About
Change the world through communication.
App State’s Public Relations (PR) degree program prepares you for a career in creating messages that are inclusive, sustainable and socially responsible — for both organizations and the public.
The PR curriculum provides a thorough introduction to the principles, necessary skills and contemporary practices of public relations. As a PR student, you’ll gain hands-on experience in writing, social media, design, and campaigns through the application of research, critical thinking and ethical practice.
Numerous opportunities exist at App State for you to showcase your new communication expertise, including internships, study abroad classes and course-related work for local and regional clients.
Additional opportunities are available through the Department of Communication's student-run communication agency, Second Story Media, as well as student-run media outlets—90.5WASU-FM, AppTV, The Appalachian newspaper and The Peel Literature and Arts Review — and App State’s chapter of the Public Relations Students Society of America.
More about App State’s Communication, Public Relations degree
After Graduation
Employment: App State’s PR graduates find work in almost every sector imaginable, including public relations and marketing; music, sports and news; health care and advocacy; technology and energies; retail and hospitality; and environmental, educational, government and cultural nonprofits.
Graduate schools: PR students have been accepted to graduate programs throughout the U.S. and abroad, studying at such institutions as the University of Cambridge, George Mason University, The Ohio State University, North Carolina State University and many more.
People
Related Programs
Minors
A minor is required for this degree.
Engagement Outside the Classroom
- AppTV offers a full range of original programming, produced by App State students.
- The Appalachian is App State's student newspaper. Participation on the newspaper’s staff is open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students.
- Second Story Media, App State’s student-run communication agency, partners with university and community nonprofit clients to provide communication services.
- 90.5 WASU-FM — known as “The App” — is dedicated to bringing the best alternative rock music to the High Country and is operated by App State students and volunteer DJs.
- Public Relations Student Society of America provides an opportunity for students to become involved in the professional association of their field. PRSSA offers leadership and networking opportunities such as the national PRSA-PRSSA conference, where students meet other public relations students and professionals from across the nation.
- Carolinas Communication Association sponsors the Jarrard undergraduate paper competition.
- Southern States Communication Association sponsors the Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference.
Global Learning
Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.
The Department of Communication has study abroad opportunities in China, England, Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland.
Admission Requirements
A cumulative 2.5 GPA based on earned semester hours at App State is required prior to declaring the Public Relations major.
Why Appalachian?
- The PR program provides a comprehensive, hands-on and inclusive curriculum that allows students to refine their respective degrees based on professional interest.
- PR students collaborate to create socially responsible campaigns in classes and for App State’s student-run media organizations. Small class sizes mean students develop lasting relationships with faculty — and with each other.
- PR courses take place in technology-enhanced lecture rooms, as well as computer and smart labs designed to foster teamwork and mirror the environments interns and graduates will experience in the profession. Additionally, students can gain interdisciplinary technological experience through journalism, advertising and electronic media/broadcast courses and through student-run media.
- PR students expand on what they learn in class by getting involved with App State’s award-winning, student-run media outlets and communication agency.
- Students have access to professional development and networking opportunities through App State’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, which emphasizes ethics and diversity in the profession.
- At App State, many PR students participate in internships. Host sites have included NASCAR, Disney, Charlotte Hornets, Crown Communications, Rockford Art Museum, Noble Media Management, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and many others.
- The PR program’s strong alumni network keeps alumni, faculty and students connected to the field of public relations.
Location
Boone and Hickory*
*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.
Careers
- Campaign Manager
- Communications Director
- Corporate Communications Specialist
- Creative Director
- Events Planner
- Fundraiser
- Grant Writer
- Human Resources Manager
- Labor Relations Manager
- Market Researcher
- Marketing Analyst
- Media Analyst
- Media Relations Coordinator
- Program Coordinator, Nonprofit
- Public Information Officer
- Public Relations Manager
View more career opportunities
Contacts
College of Fine and Applied Arts
Dr. Scott Welsh
Department Chair
welshsm@appstate.edu
828-262-2607