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.

Career Exploration website

People

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  Alum Profile: Logan DiFranco ’20

  “(My) internship has brought me more confidence in my abilities than I could have wished for. It was awesome to be able to attribute it to how well Appalachian has prepared me for my future.”

  – DiFranco, who holds bachelor’s degrees in communication, public relations and communication, journalism from App State, was selected for and completed a highly competitive internship at Spark Foundry advertising agency in Chicago.

• 

  Alumnus Profile: Patrick Sullivan '16

  Patrick Sullivan finds that his public relations concentration in communication plays a big role in his career path, regardless of his job title.

Related Programs

• Communication Studies (BS)
• Advertising (BS)
• Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)

Minors

A minor is required for this degree.

View all minors

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 2.0 GPA based on earned semester hours at App State is required prior to declaring the Public Relations major.