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Public Relations Degree

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.

 

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School of Business

  • 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

     

    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

     

    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

Program Spotlights

andrea ferraro headshot Dr. Andrea Ferraro Associate Professor, Public Relations Courtney Pleasant '19 Senior Customer Content Specialist Ashton sits smiling in the grass with her legs crossed Ashton Knappenberger '25 English, Public Relations, and Spanish triple major Saydee Hodgson '25 Saydee Hodgson '25 Marketing and Public Relations double major Stephens '27 Kamil Stephens '27 Marketing and Public Relations major Basista '27 Julia Basista '27 Marketing and Public Relations major
andrea ferraro headshot
andrea ferraro headshot

Dr. Andrea Ferraro

Associate Professor, Public Relations

There are so many wonderful services/resources available to all Mount Union students that not only assist them with their studies, but also support their health and well-being throughout the collegiate experience.

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Courtney Pleasant '19

Senior Customer Content Specialist

My favorite thing about Mount Union is the three life long friends it gave me. My favorite memory is all four of us going to almost every Raider Programming Board (RPB) event during the week and off campus events.

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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!

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Saydee Hodgson '25
Saydee Hodgson '25

Saydee Hodgson '25

Marketing and Public Relations double major

I'd advise prospective students to not be afraid of doubting the decision they made because ultimately they will end up where they're supposed to be. Like me, who transferred from a D1 college to a D3 college.

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Stephens '27
Stephens '27

Kamil Stephens '27

Marketing and Public Relations major

Dr. Ferraro has had the biggest impact on my UMU experience so far. She introduced me to the PR major and my favorite club, PRSSA. She is a great mentor and cares deeply for each student.

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Basista '27
Basista '27

Julia Basista '27

Marketing and Public Relations major

I did an overnight stay with the swim team and immediately loved the energy the team had and how welcoming everyone I met was.

See Spotlight

andrea ferraro headshot
Ashton sits smiling in the grass with her legs crossed
Saydee Hodgson '25
Stephens '27
Basista '27
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