List of Colleges with Public Relations Majors

Public relations (PR) degree programs prepare students to interact with the public by training them to write and speak on behalf of businesses, non-profit organizations, government entities or individuals. Public relations is a competitive field, and candidates should seek programs that include classroom study, project work and internships.

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How to Select a College with a Public Relations Major

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations specialists organize political and fundraising campaigns, write press releases and arrange public programs to help promote businesses and other organizations. They develop relationships with their communities, customers and employees. While the BLS expected that growth rates for jobs in public relations would be much faster than the average from 2008-2018, it also projected that competition for entry-level positions would be high during that period (www.bls.gov). To gain an advantage in the career field, prospective students should be sure to pick a school with the latest training and a curriculum that matches their personal interests.

Prospective students may want to select a program that emphasizes practical skills. Some schools offer project-oriented classes that allow students to learn by putting skills into action in addition to learning in a lecture format. Students may also want to look for schools that have close relationships with local businesses that can offer internships or summer jobs.

Those who have an interest in a public relations specialization, such as digital media, might investigate schools with such focuses. Individuals may wish to look for colleges with student-run organizations where they can network with PR professionals. Schools that are affiliated with local chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) can help students make industry contacts. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) certifies some schools, but students can join the PRSSA even if their school is not certified by the PRSA (prssa.org).

Public Relations Major Overview

Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations

A bachelor's degree program for public relations covers topics such as project and account management, speechwriting, mass media law, consumer behavior, campaign development and team leadership. The curriculum takes approximately four years to complete and may result in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Public relations majors may wish to complete a minor in a related discipline, such as advertising or marketing. A high school diploma or the equivalent is necessary to enter these programs. Some schools may require students to apply for the major after completing at least their first year of college.

Largest Colleges with a Public Relations Major in the U.S. by Student Enrollment

College/University Student Population Type of Institution
The University of Texas at Austin 51,195 4-year, Public
University of Florida 49,827 4-year, Public
University of Houston 38,752 4-year, Public
Temple University 37,367 4-year, Public
University of Southern California 36,896 4-year, Public
University of Georgia 34,677 4-year, Public
The University of Texas at Arlington 32,975 4-year, Public
Texas State University-San Marcos 32,572 4-year, Public
Texas Tech University 31,637 4-year, Public
Wayne State University 31,505 4-year, Public
The University of Tennessee 30,300 4-year, Public
The University of Texas at San Antonio 30,258 4-year, Public
The University of Alabama 30,127 4-year, Public
San Jose State University 29,076 4-year, Public
Central Michigan University 28,292 4-year, Public
University of Kentucky 27,108 4-year, Public
University of Akron Main Campus 27,076 4-year, Public
Kent State University at Kent 26,589 4-year, Public
University of South Carolina-Columbia 25,599 4-year, Public
Northern Arizona University 25,197 4-year, Public
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics