Building Relationships Between Organizations & the Public
Closely related to journalism, marketing and advertising, public relations is a multi-faceted field that bridges the communication gap between organizations and the publics they serve. Students who choose to get a public relations degree at either the associate, bachelor's or graduate level will be prepared for a range of steadily growing careers. This guide outlines the field of public relations, including the education, skills, and experience a public relations degree can bring.
Top 10 Public Relations Degree Programs 4-Year colleges
#1 | Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, OK |
#2 | University of Mount Union Alliance, OH |
#3 | Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI |
#4 | Suffolk University Boston, MA |
#5 | Ashland University Ashland, OH |
#6 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ |
#7 | Marietta College Marietta, OH |
#8 | Barry University Miami, FL |
#9 | Union University Jackson, TN |
#10 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TN |
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Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Best Public Relations Programs: 2017
OUR METHODOLOGY +
Because the public relations sector of any business plays a crucial role in regulating the satisfaction of the company's customer base, there are a variety of schools throughout the country offering programs in public relations to fill this need. Students studying in one of these programs will develop skills in marketing, advertisement, and even elements of journalism in order to facilitate a company's success. By looking at a school's statistics including student success rates, student population, and cost of tuition, we've found the best schools available throughout the country. Check out our ranking for the 2017 school year below, and find the best public relations program for you.
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Oklahoma Baptist UniversityLocation
Shawnee, OK
Graduation Rate52%
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University of Mount UnionLocation
Alliance, OH
Graduation Rate65%
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Hawaii Pacific UniversityLocation
Honolulu, HI
Graduation Rate40%
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Suffolk UniversityLocation
Boston, MA
Graduation Rate56%
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Ashland UniversityLocation
Ashland, OH
Graduation Rate60%
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Northern Arizona UniversityLocation
Flagstaff, AZ
Graduation Rate49%
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Marietta CollegeLocation
Marietta, OH
Graduation Rate63%
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Barry UniversityLocation
Miami, FL
Graduation Rate41%
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Union UniversityLocation
Jackson, TN
Graduation Rate67%
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Lipscomb UniversityLocation
Nashville, TN
Graduation Rate56%
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Oral Roberts UniversityLocation
Tulsa, OK
Graduation Rate51%
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Point Park UniversityLocation
Pittsburgh, PA
Graduation Rate50%
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Pepperdine UniversityLocation
Malibu, CA
Graduation Rate81%
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Duquesne UniversityLocation
Pittsburgh, PA
Graduation Rate74%
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SUNY College at PlattsburghLocation
Plattsburgh, NY
Graduation Rate61%
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Marywood UniversityLocation
Scranton, PA
Graduation Rate68%
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Ithaca CollegeLocation
Ithaca, NY
Graduation Rate77%
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Taylor UniversityLocation
Upland, IN
Graduation Rate77%
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Ursuline CollegeLocation
Pepper Pike, OH
Graduation Rate52%
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Southern Adventist UniversityLocation
Collegedale, TN
Graduation Rate58%
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Bradley UniversityLocation
Peoria, IL
Graduation Rate78%
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University of Central MissouriLocation
Warrensburg, MO
Graduation Rate49%
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Coe CollegeLocation
Cedar Rapids, IA
Graduation Rate68%
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Butler UniversityLocation
Indianapolis, IN
Graduation Rate73%
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Webster UniversityLocation
Saint Louis, MO
Graduation Rate64%
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Howard Payne UniversityLocation
Brownwood, TX
Graduation Rate43%
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Quinnipiac UniversityLocation
Hamden, CT
Graduation Rate75%
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Ohio Northern UniversityLocation
Ada, OH
Graduation Rate67%
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Drury UniversityLocation
Springfield, MO
Graduation Rate48%
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Belmont UniversityLocation
Nashville, TN
Graduation Rate67%
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University of OregonLocation
Eugene, OR
Graduation Rate67%
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Xavier UniversityLocation
Cincinnati, OH
Graduation Rate78%
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Evangel UniversityLocation
Springfield, MO
Graduation Rate46%
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University of Central OklahomaLocation
Edmond, OK
Graduation Rate32%
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Augsburg CollegeLocation
Minneapolis, MN
Graduation Rate60%
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University of the OzarksLocation
Clarksville, AR
Graduation Rate48%
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West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeLocation
