Public Relations Major in Pennsylvania
Explore the dynamic world of Public Relations at a Christian, faith-based institution designed for high school students eager to shape public perception. This program opens doors to careers in media, corporate communication and event planning. Build skills to impact and inspire with integrity.
100%
of first-year
students receive financial aid
students receive financial aid
98%
of the class of 2025 were
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
12:1
student to faculty ratio
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.
As a public relations major or minor at Messiah University, you'll be able to:
- Double major or minor with other programs in department or areas like the humanities, social sciences, sports management, marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the arts. You can also pair this major with the B.A. in business administration as a secondary or earn certificates in digital marketing or hospitality and tourism management. Within your primary field of study in public relations, learning critical business skills can open up additional opportunities for you after graduation.
- Join the Messiah University chapter of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America), allowing you to network with local and regional professionals, develop career and leadership skills and attend regional and national conferences.
- Participate in The Pulse, Messiah University's award-winning student media hub, which includes 90.7 PulseFM, an FCC-licensed FM radio station; the Swinging Bridge, the campus magazine; a podcasting studio; The Clarion yearbook; and The Pulse’s thriving social media pages.
- Hone on-air and technical skills through working with the crew of YBTV, the university’s weekly student-produced news and variety show broadcast
- Take a variety of courses to build skills and build your professional portfolio through social media, event planning, strategic public relations campaigns, crisis planning, communication design, videography and editing, and more. Several classes partner with on- and off-campus organizations to complete hands-on, real-world projects.
- Pursue on-campus work study positions to further hone your skills and add to your portfolio.
- Continue your education through a variety of graduate programs in public relations, strategic and digital communication, business, higher education, educational leadership and law.
Graduates of the public relations degree program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Public relations director
- Campaign manager
- Brand ambassador
- Account executive
- Event planner
- Marketing associate
- Social media strategist
- Crisis communication consultant
- Public affairs officer
- Corporate writer
- Digital experience curator
- Marketing coordinator
- Podcast host
- Publications editor
- Communications associate
- Community relations specialist
- Web content coordinator
- Event logistics coordinator
- Non-profit fundraising manager
- Admissions counselor
- Marketing analyst
- Artist manager
- Promotions coordinator
For more information on career planning for the public relations program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of public relations internships. A few examples of public relations internships include:
- WebFX
- HOPE International
- Harrisburg Senators
- Select Medical
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pavone
- JDK Group & Events
- Hershey
- Disney
- Fulton Financial Corporation
- Inside-Out Creative
- Pennsylvania Department of State
- CURE International
- Time Warner Cable
- Washington National Opera
- Tierney Communications
- Bravo Group
- Pennsylvania Senate
- JPL Creative Inc.
- Suasion Public Relations
- Northeastern PA Red Cross
- Element Six Creative Group
Programs related to Public Relations
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.
Where they work
- District Bliss/Pollyanna Events
- Flashtalking
- Pinnacle Health
- Heritage Hills Golf Resort
- Center for Nutrition/Activity
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center
- Edleman PR
- U.S. Marine Corp.
- National MS Society
- CURE International
- Harrisburg Regional Chamber
- U.S. Army
- Crosswalk.com
- Union University
- CCS International
- Crayola Factory
- Homewood Suites by Hilton
- Tierney Communications
- OneEleven Creative
- Rachel's Challenge
- Asbury
- Corning
- Inc.
- Everence Financial
- Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
- International Justice Mission
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Nashville Soccer Club
- North Group Consultants
- Shakespeare Theatre Company
- Sight & Sound Theatres
- The Broadway League
- The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion
- Walt Disney World
- Wharton School of Business Theological Seminary
- WebFX
- EA Games
What they do
- Public relations director
- Campaign manager
- Brand ambassador
- Account executive
- Event planner
- Marketing associate
- Social media strategist
- Crisis communication consultant
- Public affairs officer
- Corporate writer
- Digital experience curator
- Marketing coordinator
- Podcast host
- Publications editor
- Communications associate
- Community relations specialist
- Web content coordinator
- Event logistics coordinator
- Non-profit fundraising manager
- Admissions counselor
- Marketing analyst
- Artist manager
- Promotions coordinator
Graduate school
- Harvard Law School
- Temple University
- Kent State University
- University of Maryland
- Northwestern University
- Baylor University
- Penn State University
- Villanova University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- Purdue University
- North Carolina State University
- Shippensburg University
- Albany Law School
- Messiah University
98% of the Class of 2025 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
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.
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.
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.
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