TYREE REED
Bachelor of Science
Integrated Studies
Public Relations
Special Event & Meeting Planning
INTEGRATED STUDIES:
Integrative Studies has been defined as learning that leads students to make connections, integrating the various facets of their overall education and connecting their academic learning with the world outside the academy. While interdisciplinary learning may be part of one’s academic plan, integrative learning requires students to adapt their learning to new contexts through reflection and engagement.
The BIS is a degree program that allows students of all ages to design a course of study that reflects the mission of Ferris while providing a pathway for students to meet their personal career goals. The 21st century workforce calls for individuals who have multiple talents who must be flexible and have the ability to contract their skills in a variety of contexts. The BIS asks students to focus on multiple capacities that they wish to develop and combine for individualized career paths. While each self-styled program is different, the orientation/capstone experiences and general education core provide commonality. Regardless of concentrations, minors, associates that are combined to create the individual’s program of study, the culminating experience requires students to demonstrate exceptional communication skills, presentation skills, as well as a self-assessment skills in order to market themselves in their chosen career path. In recognition of the changing demands of this new workforce and the need for life-long learning, students are additionally required to plan for ongoing professional development.
The BIS is the degree to meet the needs of today’s workforce and its emphasis on demonstration of skills and competencies is consistent with the University goal of becoming learner-centered. BIS graduates will not be trained for a particular job but rather will be developing themselves, learning in a variety of discipline areas in order to demonstrate their adaptability for multiple career opportunities and life-long learning.
PUBLIC RELATIONS:
Public relations is one of the fastest growing professions in the U.S., according to the Department of Labor and Fortune magazine, among others. Every organization benefits from reputation management, including corporations, nonprofits, and government. Positions may be at independent agencies or within corporations or government agencies, in virtually every market and industry.
Public relations professionals may educate the public about the value of an organization’s service or products, or they may focus on investor or government relations. PR is a great field for those who are passionate about a particular topic or a specific company. The program develops skills in creativity, strategic thinking, and excellent communications, including multiple traditional and digital media. The PR faculty have real-world experience, exceptional academic credentials, and Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). The student-run PR firm gives students hands-on experience with clients, event planning, and online brand management.
The Ferris PR program is the only one in the nation to offer public relations as a business degree, and it’s the only PR program in Michigan certified by the national Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Ferris grads have a competitive edge in the employment market, because they’re trained to read a balance sheet as well as to write a press release.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence.
SPECIAL EVENT AND MEETING PLANNING:
The Special Event and Meeting Planning minor is designed to provide students with a combination of hands-on skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the multi-billion dollar event management industry. Courses in this minor are designed to cover topics within the three most widely recognized event industry certification exams.
This minor requires a 400 hour internship, and offers specialization in the areas of meeting and event planning; special event management; budgets and finance; event protocol, fundraising standards and non-profit restrictions, site selection; contracts, vendors, negotiations; marketing and promotions; food & beverage management; and meeting technology. Throughout their studies in this minor, students will have the opportunity to earn theConvention Management and Service certificate, a nationally recognized certification through the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), as part of the required courses.
Event management leads to career opportunities such as: conference manager, wedding planner, special events coordinator, cruise event director, trade show/ exhibit director, and meeting planner for profit and nonprofit organizations. This minor can complement virtually any bachelor degree program.
CLUB MANAGEMENT:
The Club Management certificate provides students with background knowledge in the world of private and semi-private clubs such as yacht, city, athletic, tennis, and country clubs. Students learn about the unique nature of private clubs including things such as membership categories, board structure, dues, assessments, minimums, rules, and by-laws. Other topics such as event planning, facilities management, leisure activities, food & beverage operations, and financial management are covered as well. Throughout their studies students will have the opportunity to earn nationally recognized certifications, such as AHLEI Contemporary Club Management and TIPS, as part of their required courses.