Public RelationsB.A.

Study Public Relations at a Christian University

In our top-ranked Christian university’s public relations program, you’ll take a range of specialized communication courses designed to give you the theoretical and practical knowledge needed for a public relations career in the non-profit or corporate world. Most importantly, you'll learn how to help organizations communicate through ethical, strategic, two-way communication that values perspectives from both company leaders and the people they serve.

In the Public Relations program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.

Course options for Public Relations:

Public Relations (B.A.)

Public Relations Minor

Careers and outcomes

Where our grads work

Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.

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Our Alumni

Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.

Meet Alumni from the Department of Communication

Practicing public relations

In addition to expert classroom instruction in the public relations degree program, experiential opportunities abound in such areas as event planning, social media, campaign projects, off-campus internships (in-person and remote) and on-campus public relations activities. As a junior or senior, you will manage a public relations campaign for a nonprofit client from start to finish including research, planning, implementation and evaluation.

Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning

Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.

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Practicing ethical public relations from a faith perspective

At Messiah University, you’ll learn the practice of public relations from a faith-filled perspective, understanding that organizations – whether large or small, corporate or non-profit, secular or faith-based – must foster two-way, ethical, mutually beneficial relationships with their many publics. As a Christian public relations student, you’ll consider the importance of recognizing the imago dei in all publics, building on the biblical principle that every person is created in God’s image and is worthy of value and respect. You’ll take classes that equip you with a wide range of public relations skills (social media, event planning, research, crisis communication, design, writing, digital content creation, and more), preparing you for a variety of careers. Exciting internships, hands-on campus experiences, numerous networking events, a thriving PRSSA chapter, and countless leadership opportunities round out an exciting university experience.

Job outlook

Messiah University is one of the few colleges in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) to offer a public relations major. Careers in public relations are expected to significantly increase from 2024-2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.