Which Texas Colleges Offer a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations?
Find out which Texas schools offer public relations programs. See tuition and school information, and learn about job growth for a public relations career in Texas. Schools offering Public Relations degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Career Info for Public Relations (PR) Professionals in Texas
A bachelor's degree program in public relations can prepare you for a variety of positions, such as a PR specialist or manager. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that you may need a few years of prior PR experience to pursue management positions in this field.
If you would like to increase your chances for being hired as a manager, you may want to consider continuing your education by enrolling in a master's degree program. You can also prepare for this field through studies in related programs, such as communications, journalism, English or business. If you are interested in showing your proficiency, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) offers the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential.
Salary and Job Outlook Info for Texas
The BLS predicted that PR specialists and managers across the country would see a 21% employment growth between 2010 and 2020. In 2011, the BLS reported that there were 2,770 public relations and fundraising managers in Texas who earned an average salary of about $108,000. The BLS also noted in the same year that the 18,050 public relations specialists in Texas earned an average of approximately $59,000.
Public Relations Bachelor's Degree Programs in Texas
Abilene Christian University
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Advertising/Public Relations
- Program Length: Four years, full-time
- Tuition: $27,000 per year (tuition and fees for 2012-2013)
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; SAT/ACT scores or personal essay
- School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; approximately 3,800 undergrads and 920 grads
- Address: Don H. Morris Center Room 301, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, Texas 79699
- Phone: (325) 674-2296
Established in 1906, this school can be found near downtown Abilene. During your education, you can expect to complete undergraduate courses in marketing principles, interactive media, publication design, issues in the media, communication law and advertising principles. Since this is a faith-based school, you may also be required to take courses covering Bible messages and scripture studies. The university also offers related bachelor's degree programs in advertising and marketing.
Texas Tech University
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
- Program Length: Four years, full-time
- Tuition: $20,753 per year for residents, $28,265 per year for non-residents (tuition and estimated student expenses for 2011-2012)
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; completed high school courses in English, math, science and foreign language; SAT/ACT scores; essay and three letters of recommendation recommended
- School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 25,000 undergrads, 6,200 grads
- Address: 213 Media and Communication Building, Box 43082, Lubbock, Texas 79409
- Phone: (806) 742-3385
Located near the South Plains of West Texas, this school was opened in 1923 and is one of the largest schools of its kind in the western region of Texas. As a PR student in this bachelor's degree program, you'll cover topics like public policy, strategies, field-related writing, management techniques, campaign operations, research techniques and news writing. This program may train you for areas including sports communications, nonprofit organizations, corporate relations and government relations.
University of Houston
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Communications
- Field of Study Options: Advertising, health communications, media studies, journalism, corporate communications, interpersonal communications, media production and public relations
- Program Length: Four years, full-time
- Tuition: $280 per semester credit hour for residents, $631 per semester credit hour for nonresidents (costs for 2012-2013)
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; SAT/ACT scores
- School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 31,000 undergrads, 8,100 grads
- Address: 101 Communications Building, Houston, Texas 77204
- Phone: (713) 743-2873
Established south of downtown Houston, this school opened its doors in 1927. You can specialize in public relations after enrolling in the bachelor's degree program in communications. During this program, you will study business organization and operations, PR policy, product and service representation, campaign design and execution, data analysis and research methodology. If you are interested in hands-on development, this program also offers professional internship opportunities.
University of Texas at Austin
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Public Relations
- Program Length: Four years, full-time
- Tuition: $4,832 per semester for residents, $16,331 per semester for nonresidents (costs for 2012-2013)
- Requirements: Two essays; high school diploma or equivalent; ACT/SAT scores; resume and letter of recommendation recommended
- School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 38,000 undergrads, 13,000 grads
- Address: Department of Advertising and Public Relations, CMA 7.142, Austin, Texas 78712
- Phone: (512) 471-1101
This school officially opened in 1883 and can be found in downtown Austin. During your education, you may be trained in areas including research for advertising and PR, public relations writing, marketing concepts, media ethics, marketing statistics and PR strategy. This school requires to you to complete an internship prior to graduation. The university is also home to one of the original Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters and Texas Tower Public Relations, which is a public relations firm ran by University of Texas students.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below: