Key takeaways
- Public relations is primarily about building relationships between companies and the public, including stakeholders like customers, partners, and media.
- PR activities rely on earned media, while advertising relies on paid media.
- PR is critical in industries like corporate business, healthcare, and entertainment.
- Public relations degrees combine theory and practice, including core courses in media relations, crisis management, and digital strategies.
- Most PR undergrad degrees require an internship.
- Some of the key skills you may develop with a degree in PR include storytelling, crisis management, and social media.
- Core courses in a PR major may include public speaking, campaign management, and marketing integration.
- Specializations like corporate communications and social media are available.
- To choose the best colleges with PR majors, make sure you consider factors like college accreditations, coursework, and campus life.
- Careers in PR span industries like media, nonprofit, and government.
- Common job roles include PR assistant, media relations manager, and social media specialist.
Young or adult students are increasingly looking for college degrees that offer versatile career options and can help them build a broader skill set. This is one of the biggest reasons why a degree in a communications field like public relations is such a huge hit today. Moreover, businesses and organizations are now realizing the importance of specialists who know how to handle the relationships between the company and its various stakeholders.
All put together, it becomes clear that a public relations degree is one of the most in-demand qualifications today. It is a fruitful academic journey that offers excellent career opportunities. Moreover, so many amazing colleges in the US offer a public relations degree, with benefits like top-tier campus facilities and a memorable college life.
In addition to this, going to college for a PR bachelor’s degree is an exceptional way to become eligible for higher-paying jobs. A degree helps you build skills, get hands-on experience, and give you an edge in today’s competitive employment market.
So, without further delays, we will just right into the world of public relations degrees, colleges, career prospects, and so much more. Read on!
What is public relations or PR?
Any company or organization cannot succeed by working in isolation from its surrounding people, entities, and the general public. In this case, “public” may refer to vendors, suppliers, customers, and all types of stakeholders. Therefore, public relations or PR is a strategic form of communication that aims to build lasting and beneficial relationships between the company and the “public” in its respective environment.
In addition to this, a PR specialists job or career path typically includes responsibility and activities like managing relationships, branding, addressing crises, and so on. Some of the most important people a PR specialist may be managing the relationship with can include customers, partners, investors, media, and so on.
Furthermore, many people confuse PR with advertising as the same thing. However, the core difference between the two is the type of media being used for relationship management. So, while advertising uses paid media to create a buzz, PR relies on earned media such as press releases and social media hype.
Lastly, PR activities are critical in industries like corporate business, entertainment, politics, healthcare, and nonprofits. This is because it ensures organizations effectively communicate their goals, achievements, and values to their audience.
What does a public relations degree entail?
The activities and roles of PR sound interesting, right? So, consider a public relations degree just as interesting. An undergraduate OR bachelor’s degree is an important milestone you should achieve for building a powerful career in this field. The degree walks you through numerous aspects of the industry, through book-based as well as practical teaching methods.
Furthermore, during the degree, you will learn some core concepts and elements such as:
- Strategies to build relationships
- Understanding of public opinions
- Different approaches to crisis management as PR specialists
- Writing skills for press releases and more
- Industry-standard tools and practices
- Understanding how to interact with journalists and media outlets
In addition to this, most of bachelor’s degrees require the completion of the internship. Consequently, you will already have a couple of months’ worth of work experience up on your sleeve by the time you finish the degree. Most importantly, colleges with public relations majors support their students in landing good work opportunities.
Lastly, a public relations degree is ideal for individuals who enjoy writing, storytelling, social media, creative problem-solving, and working with people. It opens doors to careers in industries like media, entertainment, corporate business, politics, and nonprofit organizations.
How to get a degree in public relations?
There are many crucial steps in choosing the right college major, selecting the best school, and then enrolling after fulfilling all requirements. Therefore, you must explore the various requirements and steps involved in getting a degree in public relations:
Research and make an informed decision
There are three types of degrees available, which include:
An associate degree that spans a period of 2 years
A bachelor’s degree in public relations that typically spans over a period of 4 years
A master’s degree that typically spans over a range of 1 to 2 years
Make sure you have understood the difference and select the degree that best meets your current status. Moreover, you must also explore a range of colleges and institutes that offer a relevant degree. We discuss a variety of top public relations degree colleges that you can check out.
In addition to this, don’t forget to consider alternative degrees that can also lead you to successful careers with a public relations degree. In particular, alternative degrees may be in fields like a bachelor’s in sociology or a communications undergraduate degree.
Explore admission requirements
Here are some of the most important admission requirements you must meet:
- High school diploma with a minimum GPA
- Standardized test scores
- Application fee
- Documentation of extracurriculars
- Personal statements and essays
- Reference letters and recommendations
Prioritize core courses
To get a degree in public relations and make the most out of it, make sure you are prioritizing core courses. As a result, you will be able to enter electives and specialization areas with a mix of foundational and in-depth knowledge.
