A curriculum designed for public relations students in a persuasion class at Indiana State University provided them with the theory of persuasion and then gave them the opportunity to apply the theory by doing volunteer work for a community client. The course has four objectives: (1) to provide students with entrepeneurial experience and practical application of classroom theory and public relations tools, (2) to increase students' working knowledge of special events, (3) to give students the responsibility of designing and executing a job description contract with a client, and (4) to encourage students' personal autonomy and initiative through working on a management team where deadlines are inevitable. Although the most important factor in the final grade for the course is the team's accountability to the client in terms of measured results and accomplishment of objectives, other factors such as the team's portfolio and its members' professional attitude are also considered. Peer evaluation and the final exam also contribute to the grade. This program has been successful because it bridges the gap between theory in the classroom and practical application. However, more research is needed to reduce the distance between the classroom and the real world. (DF)