The major prepares students for exciting career opportunities in strategic communications and marketing. Over the next decade, jobs in public relations are expected to grow at 8% faster than the national average.
Public relations jobs are never boring. From strategic planning, social media management, media relations, advertising and marketing, today’s PR professional must be prepared to handle a variety of tasks. Graduates can expect to make a median salary of $62,000 as a public relations specialist, and, if they continue on to management positions, a median salary of $118,000 annually.
Students have the opportunity to gain professional experience by working for the student-run PR agency, , as either a 1-credit hour class or as an extracurricular activity. PRush Creative provides pro bono PR services to a variety of local clients, including the City of Adrian’s First Friday event, the Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃDowntown Development Authority, and WVAC 107.9 FM.
Additionally, our public relations courses provide students with real-world experience through learning simulations. In the introductory public relations course, students complete a media relations simulation where they learn to pitch story ideas, and write press releases for a fictional company, and in the upper division campaign management course, students learn how to write copy and manage a social media campaign on Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter and receive a certificate of completion they can show employers.
Students are also encouraged to do internships to gain additional experience, and the department has numerous local contacts for internship opportunities. Additional professional development options are available through the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Students gain further specializations by completing cognate courses outside the major to further specialize in areas such as graphic design, journalistic writing, and marketing.
For a detailed list of required courses and course descriptions, download the latest academic catalog.
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The typical Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà student is anything but typical. They possess drive, ambition, initiative, spirit and a bit of moxie.
