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Public Relations Major

What is a Major in Public Relations?

Public relations professionals communicate their company's brand messages and foster relationships with the media and the public. They generate publicity through communications campaigns, write speeches and prepare press conferences, arrange interviews with reporters, act as spokespeople, and write news releases, feature stories, web pages, and social media content. They're concerned not only with what their organization wants to communicate, but also what target audiences need and want to know.

Why Study Public Relations at Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech's public relations program teaches through real-world experience. You'll have class projects that design public relations campaigns for real clients, find internships where you can manage PR communications and strategies, and learn from professors who've had successful careers as public relations practitioners. You complete a course of study certified by the Public Relations Society of America.

 
80%
Of Students Pass the Certificate in Principles of PR Exam

 
23:1
Student-Faculty Ratio

 
1 of 40
Programs in the Nation Offering PRSA Certification

Careers and Further Study

What Can You Do with a major in Public Relations?

Jobs Held by Our Graduates

  • PR strategist
  • Communication director
  • Marketing coordinator
  • Recruiter
  • Digital marketing specialist
  • Brand manager
  • Special events planner
  • Content specialist
  • Nonprofit founders

Beyond the Classroom

Experiential Learning

Certification 

We're one of only a few programs in the nation whose curriculum is certified by the Public Relations Society of America. That means your public relations courses will be great preparation for the public relations industry's entry-level certificate. All students take the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations exam. Earning this certificate will set you apart from the crowd of entry-level job applicants.  

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Experience 

As a public relations major, you'll perform work for real clients — writing press releases and public service announcements, creating media packets and campaigns, and doing social media and online work for businesses that partner with the School of Communication.

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Faculty 

Our faculty has a very good mix of experienced industry professionals and academic teaching and research scholars, meaning that, whether your interests are in a career as a public relations practitioner or going on to get a graduate degree, there's a mentor for you here.

Come With Us

Every year, the School of Communication sponsors a faculty-led study abroad experience at Virginia Tech's Center for International Scholarship in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. The program includes a one-credit course in Blacksburg during the spring semester and two weeks of study in Switzerland, with online course components during the first summer session after you return from the trip.

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Bachelor of Arts in Communication Degree

Public Relations Major Requirements

  • Principles of Public Relations
  • Writing and Editing for PR
  • Public Relations Case Studies
  • Public Relations Campaigns
  • Communication Law

Minor and Elective Hours

Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.


120 hrs
B.A. Communication

45 hrs
General Education

46 hrs
Major Requirements

29 hrs
Minor + Elective


 

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