Public Relations, BA, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 120 | Estimated Time to Completion: 3-4 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $480.65 | Start Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer | Credit for Prior Learning
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Arts / major
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- College
- Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS)
- School/Department
- School of Communication
Program Contact
- Julia A. Spiker, Ph.D.
-
Professor
330-972-7198
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Relations that prepares students to build relationships, shape messages, and help organizations communicate effectively with their audiences. Through a blend of communication theory and real-world application, students develop skills in writing, research, public speaking, strategic planning, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making while gaining a strong foundation in public relations strategy and practice.
Hands-on learning experiences help students build professional portfolios while gaining practical experience in public relations, digital communication, and social media. Graduates are prepared for careers in public relations, marketing, journalism, politics, public affairs, crisis communication, and related fields, as well as graduate study and law school.
Designed for working adults, the program features asynchronous coursework that lets you learn at your convenience. Full-time students typically complete the degree in four years, with opportunities to apply qualifying transfer, examination, and prior learning credits toward degree requirements.
What You'll Learn
Develop the communication, strategy, and relationship-building skills organizations need to engage audiences and achieve their goals.
Skills Gained
Public relations writing
Strategic communication
Media relations
Research and planning
Public speaking
Social media communication
Content development
Critical thinking
Ethical decision-making
Campaign management
Core Practice
Create communication strategies
Develop public relations campaigns
Conduct audience research
Write for professional audiences
Manage stakeholder communication
Build media relationships
Evaluate communication effectiveness
Key Topics
Public relations principles
Communication theory
Communication research
Strategic campaigns
Digital communication
Social media strategy
Event planning
Media law and ethics
Political communication
Career Outcomes
Public relations is an ever-growing and ever-changing profession. As organizations continue to adopt new communication technologies and digital platforms, demand remains strong for professionals who can build relationships, shape messaging, and engage audiences across channels.
Job Titles
Public relations specialist
Communications coordinator
Social media manager
Media relations specialist
Public affairs coordinator
Community relations specialist
Content strategist
Event coordinator
Corporate communications specialist
Communications manager
Where You’ll Work
Public relations agencies
Corporations
Nonprofit organizations
Government agencies
Healthcare organizations
Educational institutions
Media organizations
Political organizations
Sports and entertainment organizations
Additional Program Information
Public Relations Curriculum
Build a strong foundation in public relations while exploring communication topics that align with your interests and career goals.
General Education Foundation
Gain broad knowledge through coursework in writing, public speaking, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and global perspectives. These courses strengthen communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that support success in public relations and beyond.
→ View general education requirements
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements
Complete either a foreign language sequence through the intermediate level or an approved certificate program outside of the School of Communication. This requirement broadens your perspective while helping you develop additional skills that complement your communication studies.
→ View College of Arts & Sciences requirements
Communication and Public Relations Core
Develop a foundation in communication research, theory, public relations strategy, writing, content creation, and campaign planning. Core coursework prepares students to create messages, conduct research, manage communication initiatives, and build relationships on behalf of organizations and clients.
→ View communication and public relations core requirements
Communication and Public Relations Electives
Customize your degree through coursework in social media, digital content creation, event planning, political communication, media law, organizational communication, podcasting, and related communication topics. Students may also use courses from the Professional Social Media Certificate to fulfill elective requirements while gaining specialized digital communication skills.
Minor Requirement and Degree Pathways
All students complete a minor, second major, or previously earned associate degree as part of their bachelor's degree requirements. Eligible students who enter with qualifying Advanced Placement (AP), College Credit Plus (CCP), examination, or placement credits may be able to complete degree requirements on an expedited timeline in consultation with an academic advisor.
Experiential Learning
Build a Professional Portfolio
Gain hands-on experience working with real clients while building a portfolio that showcases your communication skills to future employers.
Rankings
Recognized Among Top Online Universities
UAkron Online has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s top online universities, reflecting a strong commitment to quality and student success.
Professional Development
Specialized Social Media Training
Enhance your public relations education with Professional Social Media Certificate courses that help you develop in-demand digital communication skills.
Admissions Information
Review admission requirements and application information for the online public relations degree program.
Admission to the BA in Public Relations requires meeting The University of Akron's general undergraduate admissions requirements.
Applicants should:
- Meet undergraduate admission standards
- Submit official transcripts from previous schools attended
- Demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework
Additional considerations:
- Transfer students may be eligible to apply previously earned credits
- Credit for prior learning may be available for eligible students
→ View undergraduate admissions requirements
→ Additional admissions information
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of [PLACEHOLDER]
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View tuition and fees for undergraduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support options, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans
- Scholarships
- Employer tuition assistance programs
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships
Public relations students may be eligible for scholarships offered through The University of Akron, the School of Communication, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and the Akron Press Club.
→ View undergraduate scholarships
→ View School of Communication scholarships
→ View Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) scholarships
→ View Akron Press Club scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
Admission to the BA in Public Relations requires meeting The University of Akron's general undergraduate admissions requirements.
Applicants should:
- Meet undergraduate admission standards
- Submit official transcripts from previous schools attended
- Demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework
Additional considerations:
- Transfer students may be eligible to apply previously earned credits
- Credit for prior learning may be available for eligible students
→ View undergraduate admissions requirements
→ Additional admissions information
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of [PLACEHOLDER]
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View tuition and fees for undergraduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support options, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans
- Scholarships
- Employer tuition assistance programs
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships
Public relations students may be eligible for scholarships offered through The University of Akron, the School of Communication, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and the Akron Press Club.
→ View undergraduate scholarships
→ View School of Communication scholarships
→ View Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) scholarships
→ View Akron Press Club scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
Online Public Relations Faculty
Learn from the same experienced faculty who teach public relations courses on campus, bringing industry expertise into the online classroom.
Online Public Relations Degree FAQs
A public relations degree prepares graduates to help organizations communicate with their audiences, manage reputation, and build meaningful relationships with stakeholders. Career opportunities exist in corporate communications, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare systems, educational institutions, media companies, political organizations, and public relations firms. Graduates may work in media relations, social media management, event planning, public affairs, internal communications, and strategic communication roles. The skills developed in the program are also valuable in marketing, journalism, and related fields.
Public relations focuses on building and maintaining relationships between organizations and their audiences through communication, reputation management, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. Marketing primarily focuses on promoting products and services to attract customers and drive revenue. While the two fields often work together, public relations emphasizes trust, credibility, and long-term relationship building. Many organizations employ professionals from both disciplines as part of a broader communication strategy.
The cost of a public relations degree depends on factors such as residency status, transfer credits, financial aid eligibility, and enrollment intensity. The University of Akron charges tuition per credit hour (PLACEHOLDER), and many students qualify for financial aid, scholarships, grants, or other forms of assistance. Prospective students can review tuition information and estimate educational expenses through our cost of attendance resources. Financial aid advisors are available to help students understand their options.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations specialists earn a median annual salary of approximately $70,000, while public relations managers earn approximately $133,000. Salary potential varies based on experience, industry, location, and job responsibilities. Professionals who advance into leadership, corporate communications, public affairs, or strategic communication roles may earn significantly higher salaries. A bachelor's degree in public relations can provide the foundation for long-term career growth and advancement.
Successful public relations professionals combine strong communication skills with strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. They often write content, manage campaigns, build media relationships, conduct research, and communicate with diverse audiences. Public relations professionals must also be adaptable as communication technologies and audience expectations continue to evolve. The degree helps students develop these skills through coursework, applied projects, and real-world experiences.
Earn Your Bachelor’s in Public Relations Online
Turn your creativity, communication skills, and ideas into meaningful career opportunities in public relations and beyond.