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Public Relations

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations Degree

Impact perceptions, confidence, and narratives through the University of Mount Union’s Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations degree program. Learn how to develop strategy and utilize creativity in a fast-paced, highly consequential, passion-driven industry.

 

Influence How the World Communicates

Accomplish meaningful targets in collaboration with real-world stakeholders and build out your professional network from your first days on campus! Mount Union’s degree in public relations program introduces you to key business competencies like accounting, global business, micro and macroeconomics, corporate finance, and management, along with deep-dive courses on writing campaigns, planning events, copywriting for internal and external outlets, and preparing public relations strategies. Throughout each class, gain mentorship insights from your professors and industry connections, and seize opportunities to develop your resume and professional portfolio.

 

Public Relations Major Quick Facts 

  • 56 credit hours toward the public relations degree
  • 32 credit hours for the influential Integrative Core
  • Travel to conferences, seminars, and Study Abroad destinations
  • Intern with local and regional agencies and nonprofit organizations
  • PRSSA membership to network with peers and industry professionals

 

Learn More About the Public Relations Major

Assert your potential to support individuals, organizations, and corporations. The Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations program at Mount Union empowers you to learn and experience the skills and idea generation sought by employers across the country. Request more information about the degree in public relations, or apply now to start your journey!

School of Business Department Faculty

  • Curriculum


    Public Relations Curriculum

    Become a front-runner among creative and strategic problem solvers in a highly competitive industry. The bachelor’s in public relations coursework and field experiences equip you to develop and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders, develop strategic and ethical communication programs, conduct audience segmentation, plan and implement crisis communication, design integrated marketing communications strategies, and measure program results using a variety of evaluation methods. Explore more learning opportunities in the undergraduate catalog.

     

    Featured Courses:

    • Strategical Public Relations
    • Public Relations Writing
    • Public Relations Cases
    • Public Relations Campaigns
    • Event Planning
    • Quantitative Methods for Business
    • Planning for Meaningful Work
    • Business Ethics
    • Marketing Principles

  • Experiential Learning


    Public Relations Experiential Learning

    Achieve excellence beyond the classroom through impactful learning contexts and student organizations. In service-learning projects, industry partnerships, and internships, strengthen your communication skills and gain valuable hands-on experience—both of which are critical to founding a successful career with your degree in public relations. 

    Service-learning is essential to developing and expanding your vision as a public relations major. These accessible opportunities to practice and prove your learning in real-world contexts help build your confidence, serve your community, and expand your resume. Recent projects have uplifted communications for:

    • National Banned Books Week
    • The Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center
    • Pegasus Farm
    • Akron-Canton-Youngstown Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America

    Internships

    Bridge academic and professional experiences through internships with local and regional organizations. These exceptional opportunities empower you to connect your knowledge with real-world practice, develop a professional network, establish robust work experience to put on your resume, and position yourself for success as you launch your career or start graduate school. Mount Union’s public relations majors have recently interned with:

    • Akron Beacon Journal
    • Aultman Hospital
    • Canton Repository
    • KDKA
    • MTV
    • Smithsonian Institute
    • Washington Week in Review
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Cleveland Indians
    • Cleveland television channels: 5, 8, 19/43 and FOX Sports NET OHIO
    • Country Music Television
    • House of Blues
    • WHBC-FM
    • Walt Disney World

    Activities and Organizations

    Join the student-led endeavors around Mount Union’s campus to broaden your professional contexts and act as agents of change in our community.

    Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
    Attend sessions with public relations industry professionals, tour public relations agencies, attend local conferences, network at professional luncheons, and collaborate on an annual event to benefit a community nonprofit organization. This chapter of the national PRSSA organization also grants you access to national scholarships, awards, internships, and public relations positions. 
    Raider Student Media
    Produce, disc jockey, write, research, and design campaigns for Mount Union’s radio station (WRMU 91.1 FM), YouTube channel (Studio M), and campus newspaper (The Dynamo).

    Explore Raider Student Media.

     

    Internships

    Internships provide valuable and practical experience for public relations major students, and they help to fill the gap between the academic and professional worlds. 

    Mount Union public relations degree students have interned with the following organizations:

    • Akron Beacon Journal
    • Aultman Hospital
    • Canton Repository
    • KDKA
    • MTV
    • Smithsonian Institute
    • Washington Week in Review
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Cleveland Indians
    • Cleveland television channels: 5, 8, 19/43 and FOX Sports NET OHIO
    • Country Music Television
    • House of Blues
    • WHBC-FM
    • Walt Disney World
  • Careers


    Public Relations Careers

    Drive toward success through the bachelor’s in public relations degree program at Mount Union, which empowers you to build meaningful relationships with organizational and industry contacts—a first step toward a fruitful public relations career. Companies and nonprofit organizations of all sizes and stripes turn to public relations professionals for matters of marketing, advancement, crisis communications, and more, meaning experts like you are in consistent demand. Your extensive practical experience at Mount Union positions you for success in advertising, event management, public affairs, sales, social media management, and marketing roles for private, nonprofit, and government organizations across the country.

    Alumni Employers

    • Aramark
    • COSI
    • Nationwide Insurance
    • Harvard University
    • George Washington University

    Alumni Graduate Schools

    • University of Georgia
    • University of Wisconsin
    • Youngstown State University
    • Northwestern University
    • Syracuse University
    • The Ohio State University
    • Kent State University
    • The University of Akron

    Common Careers

    • Social media consultant
    • Event planner
    • Public relations specialist
    • Lobbyist
    • Press secretary

     

    Recent Grad Schools

    • University of Georgia
    • University of Wisconsin
    • Youngstown State University
    • Northwestern University
    • Syracuse University
    • The Ohio State University
    • Kent State University
    • University of Akron

     

    Common Careers

    • Social media consultant
    • Event planner
    • Public relations specialist
    • Lobbyist
    • Press secretary

Student Spotlights

ashley burtscher headshot Ashley Burtscher '23 Public relations major Ashton sits smiling in the grass with her legs crossed Ashton Knappenberger '25 English, Public Relations, and Spanish triple major
ashley burtscher headshot
ashley burtscher headshot

Ashley Burtscher '23

Public relations major

I love being able to wake up in the morning for classes and know that I feel welcome and accepted.

See Spotlight

Ashton sits smiling in the grass with her legs crossed
Ashton sits smiling in the grass with her legs crossed

Ashton Knappenberger '25

English, Public Relations, and Spanish triple major

I love that we are encouraged to engage in intelligent conversation while also enjoying social aspects of campus life. You are guaranteed to be seen and heard as a Raider!

See Spotlight

ashley burtscher headshot
Ashton sits smiling in the grass with her legs crossed
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