Western Kentucky University

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations

Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) and certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Public Relations major emphasizes applied research, data and analytics, strategic campaign planning, targeted written communications, digital storytelling, and ethical practice. Public relations is a planned process to influence attitudes and behavior using strategic communications. We prepare students for a career in public relations/strategic communications with skills in critical thinking, writing, digital analytics, research, program planning and management, creative problem solving, and relationship building with key publics. Those publics include media, consumers, employees, government, opinion leaders, communities, and many more.

Virtually all segments of the public and private sectors throughout the world draw employees from public relations graduates. Our graduates work as communications tacticians, strategic planners, digital storytellers, and management counselors. They may specialize in employee relations, community relations, social media communications, crisis communications, public affairs, media relations, or several other disciplines within the professional arena.

Specific objectives of the Public Relations major:

• To promote a broad understanding and appreciation of the expanding and important role of public relations in modern society;
• To increase knowledge and develop skills required for positions in the public relations field;
• To instill high standards of ethical conduct;
• To build a foundation for lifelong learning and advanced education in public relations.