Public Relations Major
Our public relations program balances visual perceptions through art and the communicative perceptions to build relationships effectively. Public relations differs from marketing by focusing on the connections organizations make with those both inside and outside the business. By joining this major, you can expect to gain skills in creating digital art through graphic design and photography in addition to skills in creating effective messaging for an organization.
Program Details
Program Overview
You will learn to effectively execute strategies and tactics to reach multiple publics (customers, donors, community members, etc.), to deal with a public relations crisis, and to motivate publics to a business or nonprofit organization’s goals. You also will learn how organizations use social media to spread their message, capture dollars, and connect to their publics. You may combine these studies with a focus on visual communication through art and digital design (e.g., computer graphics, photography, time-based media and web design) to pursue a career in business or with a nonprofit; or develop skills in graphic design and visual communication (e.g., typography and page layout, digital photography, marketing and video production) to discover more professional opportunities.
Program Concentrations
This program is made up of the following concentrations. Learn more about concentrations.Concentration Overview
The Digital Arts concentration is for students who want a focus on visual communication through art and digital design (e.g., computer graphics, photography, time based media, and web design). Communicating ideas in the workplace, in the classroom, or online demands clarity, precision, efficiency, visual impact, and an awareness of diverse audiences.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentration Overview
The Graphic Design Concentration will develop your skills in graphic design and visual communication (e.g. typography and page layout, digital photography, marketing and video production). We prepare you for a visually complex world and across multiple platforms of creative design solutions.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentration Overview
Business to Business and Community Relations Concentration is perfect for those looking to have a career in business or with a non-profit organization. Students learn strategies, tactics, and skills for reaching multiple publics (customers, donors, community members, etc.), how to effectively deal with a public relations crisis, and ways to motivate publics to achieve the organization’s goals.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentration Overview
Students learn how organizations utilize social media to spread their message, capture dollars, and connect to their publics. Additionally, students learn the current research and analytic techniques used to inform social media campaigns. Our social media concentration builds the skills needed for a variety of employment opportunities in social media, a fast-growing field.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentrations on this page are required for this program. Additional courses or concentrations may need to be added to meet program or credit requirements.
Program Coursework
- Applied Statistics
- 2-D Digital Design
- Web and Time Based Media
- Bugs, Bitmaps and Banksy
- Digital Photography
- Digital Imaging
- Photographic Processes
- Graphic Design
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Typography and Image
- Graphic Communication
- Persuasive Communication
- Public Relations Strategies
- Public Relations Workshop
- Crisis Management
- Research and Analytics
- Social Media and Society
- Social Media Marketing
- Strategic Social Media
The specific degree requirements on the website are for illustrative purposes and may change at any time. Please contact the Registrar's Office, Academic Advising or refer to the course catalog for detailed program requirements.
Liberal Arts Core
LEADERSHIP: 4 credits
- Freshman Seminar (1 cr.)
- Spiritual & Ethical Literacy (3 cr.)
- Personal Branding Communication (3 cr.)
- Writing for the 21st Century (3 cr.)*
- Quantitative Problem Solving (3 cr.)*
- Language & Culture (3 cr.)
CORE LITERACIES: 15 credits – Choose one (1) course from each broad theme. Course options can be found in the course catalog or on the academic advising page. Broad themes are:
- Narratives of Identity (3 cr.)
- Science, Environment & Culture (3 cr.)
- Social Tensions (3 cr.)
- The American Experience (3 cr.)
- Approving the Better Things (3 cr.)
Professional Core
Culminating Experience
- Pre-Internship
- Internship
- Capstone
Cassie Ziegelbauer, ‘18
Arena Marketing Coordinator at Milwaukee Bucks, Inc
The faculty in the Communication department are the most supportive group of people. Throughout my college career I leaned on the faculty numerous times – how to navigate studying abroad, how to improve my public speaking skills, and just overall life lessons.
Laura Ellingen, '19
Public Relations & Marketing Major at Milwaukee Repertory Theater
One of the greatest things about the Communication department is that we had the opportunity to work closely with our professors in every class. That really allowed me to build strong relationships that helped me not only in my classroom experience, but also as I started on my professional career.
Experiential Learning
Our program offers the unique opportunity to have in depth knowledge and experience in both art and communication to provide strong skills that are attractive to employers.
You will gain practical experience through internships and through guest speakers in classes to prepare for their careers.
Internship sites may include:
- Campus Vote Project
- Cardinal Stritch University - University Communications, Undergraduate Admissions
- Catholic Charities
- Discovery World
- Elite Sports Club
- Leaders Initiative Program
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
- National Basketball Academy (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Spanish Journal Newspaper
- St. Thomas More High School
- Target
- Urban Ecology Center
- Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
- WISN-TV
8 Jobs in Public Relations
A bachelor's degree in public relations can meet the entry-level requirements for careers in advertising, marketing, and public relations.
Job opportunities can include the following:
- Public Relations Specialist
- Social Media Strategist
- Crisis Managers
- Market Research Analyst
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Event Planner
- Public Relations Manager
- Public Relations Director
Contact admissions or the program faculty with questions about this program.
Barb S. Spies
Director of Mission Integration
