Navigating the IPR Program

By: Marissa Bloomquist

As an incoming IPR major and Journalism minor, college can become very stressful. Starting my freshman year, I didn’t know much about IPR or navigating college life. During my time at CMU, I learned how to learn from each of my professors, their teaching style, and how I can benefit from their lectures. Here are my healthy tips for classes I’ve taken to be academically successful in CMU’s IPR Program.

 

IPR101

  • This is an 8-week beginner crash course in IPR to help you decide whether you want to sign your major as IPR. Throughout this course, you will learn effective tactics & strategies to communicate with your target audience. 

    • Listen to your instructor.

    • Ask questions

    • Manage your time effectively 

    • Get started on assignments early 

JRN102

  • This is your beginner journalism class if you choose to be a journalism minor like me! In this course, you will learn how to observe news outlets and the media that make their communication & networking effective. 

    • Be prepared for the news quizzes which means study!

    • Read news articles daily

    • Observe media professionals and their networking tactics on social media

    • Manage your time and conduct interviews early to complete your assignment on time

JRN202WI

  • This course is very important to begin your newswriting skills. In this course, you will learn how to write news articles using the AP Style Guide and the news story format. To succeed in this course, you must seek help from your instructor. Ask for feedback on all of your news stories to improve your writing throughout the course. Ask questions!

    • Ask for feedback

    • Ask questions 

    • Work with others throughout the class to conduct peer-reviewing 

    • Be prepared

    • Become familiar with the AP style guide 

JRN203QR

  • In this course, you will continue using your newswriting skills. Throughout this course, you will look at data and start applying that as one of your sources in investigative journalism. 

    • Ask questions 

    • Verify your sources

    • Double-check the data

    • Make sure your source is trustworthy and legit 

    • Conduct timely interviews 

MCA311WI

  • In this course, you will be practicing your script writing skills using AP style, specific formatting and minimizing your words. 

    • Be positive and kind. 

    • Manage your time

    • Attend the workshops and ask for help!

    • Double-check your work

    • Print out your documents on time 

    • Be prepared for class 

COM357

  • This is a public speaking class. Be prepared to speak in front of an audience and project your voice across the room. 

    • Be prepared

    • Have notecards on you always 

    • Prepare your speech with sources before class

    • Ask for feedback and work with others during group speeches

JRN350 or JRN353

  • This course introduces you to making an effective PR campaign. I took this course as an 8-week online course, so it took up much of my time. As an online student for this course:

    • Manage your time

    • Start your PR campaign, not at the last minute. (My presentation was over 60 slides that contained required details and footnotes)

    • Ask for feedback

    • Don’t forget about the discussion board and weekly quizzes

    • When making a discussion board post, make it detailed and lengthy to answer the prompt completely 

JRN302

  • This is an introduction to visual communication. You work with Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. 

    • I recommend becoming familiar with these programs before the class because there is a lot to remember.

    • Ask for feedback 

    • Continually work on your projects throughout the entire semester

    • Be prepared for the quizzes and tests

    • Play around with the program 

 

MCA101

  • This course is an introduction to history through film. In this class, you will observe how film was made throughout the past years and the changes that made film effective today. 

    • Take notes

    • Listen to the lecture

    • Study for the exams

    • Use details throughout your weekly analysis

MCA223

  • This course is an introduction to video production. In this course, you will get hands-on experience using video cameras, using Adobe Premiere Pro and using the Moore Hall television studio to conduct an effective aired show. 

    • Find a group and stick with them for the semester

    • Communicate and work effectively with your group

    • Play with the equipment to learn how to use it effectively

    • Always use your SD card and headphones for storage and audio when filming

    • Upload your videos to OneDrive to avoid losing your files

JRN360

  • This course is an introduction to advertising and observing what makes current ads effective. 

    • Be prepared

    • Observe current ads and decide if they are effective or appropriate

    • Ask questions 

    • Ask for feedback

    • Work effectively with your group

Posted on April 26, 2025 by CMU PRSSA.