Buckhannon, WV
Graduation Rate58%
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Quincy UniversityLocation
Quincy, IL
Graduation Rate56%
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Ferris State UniversityLocation
Big Rapids, MI
Graduation Rate53%
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Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityLocation
Mount Vernon, OH
Graduation Rate54%
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Montana State University-BillingsLocation
Billings, MT
Graduation Rate33%
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Monmouth UniversityLocation
West Long Branch, NJ
Graduation Rate64%
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Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityLocation
Baltimore, MD
Graduation Rate48%
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Capital UniversityLocation
Columbus, OH
Graduation Rate59%
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Westminster CollegeLocation
Salt Lake City, UT
Graduation Rate78%
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Minnesota State University MoorheadLocation
Moorhead, MN
Graduation Rate46%
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Lake Erie CollegeLocation
Painesville, OH
Graduation Rate48%
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Campbellsville UniversityLocation
Campbellsville, KY
Graduation Rate44%
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University of Southern CaliforniaLocation
Los Angeles, CA
Graduation Rate90%
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Mississippi Valley State UniversityLocation
Itta Bena, MS
Graduation Rate22%
Top 10 PUBLIC RELATIONS DEGREE PROGRAMS 2-Year colleges
#1 | North Idaho College Coeur D'alene, ID |
#2 | Cape Cod Community College Barnstable, MA |
#3 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ |
#4 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ |
#5 | Harper College Palatine, IL |
#6 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CA |
#7 | Macomb Community College Warren, MI |
#8 | Monroe Community College Rochester, NY |
#9 | South Plains College Levelland, TX |
#10 | Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CA |
AccreditedSchools电竞赚钱决赛积分(电竞赚钱详情登录).org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Top 电竞赚钱决赛积分(电竞赚钱详情登录) Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
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North Idaho CollegeLocation
Coeur D'alene, ID
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Cape Cod Community CollegeLocation
Barnstable, MA
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Mesa Community CollegeLocation
Mesa, AZ
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Glendale Community CollegeLocation
Glendale, AZ
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Harper CollegeLocation
Palatine, IL
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Long Beach City CollegeLocation
Long Beach, CA
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Macomb Community CollegeLocation
Warren, MI
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Monroe Community CollegeLocation
Rochester, NY
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South Plains CollegeLocation
Levelland, TX
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Cosumnes River CollegeLocation
Sacramento, CA
Public Relations at a Glance
Students and professionals following the public relations path have to become masters of multiple specialties. Public relations is founded on strong communications, and combines elements of marketing, advertising, journalism and other media to build an organization's image, reach out to the public and ensure that a mutually beneficial relationship remains between the two.
Similarly, many public relations degree programs are generally feature a curated mix of courses from other specialties within a school's journalism and communications departments. Principles of advertising and design, media writing, business practices and sociology may all be addressed along with courses specific to public relations.
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People tend to think PR is taking something that's not good and making it
look a little better. That may have been the case in the past, but today we live in an age of transparency. If the goal is to build mutually beneficial long-term relationships between the organization and its stakeholders, if you do anything that undermines trust, you're going to hurt that relationship.
Matthew Cabot, San Jose State University
Related Degree Programs
If one aspect of public relations stands out more than the others, consider checking into one of these related degree programs.
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Communications
Like PR, communications degrees cover a range of different activities, skills and careers. Programs usually starting by honing the basics: speech, writing and social sciences. Advanced degrees allow students to take more direct paths within communications fields.
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English
English degrees can focus on literature, language study, writing or a combination of the three. Reading, analyzing and writing about various forms and works of literature are a large part of many English degree programs.
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Management
Prospective students who are interesting in taking on leadership roles in a variety of settings may be well-suited for management degree programs. Managers are needed in all fields, and management education can be applied in a variety of settings.
Public Relations Degree Options
All public relations degrees can help give students the skills needed to enter the PR field, but different degree levels will open students up to varying careers. While the field overview gained by an associate's degree in public relations can help students get their feet in the door with entry-level PR jobs, an established professional looking to change careers or take a higher position may be more suited for a master's degree program.
