Public Relations - B.S. Download to print

Public Relations majors study the strategic management of communication and the relationships between organizations and their key publics. Students develop skills in written, digital, verbal and visual communications, as well as research and strategic thinking. The public relations program offers numerous hands-on learning opportunities. The upper division PR skills courses require students to develop plans, strategies and tactics that would be produced in the public relations field. Often, projects relate to actual client communication challenges. In PR Campaigns, students complete research and create a public relations plan for a real client. Public relations majors also are required to complete 150 hours of an internship.

Students have the opportunity to apply for positions at two student-run agencies and to get involved in the award-winning Kent State Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Other opportunities for practical experience include news, production, management, sales, performance and promotional positions on the campus newspaper, the Daily Kent Stater, and its online edition; the campus television station, TV-2; the campus radio station, Black Squirrel Radio; and the campus magazine, the Burr, and its online edition.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or CCI's Coordinator of International Study Programs.

Graduates typically secure positions in public relations firms or public relations departments at corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

From 2008-2018, public relations is expected to “grow 24 percent, much faster than the average of all occupations,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A highly competitive and global business environment and shifts in economic conditions have created a greater demand for communications professionals. The growth of social media has created new opportunities for public relations professionals.

Public relations professionals are involved in different areas of practice including research counseling, crisis communications, internal communications, event planning, media relations, public affairs and social media.

General Admissions for Freshman Students: 
Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

Current Kent State students must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.000 to be admitted directly into any major within the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Students must maintain a 2.700 major GPA and a 2.000 cumulative GPA in order to continue taking JMC courses. Failure to do so will result in not being permitted to enroll in JMC courses. In addition, no grade lower than a C- (1.700) in a JMC course will be counted toward graduation or as a prerequisite for a subsequent class.

Minimum 124 credit hours and a minimum 2.700 major GPA and 2.000 cumulative GPA are required for graduation. Minimum 72 credit hours taken outside the discipline, see requirements for acceptable courses. Only general elective courses may be taken as pass/fail, of which maximum 12 credit hours may be taken as pass/fail. 

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
Stauffer-Flint Hall
1435 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045-7575
785-864-3973