Public relations professionals specialize in maintaining a positive public image for their employers or clients. Through public relations degree programs, students gain the skills they need to help build and maintain a client or corporation’s brand.
Featured Schools with Public Relations Degree Programs
This involves writing and disseminating press releases, holding press conferences, issuing statements, and in some cases even selecting the wardrobe in which their clients will appear publicly.
As new media has emerged, public relations degree programs and communications degrees have expanded to include the ever-changing landscape of social media, as public relations professionals today must coordinate and manage Twitter feeds, Facebook accounts and other social media outlets.
Public relations specialists are no longer employed only by celebrities and large corporations; today, the thirst for information about anything and everything has created a huge demand for PR professionals, working with everyone from government and countries to non-profit organizations to athletic teams to universities and schools.
Types of Public Relations Degrees Available
Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are available in public relations. Often, these programs will be within journalism or communications departments, and may be concentrations within broader degrees.
It also is possible for public relations professionals to hold degrees from related fields as well, such as marketing or advertising.
As public relations specialists spend much of their careers interacting with the members of the media and press, many public relations specialists have backgrounds in journalism or other media.
Public relations degrees are the right fit for some, but many find that degrees in communications, marketing or journalism suit the position just as well, and provide more flexibility as well.
While there are associate degree programs aimed at public relations and communications, the competitive nature of the field means that those with bachelor’s degrees will have an easier time of landing positions with top firms.
Those wishing to pursue advanced positions within the field would do well to pursue a master’s degree.
It is possible for public relations professionals to hold degrees from related fields as well, such as marketing or advertising.
While there are associate degree programs aimed at public relations and communications, the competitive nature of the field means that those without bachelor’s degrees will struggle to find work with top firms. Those wishing to pursue advanced positions within the field would do well to pursue a master’s degree.
Public Relations Career Average Salary
- The median annual salary for public relations specialists is approximately $44,000.
What a Public Relations Degree Teaches You
A communications degree often can focus on advertising, marketing, and journalistic principles, while requiring certain core business and finance courses. Depending on the concentration of the program, students may also be exposed to coursework in political science, sociology, statistical analysis, creative writing and other related disciplines.
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Public Relations
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Questions to Ask About Public Relations Degree Programs
1. Do I enjoy applying my creative talents to challenging situations, and find creative solutions to problems working under set guidelines?
2. Do I excel at crafting creative messages around a central concept?
3. Can I stay on-message, and make my client look good no matter what happens?
Sources: bls.gov; marketingpower.com