Public Relations Associate Degrees
Type of Schools: Community colleges, two-year colleges
Time to Complete: Two years
Career Opportunities: Entry-Level Press Relations, Marketing Assistant, Publicist, Political Campaign Worker
A public relations associate degree program may provide theoretical and practical study through a combination of courses that introduce students to the principles of public relations and practicum or internship courses where students can apply what they've learned in real-life settings. Students who earn an associate degree in public relations will be prepared for entry-level PR jobs, or they can continue their educations at the bachelor's level.
The courses offered in public relations associate degree programs can vary, but typically they provide students with an overview or introduction to various aspects of the field.
INTRODUCTION TO MASS MEDIA
An introduction to communication theory and practice, the history of mass media and an examination of the business side of mass media in the U.S. Advertising and public relations will also be introduced.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND THE MEDIA
An exploration of the diverse cultures and gender issues within the U.S. media, racial and gender roles that shape the media and media roles that influence U.S. race relations and racial change.
MEDIA WRITING
The introduction and practice of different styles of writing for print, broadcast and web media as well as advertising copy and public relations materials. Students will learn about legal implications of media writing and how to write for specific audiences, gather information and check for accuracy.
PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICUM
A practical, on-campus public relations experience. Students will have the opportunity to write media releases, produce promotional materials, plan events, write scripts and create presentations.
Public Relations Bachelor's Degrees
Type of Schools: Four-year universities
Time to Complete: Four years
Career Opportunities: Public Relations Specialist, Media Relations Specialist, Marketing Research Analyst
Public relations bachelor's degree programs tend to go more in-depth than associate degree programs. Students will have the opportunity to explore PR-related topics in more depth and may be exposed to specific components of PR, such as writing for different audiences, graphic design, broadcasting, management or business. Strong research skills are very helpful in bachelor-level PR programs, and students should be prepared to apply their classroom skills and knowledge to practical settings through group projects, internships or study abroad opportunities.
Bachelor's degree programs may have a greater range of topics than associate degree programs, giving students the opportunity to take more subject-specific courses related to
PR.PUBLIC RELATIONS ETHICS
A look at ethical concepts and issues on the societal and individual levels in relation to public relations and advertising. Personal and professional ethics based on traditional teaching, modern codes and other guidelines will be studied.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
Prepares students to meet the demand for PR and communication professionals who understand related business and economic principles. Traditional and emerging business models for PR agencies will be explored along with the business aspect of managing communications in corporate, government or nonprofit settings.
PUBLIC RELATIONS RESEARCH
An introduction to research techniques, paying particular attention to applications of strategic planning, opinion research, message evaluation and theory testing. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be addressed, along with data analysis.
WRITING FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS
An intensive hands-on writing course designed to provide students with an understanding of proper writing styles, keeping in mind different goals, situations and media. Writing mechanics, grammar, headlines, structure and the ability to express information clearly to an intended audience will all be honed.
Graduate Degrees in Public Relations: Master's & Doctorate
Type of Schools: Four-year universities
Time to Complete: Two or more years, depending on thesis requirements
Career Opportunities: Public Relations Director, Marketing Director, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, College Professor
Master's and doctoral degree programs in public relations tend to have much more hands-on work than undergraduate programs. Practical applications, examinations of case studies, and delving deeper into topics addressed in undergraduate courses may be the focus, giving graduate students the opportunity to build off of their previous education, which is typically required. There may be more student-led discussions in class rather than an instructor-led lectures in graduate courses as well. Students pursuing graduate degrees in public relations should see more opportunities for advanced careers in public relations and related fields.
At the graduate level, PR students have the option to take classes such as the following:
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT
Use theory and practice to create public relations campaigns and programs for clients in a variety of contexts. Methods include research, planning, implementation and evaluation of plans.
CONSUMER BEHAVIOR THEORIES
A look at behavioral sciences as they apply to consumer decision-making and the application of theories to develop consumer behavior research studies, advertising and public relations programs.
CRISIS COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT
An introduction to crisis communication and management from a strategic, theory-based approach. Relevant historical and business case studies will be examined.
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
A study of the history, theory and practice of public relations on a global level.
Must-Have Checklist for Public Relations Programs
Before diving in to a public relations degree program, students can ask themselves a few questions to make sure they choose one that is right for them.
