Public Relations
Program Details
Public relations professionals are storytellers who use their talents to enhance and build positive reputations for companies and individuals. They take on many roles, from writing press releases to organizing events and building out strategic communications plans.
As a student in the public relations major at Xavier, you’ll become a pro at communicating on behalf of companies while perfecting skills in event planning, relationship-building, strategic planning and writing. Courses in the public relations program are focused on real-world learning, so you’ll have opportunities to build your portfolio while earning credit and gaining experience.
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Public Relations major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- CORE 101 - Goa ............ 0cr.
- COMM 101 (OC Flag) or COMM 123 ............ 3cr.
- English Composition or Rhetoric ............ 3cr.
- Second Language Elective ............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 First-Year Seminar or THEO 111 Theological Foundations ............ 3cr.
- MATH 105 (Math at placement level) or MATH 116 (Math Perspectives) ............ 3cr.
Spring
- CORE 102 Goa ............ 0cr.
- COMM 101 (OC Flag) or COMM 123 ............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- Second Language Elective ............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 First-Year Seminar or THEO 111 Theological Foundations ............ 3cr.
- PHIL 100 Ethics as Introduction to Philosophy ............ 3cr.
Fall
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- PHIL 200 Philosophical Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- Social Impact Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Reasoning Flag ............ 3cr.
Spring
- COMM 206 (Writing Flag) ............ 3cr.
- ENGL 205 Literature & the Moral Imagination ............ 3cr.
- Theology Perspectives (THEO 200+) ............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- Natural Science elective ............ 3cr.
Fall
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- Diversity Flag (COMM 323, 324 or other) ............ 3cr.
- E/R & S Focus Flag (COMM 477) ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Spring
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Fall
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Spring
- Communication Arts Course ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Sample courses within the public relations major curriculum
- Audience Survey & Research (COMM 329) - This course explores the process of gathering, analyzing and utilizing audience-related data to craft impactful messages and campaigns. Topics include the principles of research design, sampling techniques, data collection methodologies and statistical analysis. Emphasis is placed on both quantitative and qualitative research methods commonly employed in communication, including broadcast ratings and syndicated research.
- Public Relations Writing (COMM 371) - This course offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced writing techniques essential for PR professionals. Focus areas include crafting compelling backgrounds, brochures, handbooks, as well as the development of polished annual and quarterly reports. Additionally, delve into the art of scriptwriting for broadcast, audiovisual and film mediums.
- PR Cases and Planning (COMM 372) - Learn the intricacies of crafting effective PR campaigns through the examination of contemporary case studies. Gain insight into both successful and challenging PR endeavors, equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the dynamic landscape of public relations.
- Strat Comm Ethics Society (COMM 477) - Explore the ethical and legal frameworks underpinning responsible strategic communication practices within American society. Participate in critical discussions surrounding moral principles and legal guidelines essential for navigating the dynamic landscape of modern communication strategies. Gain insights into ethical dilemmas and learn to make informed decisions that uphold integrity and societal values in the realm of strategic communications.
- Senior Seminar (COMM 479) - Conceive and execute an original public relations campaign for a real-world client. From conceptualization to implementation, you'll leverage your skills to produce deliverables tailored to meet the client's needs while showcasing your talents in your student portfolio.
Career Outcomes
99% of students from Xavier's undergraduate programs, including the public relations major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2022). Explore Xavier's Career Outcomes Dashboard to view career outcomes by major.
Career Opportunities: Communications Specialist, Content Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, Public Relations Manager, Social Media Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer, Internal Communications Specialist
Recent Student Job Placements (among all communications majors): Procter & Gamble, ESPN, Fifth Third Bank, NCAA, Macy's, Amazon, Four Entertainment Group, Total Quality Logistics, Mercy Health, ABC
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshop series on interviewing and resume writing techniques and maintaining an educational, vocational and employer information resource center. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for positions in business and industry.
Student Clubs
- The Advertising Club - The Advertising club, part of the nationally renowned American Advertising Federation (AAF), specializes in uniting creativity and advertising within the Xavier Community.
- Business Leaders for Tomorrow- Members explore business processes firsthand by networking with and learning from various business leaders in Cincinnati and beyond. Events from past years have included trips to Silicon Valley and Chicago, job shadowing days and guest lecturers.
- Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)- The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a national, student-managed organization offering public relations majors a campus program of speakers, skill-building activities and social events.
- Xavier Marketing Club- The Xavier Marketing Club is associated with the American Marketing Association. The club offers students the opportunity to gain a broader, realistic, more practically oriented exposure to marketing activities. The Marketing Club strives to improve each member's marketability in today's highly competitive job market.
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Gain PR Expertise in a Curriculum Focused on Real-World Learning
As a student in the public realtions major, you'll become a leader in digital communication practices, exploring digital culture, crafting personal websites, videos, blogs and GIFs. This hands-on experience culminates in a senior capstone where you'll craft an original campaigns for a real client.
Kickstart Your Public Relations Career in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio is home to many industries, including consumer goods, healthcare, finance and technology. Each of these sectors requires robust PR efforts to manage their public image. By studying PR in Cincinnati, you'll tap into a wealth of opportunities for internships, networking and hands-on experience.
Experience a Transformative Education
With a focus on social justice and ethical decision-making, you'll not only develop your communication skills but also learn to use public relations as a tool for positive change. Engage with a supportive community that encourages critical thinking, empathy and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Public Relations Major at Xavier University
Public relations is all about building and managing mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its publics. The PR program at Xavier emphasizes clear and concise writing, strategic planning and problem-solving and relationship management. Students graduate from Xavier ready to practice corporate, agency or nonprofit PR.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."