Public Relations Degrees for Military and Veterans
What is a Public Relations Degree?
According to the Public Relations Society of America, public relations (PR) is “a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics…public relations is about influencing, engaging, and building a relationship with key stakeholders across a myriad of platforms to shape and frame the public perception of an organization.”With a Public Relations Degree, students learn how to communicate with the public effectively on behalf of a company or organization, and by doing so, manage the reputation of the entity they represent. They may take classes in media relations, consumer behavior, ethics, business management, public speaking, crisis management writing and marketing.
What can you do with a Public Relations Degree?
Most industries have large companies with public relations people—there are numerous career paths and lucrative jobs that you can take when holding this degree. Some industries that need PR people include:- Advertising and Marketing
- Entertainment
- Non-Profit
- Law
- Medicine
- Public Policy
- Education
Is a Public Relations Degree Hard?
PR is not as challenging as medicine or law, but that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult. A good university will have rigorous courses, and students will learn a wide range of communication skills. Creativity, writing, research are a big part of PR, as is staying on top of trends and emerging tech. Many programs offer hands-on experience via internships to help students develop good PR skills.Is a Public Relations Degree worth it?
If you’re seeking a job in Public Relations, a PR degree is indeed worth getting. But remember, students majoring in English, Journalism and Communications will often vie for the same jobs, and competition can be fierce.Luckily, jobs in this sector are growing by leaps and bounds. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations jobs will grow 6 percent by 2032. With about 28,000 job openings a year, having a targeted PR degree can put you a head above the rest.
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An Associate's Degree in Public Relations
An Associate Degree in Public Relations is an entry-level degree that teaches students to present information in a positive light on behalf of a company through coursework and internship opportunities.Jobs you can get with an Associate’s Degree in Public Relations include:
- Marketing Assistant- A person working as a marketing assistant supports teams in executing promotional campaigns and initiatives. Average annual salary is $47,435.
- Public Relations Assistant- Someone in this role assists higher-level public relations people with creating and executing communication strategies and maintaining positive relationships with the media and the public. Average annual salary: $54,284.
- Event Coordinator- An event coordinator plans and organizes all aspects of an event, acting as a liaison with vendors and clients, creating event timelines, managing budgets, and ensuring that all runs smoothly from beginning to end. Average annual salary $73,939.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations
A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations is the most common to achieve in this field of study. Students will typically learn writing, social media management, event planning, and strategic messaging, among other topics over a four year period. Most PR jobs require at least a Bachelor’s Degree.Jobs you can get with a Bachelors in Public Relations include:
- Media Relations Manager- Someone in this role builds and maintains relationships with media outlets on behalf of an organization by developing strategies, pitching stories, coordinating interviews and writing press releases. They also manage any crisis that may crop up. Average annual salary: $108,846.
- Corporate Communications Specialist- Someone working as a corporate communication specialist is responsible for all internal and external communication in a company. They, too, also manage crisis communication, and ensure consistent branding and messaging across all levels. Average annual salary: $119,200.
- Public Affairs Officer- A public affairs officer is a PR person in the private, government or non-profit sphere who manages issues of public policy. Average annual salary: $125, 376.
A Graduate Degree in Public Relations
Students working toward a Master's or Doctorate Degree in Public Relations will engage in programs with a more specific public relations focus and are eligible for higher level jobs.Jobs open to those with a graduate degree in Public Relations include:
- Crisis Communications Specialist- Manages and mitigates a company’s risks and reputation during a crisis or emergency. Average annual salary: $183,287.
- PR Manager or Director- Someone in this role typically oversees all aspects of a company’s PR department and its output. Average annual salary: $159,795.
- Public Relations Professor- A person in this role teaches courses in public relations, media relations and crisis communication at a college or university level. Average annual salary: $118, 711.
Select VA-Approved Colleges with Public Relations Degree Programs
Ready to start your Degree in Public Relations? Some partner schools have paid for promotional consideration.Lasell University - Lasell offers Master’s, and Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Relations. It has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for the CLEP exam. Lasell College is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Quinnipiac University - Quinnipiac University offers Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Relations. Quinnipiac University has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience and awards credit for the CLEP exam. Quinnipiac University is a Yellow Ribbon school, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and is a MyCAA approved school.
Florida State University - Florida State University offers Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Public Relations and has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for the CLEP exam and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Florida State University is a MyCAA approved school and a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Northwest Missouri State University - Offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations undergraduates. Northwest Missouri State University has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for the CLEP exam, and is approved for Tuition Assistance.
*Average annual salaries adapted and calculated from sources including Salary.com and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. For more information, click here.