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Does it meet your educational or career goals?
Students can take a look at program profiles and course listings to see whether their public relations program offers courses and goals that align with their own. It's also a good idea to check out the school's campus or talk with students already in the public relations program to get a good feel for it.
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Is it accredited?
Accreditation is an optional evaluation process that schools and programs can undergo to show that they adhere to specific quality standards. While there isn't an accrediting body specific to public relations programs, students should make sure their schools or programs are accredited by one of the U.S. Department of Education's regional accrediting bodies.
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Is financial aid available?
Students should find out if scholarships, grants or loans are offered by their school or program of choice. Keep in mind that federal financial aid is only available for programs accredited by bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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Does the program offer real-world experience?
Some public relations degree programs have internships, practicum or even study abroad programs that let students apply their skills in real-world situations. Students interested in these opportunities should make sure that they are offered by their PR program.
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Is it relevant?
Public relations is a rapidly evolving field, and students should make sure their degree program will prepare them for the future of public relations. Prospective students can look at course listings on their school's website and see if the descriptions include new ideas, innovations and forms of media.
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Is there opportunity for specialization?
Especially in bachelor's and master's degree programs, students may have the option to take classes suited toward specific PR-related interests. A public relations student who is drawn toward the writing aspects of PR should make sure the program has plenty of opportunities to explore and hone those skills. Another student may seek out a program that covers graphic design principles.
Opportunities for Graduates: PR Careers & Specializations
I think there's never been a better time to get into PR because the role of the public relations professional has expanded. Only 10 or 15 years ago, the role of the PR person was a little bit more limited in terms of gaining publicity and doing promotion work. Today, that role has expanded greatly, partly because of new media and social media.
Matthew Cabot, San Jose State University
Public Relations Specialists
Projected Job Growth (2014-2024): 6%
Annual Salary (2014): $55,680
Typical Education: Bachelor's degree
Public relations specialists help execute plans to develop and maintain an organization's positive image. They may use various media, from social networking to newspapers, to promote their organization and communicate the organization's image to the public. Public relations specialists can also tackle unfavorable situations an organization may face, draft speeches and press releases and use media to evaluate the public's opinion of the organization.
Public Relations & Fundraising Managers
Projected Job Growth (2014-2024): 7%
Annual Salary (2014): $101,510
Typical Education: Bachelor's degree
Public relations managers help organizations develop their identity. They plan, create and execute campaigns to express this identity to the public and maintain a positive public image. Public relations managers create press and media releases and supervise other PR staff to make sure campaigns are effective and well-executed.
Advertising, Promotions & Marketing Managers
Projected Job Growth (2014-2024): 9%
Annual Salary (2014): $123,450
Typical Education: Bachelor's degree
Closely related to public relations, these managers create campaigns to generate interest in products or services. They use print, radio, television and online media to promote their companies or products through advertisements.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014)
Essential Skills & Experience for the PR Professional
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Honesty
Public relations specialists are sometimes thought of as spin-doctors whose job is to put forth a positive image regardless of the situation. However, the modern world is a transparent one, and it's vital that public relations professionals are honest and can rightfully earn public trust.
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Writing Skills
Writing remains a key aspect of public relations careers. Whether it's drafting press releases or spreading the word in 140 characters, strong writing skills are a must for PR professionals.
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Social Awareness and Perceptiveness
Understanding the current social climate is essential in building relationships with the public and gauging its reaction to news, events and various PR efforts you may be working on. Being able to pick out ideas before they become trends can be extremely helpful in devising successful public relations campaigns.
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Creative Problem-solving
A large part of public relations is figuring out the best ways to create positive relationships between organizations and their publics. Strong problem solving skills can help PR professionals create effective relationship-building strategies and also come in handy when dealing with negative events that could hurt relationships.
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Sales or Marketing Experience
While it's not necessary for all public relations careers, prior experience in sales or marketing can be helpful. The communication, public engagement and image-building elements or marketing and sales all play heavily in PR, and experience with them can give PR professionals an edge.
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American Public Relations (APR) Credential
The APR credential is offered by the Public Relations Society of America to strategic PR professionals who show they adhere to certain standards of practice. Applicants must sit for a readiness review and pass an exam.