includes dates, hours and reflection.
- Supervisor Completion Report – Confirms dates, hours and provides performance feedback.
Forms and instructions: Visit the PR Field Experience webpage for all required forms.
Q: Can past experiences count?
Yes — if you were an enrolled MSU student at the time you completed the qualifying experience.
Q: Graduation requirement
PR majors must complete 250 hours of PR Field Experience.
Q: Do sales internships count?
No. Sales internships do not qualify.
Q: How do I find PR field experiences?
- New PR majors are added to the PR Field Experience Program Email Listserv.
- Additional resources and postings are available on the program webpage.
Q: What about PR minors?
PR minors are not required to complete PR Field Experience hours, though gaining experience is encouraged.