Public Relations

The Drake Public Relations major is one of only 45 programs worldwide honored with the prestigious Certification in Education for Public Relations.

With Drake’s Public Relations degree, you will learn research, planning, and communication skills that allow you to establish relationships between an organization and its publics (audiences). You also will develop strategic thinking skills, a global perspective, and an ethical framework that will enable you to quickly advance into a leadership role.

Depending on your interests and aspirations, you might choose a double major, in addition to your PR degree, in political science, business, marketing, history, psychology, or sociology.

During your senior year, you'll collaborate with other PR majors to create a complete multimedia campaign for a local nonprofit client, putting your skills to work in a real-world setting and developing a powerful piece for your professional portfolio.

What can you do with a Public Relations degree? You can be a public relations spokesperson or strategist for corporations, small businesses, government bodies, nonprofit organizations, or at PR and marketing agencies. You can work in media relations, government relations, employee relations, or investor relations. You can organize special events, be a speechwriter or fundraiser, work in corporate communications and counseling, strategic planning, and crisis communication.

Learn more about one of the best public relations schools and what the major has to offer!

Senior Lizzie Murphy was named the top PR student in Iowa in 2023.

Public Relations Faculty

Assistant Professor Eric Kwame Adae, Ph.D., has extensive professional experience as a communications consultant in his native Ghana. Among his research interests is global corporate responsibility.

Professor Kelly Bruhn, APR, Ph.D., brings years of public relations agency experience into the classroom, having created award-winning campaigns for Verizon Wireless and various non-profit organizations.

Associate Professor Jennifer Glover Konfrst, APR, worked in public relations for 20 years, most recently at Iowa Public Television, where she led the network’s brand strategy, cross-platform promotion, media relations, and crisis communication. She also has worked at an agency and on a political campaign.

Assistant Professor Mu He earned his master's degree in public relations at Boston University and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Miami.

Online BA in Journalism and Mass Communication - Public Relations

The online degree in public relations is designed for maximum flexibility and convenience with asynchronous courses that equip students with skills in strategy, multicultural communication, consumer behavior, and global branding. Students who enter the program after earning an associate degree may complete their online bachelor's degree in public relations in as little as two years. For other candidates, the average duration is four years.

Our accredited online public relations degree program will prepare you with the skills most in demand for a career in mass communication. As a student, you'll experience relevant, real-world education and can gain real work experience as you pursue your online degree in public relations. Graduates will complete the program with their chosen specialization in public relations:

• Global and Multicultural Communication
• Corporate Public Relations
• Nonprofit Advocacy and Communication