Pick a specialization
Make sure that you have carefully considered the specializations or areas of focus that a program has to offer. Go through the various areas and choose the one that best aligns with your professional goals.
Fulfill graduation requirements
Here are some graduation requirements that most colleges have, but may vary:
- Completion of an internship or work experience
- Creating a portfolio
- Completion of required credit hours, which are typically 120 hours
- Completion of capstone project
- Maintenance of minimum required GPA
Core courses in the PR degree
In addition to electives and areas of focus, there are definitely foundational or core courses that you must complete. So, you must explore these courses so you know what to expect. These include, but are not limited to:
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Specializations in a PR degree
Specializations or areas of focus vary from one program to another. These areas allow students to narrow down their focus on one specific field, allowing them to further explore and dive deep into the details.
However, there may be some common or typical specializations that may be offered by colleges. So, here is a curated list of specializations you can expect:
- Corporate communications
- Digital communications
- Government relations
- Political campaigns
- Social media
- Investor relations
What can a public relations degree do for you? — Skills and competencies
Just like any other degree or college major, getting a degree in PR will also have numerous learning outcomes that you are bound to achieve. These outcomes can be in the form of work experience or skills and competencies that can set the foundation for your professional journey.
So, exploring what you will learn and develop during the degree is an important part of college planning. Here is a list of skills and competencies you may develop, but there can be more depending on how much you take away from the college program:
Skills:
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Competencies:
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Explore colleges with public relations major
By now, you have learned a lot about what a public relations degree is, what are the skills you can get, and what kind of coursework you must expect. However, you are only getting started, as the most important consideration is still left; selecting the college with PR majors.
Therefore, to help you narrow down your options and find a curated list of the best colleges with a PR major, here is all the information you will need.
Before you dive into the list of colleges, make sure you consider the following factors when choosing a college for your public relations degree:
- College accreditations that validate the college and its program’s quality
- Faculty expertise and qualifications
- College campus location and student life
- Acceptance rate and criteria
- Cost of attendance and housing options
Now, let’s explore the top colleges with public relations major:
University of Florida
– Location: Gainesville, Florida
– Acceptance Rate: 24%
– Graduation Rate: 90%
The University of Florida offers the ideal degree for entry-level jobs and starting your PR career. Its BS in Public Relations prepares students for core functions like creating and drafting strategies. Moreover, the college has an incredible reputation and a high graduation rate. Additionally, with its BS in PR program, you can choose to specialize between corporate communications, and public interests communications.
Florida State University
– Location: Tallahassee, Florida
– Acceptance Rate: 33%
– Graduation Rate: 84%
Through its School of Communications, the Florida State University offers a bachelor’s degree in public relations. The program focuses on establishing and developing a broader range of skills and competencies in the students. Moreover, some of the most important skills students can develop with this degree are campaign management, research skills, and social media management.
University of Georgia
– Location: Athens, Georgia
– Acceptance Rate: 40%
– Graduation Rate: 87%
The most notable thing about the University of Georgia and its PR degree is that it integrates two fields together to create a balanced and broader learning journey for the students. So, its Advertising and Public Relations program focuses on consumer research, creative messaging, and branding strategies. Students learn to craft integrated campaigns that combine advertising tactics with PR elements like media relations and reputation management. Lastly, the college has a high graduation rate of over 87%.
The University of Alabama
– Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
– Acceptance Rate: 79%
– Graduation Rate: 72%
The University of Alabama offers a BA in Public Relations, ideal for those truly passionate about this field. Moreover, the program combines foundational and advanced coursework in PR and advertising, emphasizing skills like strategic communication, audience analysis, and campaign management. Students can focus on areas like digital communication, social media, and public relations writing. Furthermore, the college ensures that students get full access to industry-standard tools and technologies.
Texas Tech University
– Location: Lubbock, Texas
– Acceptance Rate: 68%
– Graduation Rate: 63%
The most important highlight of the Public relations degree at Texas Tech University is the availability of both on-campus and online options. So, you can choose the one that aligns with your needs. Moreover, the program is taught by highly qualified faculty members. With the degree, you may be eligible for various types of jobs such as social media manager and campaign manager.
Get an online public relations degree!
You can also explore numerous options for an online degree in public relations. These are highly convenient for students who want to work full-time and manage their education alongside. You can check out the following list of online colleges with a PR major:
- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
- Purdue University Global
- University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
- Liberty University
- Grand Canyon University
What do you do with a public relations degree? — Career paths and job prospects
The next stop is the career outlook for a PR degree. It’s important to assess and explore public relations degree jobs, as these help you with many things. Firstly, you will be able to see for yourself if the career prospects are what you want to pursue after completing the 4-year degree.
Secondly, the job outlook can reflect the current and future state of the industry. Thirdly, career prospects can help you decide which type of college, program, and specialization must you choose.
So, here is everything you need to know.
Industries with public relations jobs
Firstly, understand what kinds of industries and types of employers exist in the job market. This will allow you to evaluate your career choices better. So, here is a brief list of industries and employers that most frequently hire PR specialists:
- Corporate Sector: Technology, Retail, Consumer Goods, Automotive
- Media and Entertainment: Film, Television, Music, Publishing
- Nonprofit and Advocacy: Charities, NGOs, Human Rights Organizations
- Healthcare: Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies, Public Health Campaigns
- Government and Public Affairs: Government Agencies, Policy Think Tanks
- Sports and Recreation: Sports Teams, Athletic Brands, Fitness Organizations
- Education: Universities, Education Policy, Private Schools
- Fashion and Lifestyle: Fashion Houses, Beauty Brands, Interior Design
- Tourism and Hospitality: Hotels, Airlines, Travel Agencies
- Financial Services: Banks, Investment Firms, FinTech Companies
- Technology and Startups: Tech Giants, SaaS Companies, Startups
- Environmental Organizations: Sustainability Initiatives, Green NGOs
List of common PR job roles
Typically, as you graduate with a degree in public relations, you are likely to face many types of job roles and activities in the industry. Additionally, these roles typically involve activities like drafting press releases, coordinating media outreach, maintaining relationships with journalists, managing social media accounts, and assisting in event planning. Moreover, many of these positions offer a pathway into specialized PR roles as you gain experience.
So, here is a list of common job roles you may be eligible for with a public relations degree.
| Public Relations Assistant
PR Coordinator Communications Assistant Public Relations Intern Social Media Coordinator PR Trainee Media Relations Assistant Junior Account Executive (PR Agency) Public Relations Administrative Assistant Public Affairs Assistant Entertainment Publicist Marketing Communications Manager |
Public Relations Specialist
Media Relations Manager Social Media Manager Corporate Communications Specialist Crisis Communications Consultant Brand Strategist Content Creator Campaign Manager Speechwriter Community Relations Manager Event Planner Investor Relations Specialist |
Digital Marketing Assistant
Community Relations Assistant Event Coordination Assistant Marketing Communications Coordinator Junior Publicist Brand Communications Assistant Crisis Communications Trainee Investor Relations Assistant Corporate Communications Associate Social Media Content Specialist Press Office Assistant |
PR career paths
With time and experience, the job prospects and career paths also change. Here is a typical career path you may be able to follow or improvise with a degree in public relations:
Entry-Level Roles
- PR Assistant
- Junior Media Coordinator
- Social Media Associate
- Marketing Assistant
Mid-Level Roles
- PR Specialist
- Media Relations Manager
- Communications Manager
- Digital Content Strategist
Senior-Level Roles
- Director of Public Relations
- Head of Corporate Communications
- Vice President of Communications
- Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
Communications and PR degree — Exploring alternatives and degree combinations
Fortunately, today’s advanced academic landscape does not limit our options and alternatives. Therefore, if you don’t want to stop your search and continue exploration, make sure you look into the other degrees that can allow you to build a career in PR. here is a list of these alternatives:
- Journalism and communications: A journalism degree with a PR focus offers a strong foundation for media relations, writing, and content creation, which are key components in PR roles.
- Marketing with PR concentrations: Can equip students with the skills to manage branding, digital marketing, social media strategies, and consumer behavior.
- Sociology degree: Understanding social behaviors, group dynamics, and societal trends allows PR professionals to craft more effective campaigns, tailor messages to specific demographics, and build stronger relationships with diverse communities.
- Political science with PR concentration: Offers knowledge of public policy, governance, and electoral strategies, while PR focuses on communication, media relations, and crisis management.
Is a public relations degree worth it?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), public relations specialists’ employment is expected to grow by 9% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by businesses’ increasing need to manage their reputations, especially in digital and social media contexts.
Moreover, The median annual wage for public relations specialists was $62,800 in 2021 (BLS), with Management being the highest paying industry. Furthermore, A PR degree opens the door to a wide variety of job roles. With this degree, you can work in corporate, nonprofit, government, law enforcement, and so many more industries.
Overall, the career prospects and public relations degree jobs are not bad at all. In fact, they are much more interesting than straightforward degrees in fields like business administration, which are more general than specialized.
The public relations degree offers robust career opportunities and earning potential, especially for those who gain practical experience through internships and build a professional network during their studies.
However, it is best to research the job market in your specific region, the cost of your degree, and your career interests. Some people may find other communication-related fields or specialized PR certifications can also pave the way to success with a more tailored approach.
Therefore, lots of facts and figures tell us that a degree in PR is an excellent choice if you are passionate about it. In the end, the degree will give its truest value when you remain dedicated and focused.
Enroll in the ideal colleges for a public relations degree!
In conclusion, a public relations degree is not only worth pursuing for its diverse career prospects, but also for its role in shaping how organizations communicate with their audience. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance your career, the knowledge and experience gained from this degree will serve as a strong foundation for success.
Moreover, amazing colleges with PR majors readily offer excellent learning opportunities and outcomes. Therefore, the options are vast and never-ending. Don’t forget to seek credible help and guidance with All Bachelor Degrees AI solutions.