Public Relations (BA)

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations at Indiana State? 

Public relations professionals use effective strategies, tactics, and messaging to connect brands and organizations to audiences. With an emphasis on communication and journalism, Indiana State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations prepares students to coordinate these messages for campaigns and crisis management. 

Deliver Effective Messages 

Public relations majors at Indiana State University learn how to get the word out to audiences. They receive training on effective communication strategies and public relations campaigns. In this program, you will develop the skills to write, report, and communicate clear, carefully tailored messages that support brands and organizations. 

Our program emphasizes immersive projects and internships to help you gain practical skills and techniques for a public relations career. By the program’s conclusion, you will have a strong portfolio with which to demonstrate your skills across all aspects of communication. 

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

Indiana State’s instructors assist students in gaining professional development through internships and community engagement. Many have experience in all areas of public relations, including crisis communication, strategic communication, and social media management.  

With our small classes, you will receive one-on-one assistance and mentorship from professors who encourage you to participate in volunteer service, advocacy, multimedia productions, study-abroad programs, and other activities that align with your chosen profession. 

Get Expert Assistance in Our Learning Studios 

Prepare for your PR career with hands-on experience from day one. Use cutting-edge technology and tools in our state-of-the-art multimedia production studios, a podcast studio, and other instructional laboratory spaces. 

What You'll Learn in the Public Relations Program 

The BA in public relations at Indiana State teaches you how to create meaningful campaigns with carefully tailored messages for brands and organizations. You will complete a core of communication classes focusing on media and society, interpersonal communication, visual communication, persuasion theories, new media writing, and communication research. Applied public relations courses focus on public relations writing, public relations case studies, organizational communication, public campaigns, and social media management. 

You are also encouraged to expand your interests in public relations with classes geared toward your specific career aspirations. For example, you may take classes in health communication, small-group communication, cultural communication, political communication, sport communication, gender communication, media criticism, and other topics. The curriculum requires an internship where you gain additional public relations experience in a professional work environment.

Your public relations major will conclude with a senior capstone project. In this collaborative learning activity, you will reflect upon and integrate diverse theories, concepts, and public relations practices related to your career interests. 

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Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.

Career Possibilities for Public Relations Majors

Public relations graduates know how to craft messaging, develop campaigns, and manage crises. Our students are prepared for careers with corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. These include careers as marketing managers, advertising specialists, social media managers, public relations specialists, communication coordinators, spokespersons, public affairs specialists, copywriters, digital communications specialists, and more. Many of our students also pursue graduate study programs in business and communication.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average growth rates in communication occupations:

• Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers: 6%
• Public relations specialists: 6%
• Public relations and fundraising managers: 6% 
• Technical writers: 7% 
• Writers and authors: 4% 

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.