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Public Relations

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Erie, Pennsylvania
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  • Influence Your Future Career with a Public Relations Degree from Gannon University

    In an increasingly connected world, public relations professionals who have the knowledge and skills to influence, inform and create relationships with key audiences are in higher demand than ever before. Gannon’s public relations program offers you a flexible, diverse and rigorous curriculum that prepares you to secure your career and contribute to the way your workplace is viewed in meaningful ways.

    • Respond to the strong demand for professionals trained in social media in the public and private sector.
    • Learn from faculty that have had successful careers in the disciplines they teach.
    • Channel your creativity and communication skills into a challenging and rewarding career.

    Learn to Lead the Way in Public Relations

    • Build a portfolio of work that potential employers want to see beginning your first year, a great advantage when you look for your first job.  
    • Learn to develop an organization’s message across multiple channels to internal and external publics within the for-profit and not-for-profit and government sectors.  
    • Develop strategic planning, writing, organizational, digital media and interpersonal skills that will enable you to assist an organization in multiple promotional activities.
     

    Experience an Exceptional Learning Environment

    • Get valuable experience through internship placements that can be on-campus, local, national or international.  
    • The program’s location in the Center for Communication and the Arts puts access to the resources of all of the University’s communication, media and arts faculty and technology at your fingertips.  
    • Tailor your coursework for the type of marketing career you want to pursue.
    • Learn broadcasting and streaming in our award-winning radio station, WERG 90.5 FM.
     

    Inspire Your Academic Success

    Gain real-world knowledge through key public relations courses including:

    Principles of Public Relations: Study strategies and communication tools in relation to an organization’s efforts to communicate and position itself with its internal and external publics.

    Strategic Public Relations: Develop your public relations skills and apply the fundamentals of the industry with an identified client. 

    Integrated Marketing Campaign Development: Collaborate in teams as an in-class agency to compete and win the account of an actual local nonprofit organization with the guidance of a local advertising professional.

    Achieve Your Possibilities

    Our public relations program is designed for your success. Through curriculum flexibility and high-quality educational opportunities, you can: 

    • Assemble a toolkit of knowledge and skills to help you achieve career success in the fast-changing world of the integrated public relations.  
    • Prepare for an exciting career at a variety of client- and agency-side marketing, public relations and advertising organizations.  
    • Earn an annual median starting salary of $40,000 or mid-career salary of $79,400, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. The student will be able to thoroughly research and write an extended form analytical paper.
  2. The student will be able to research, write, and deliver a sustained-form business presentation using appropriate rhetorical strategies and technology.
  3. The student will demonstrate and understanding of and participation in the patterns of scholarly and productive discussion using both interpersonal and professional skills.
  4. The student will design, organize, rehearse, and perform dramatic/or non-dramatic script material.
  5. The student will be able to identify and participate in the pre-production, production and post- production processes of theatre and the digital media.
  6. The student will identify and critically describe the historical context of the media and/or the theatre
  7. The student will recognize the need for adaptability/resilience in the theatre and the electronic arts, and be able to collaborate with faculty, peers, and technology to produce quality theatrical and digital projects.
  8. The student will recognize the relationship between the work of the School of Communication and the Arts programs and the mission of Gannon University.
Chloe Forbes

Chloe Forbes School of Communication and Arts

“The faculty and staff in the School of Communication and the Arts have challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and develop my potential as a young creative mind.”

  • Receive hands-on learning through real-world courses, projects and valuable internship experiences that prepare you to become a professional in the field.
  • 13:1Enjoy a personalized experience inspired by Gannon’s faculty experts and a low student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1.
  • Apply for generous financial aid packages and scholarship awards.

Our Faculty Experts