Public Relations Schools: List of U.S. Schools for Public Relations Degree Programs

Published Aug 11, 2009

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Public relations (PR) professionals act as liaisons between organizations and the groups they serve. Thanks to an increasingly competitive business world, job opportunities for public relations specialists were expected to grow 18% between 2006 and 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov. A college degree is widely considered the industry standard in PR; read on to learn about public relations degree programs offered by schools including the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and the University of Florida.

Associate of Arts Degree in Public Relations

Many associate degree programs in public relations (PR) focus on communications in general, with a PR specialization. Students explore dominant theories in PR, while applying practical knowledge through hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations

An internship is a common element of many public relations bachelor's degree programs, giving students the opportunity to gain professional experience in the PR field prior to graduation. Students also learn to write press releases, communicate with the public and plan events.

Master of Arts in Public Relations

In addition to communications-related subject areas like news writing and public speaking, many graduate-level PR programs offer specialized courses in corporate communications or business. Classes may cover marketing, advertising and other related disciplines.

Ph.D. in Public Relations

A doctorate in public relations is a research degree that allows students to gain advanced knowledge in communication theory and prepare for employment as professors or researchers. Though not especially common, Ph.D. programs in PR can also serve as continuing education opportunities for public relations executives and professionals.

Public and Private Non-Profit Schools with Public Relations Degree Programs

School Name Institution Type Enrollment Mailing Address Phone Number
University of Florida 4-year Public 51,725 Weimer Hall, P.O. Box 118400, Gainesville, FL 32611 (352) 392-0466
University of Texas at Austin 4-year Public 50,170 Department of Advertising, 1 University Station, Austin, TX 78712 (512) 475-7348
Texas A&M University 4-year Public 46,542 Department of Communication, MS 4234 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4234 (979) 845-5500
Michigan State University 4-year Public 46,045 309 Communication Arts and Sciences, East Lansing, MI 48824-1212 (517) 355-2314
University of North Texas 4-year Public 34,710 School of Journalism, 1155 Union Circle #311460, Denton, TX 76203-1460 (940) 565-2205
Temple University 4-year Public 34,696 Department of Strategic and Organizational Communication, 1801 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122 (215) 204-7450
University of Houston 4-year Public 34,663 101 Communications Bldg., Houston, TX 77204-3002 (713) 743-2873
University of Georgia 4-year Public 33,831 Journalism Building, 120 Hooper St., Athens, GA 30602-3018 (706) 542-1704
University of Southern California 4-year Private not-for-profit 33,408 Annenberg School for Communication, 3502 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0281 (213) 740-6180
Wayne State University 4-year Public 32,380 Department of Communication, 585 Manoogian Hall, Detroit, MI 48201 (313) 577-2943
Boston University 4-year Private not-for-profit 32,053 College of Communication, 640 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-3450
San Jose State University 4-year Public 31,906 School of Journalism and Mass Communications, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0026 (408) 924-3240
University of Tennessee 4-year Public 29,937 School of Advertising and Public Relations, 476 Communications Bldg., Knoxville, TN 37996-0343 (865) 974-1000
University of Cincinnati 4-year Public 29,319 McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, Communication, 120 McMicken, P.O. Box 210184, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0184 (513) 556-4440
University of Texas at San Antonio 4-year Public 28,533 Department of Communication, MB 2.312, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249-0643 (210) 458-5990
Texas Tech University 4-year Public 28,260 College of Mass Communication, Box 43082, Lubbock, TX 79409 (806) 742-3385
Texas State University-San Marcos 4-year Public 28,121 School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 601 University Dr., Old Main 102, San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245-2656
West Virginia University 4-year Public 28,113 School of Journalism, P.O. Box 6010, Morgantown, WV 26506-6010 (304) 293-3505
University of South Carolina-Columbia 4-year Public 27,272 School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Columbia, SC 29208 (803) 777-3244
Liberty University 4-year Private not-for-profit 27,068 School of Communications, 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, VA 24502 (434) 582-2111
Central Michigan University 4-year Public 26,611 College of Communication and Fine Arts, Moore Hall 129, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 (989) 774-1885
University of Alabama 4-year Public 25,544 College of Communication and Information Sciences, Box 870172, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172 (205) 348-5520
Long Beach City College 2-year Public 25,536 Department of English, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808 (562) 938-4282

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