What Colleges Offer Public Relations Degrees in Milwaukee, WI?

Learn about public relations degrees in the Milwaukee area. Get information on program options, degree requirements and classes, and get career and salary info for the region. Schools offering Public Relations degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Career Info for Public Relations (PR) Professionals near Milwaukee, WI

To become a public relations specialist or manager, you most likely need a bachelor's degree in public relations or a related field, such as journalism, communications, business or English, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Near Milwaukee, a few colleges offer specific public relations majors, but PR coursework can also be found in other communication programs.

After working in the field, you may wish to gain a professional edge by obtaining the voluntary Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation from the Public Relations Society of America. To qualify, you typically need about 5 years of PR experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field.

Job Prospects and Salary

The BLS projected a 21% growth in employment nationwide for public relations specialists and managers from 2010-2020, which is a faster than average increase. However, the BLS also states that strong competition will exist for entry-level positions. According to May 2011 data from the BLS, there were 1,390 PR specialists and 360 PR and fundraising managers working in the Milwaukee - Waukesha - West Allis, WI, region. These professionals earned an annual mean wage of approximately $57,000 and $105,000, respectively, at that time.

Public Relations Bachelor's Degree Programs in the Milwaukee, WI, Area

Carthage College

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
  • Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $33,000 per year (cost for 2012-2013)
  • School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; approximately 3,000 undergraduate and 100 graduate students
  • Address: 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha, WI 53140
  • Phone: (262) 551-8500

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Carthage College offers a bachelor's degree in public relations through the Department of Communication and Digital Media. To earn the degree, you must complete 56 credits in the major, including 4 departmental core classes in visual communication, public speaking, cinema production and symbolic human activity. You can also choose other courses that cover topics like persuasion, marketing, economics and media writing.

Concordia University - Wisconsin

  • Program Name: Bachelor's degree in public relations
  • Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $23,970 per year (cost for 2011-2012)
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; approximately 4,400 undergraduate and 3,200 graduate students
  • Address: 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53097
  • Phone: (262) 243-4201

The 200-acre Mequon, WI, campus of Concordia University offers a bachelor's degree program with a major in public relations. In the program, you are required to complete 18 credits of core communication classes in addition to 25 hours of coursework in public relations. You'll study graphic design, group dynamics, marketing and advanced public relations topics. The department also requires you to work 1 semester on the Beacon, the school newspaper.

Marquette University

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Tuition: $32,810 per year (cost for 2012-2013)
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; approximately 8,300 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate students
  • Address: 1131 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233
  • Phone: (414) 288-7133

Marquette University, a private school in Milwaukee, offers bachelor's degrees in public relations through the Diederich College of Communication. While in the program, you'll need to complete 39 credits of PR coursework in addition to general education studies. Courses you'll encounter include media writing, marketing communication and PR strategies. An internship is required as part of the curriculum, and you might be able to study at a local company or organization, such as Harley-Davidson, the American Red Cross or Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies (JAMS)
  • Specialization Areas: Advertising and public relations
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Tuition: $9,380 per year for WI residents, $19,088 per year for nonresidents (costs for 2011-2012)
  • Prerequisites: JAMS 101 and 102 course, 2.5 GPA in college courses, 24 college credits
  • School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 24,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students
  • Address: 2522 E. Hartford Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53201
  • Phone: (414) 229-4436

The College of Letters and Sciences, located on the Milwaukee campus of the University of Wisconsin, administers curriculum in PR studies. You can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies and concentrate in advertising and public relations. While completing the program's 39 major credits, you'll study methods of researching, writing and producing PR campaigns. Additionally, you'll have opportunities to network and hone your leadership and public relations skills by joining the university's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Public Relations Bachelor's Degree Programs in the Milwaukee, WI, Area

Marquette University

  • Program Name: Master of Arts in Communications
  • Concentration: Advertising and public relations
  • Program Length: 2 years
  • Tuition: $985 per credit (cost for 2012-2013)
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; approximately 8,300 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate students
  • Address: 1131 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233
  • Phone: (414) 288-7133

Graduate-level communications students at Marquette University are required to take five core courses in general communications before moving on to focus on 1 of 5 possible specialization areas. Courses within the advertising and public relations program may include topics in public relations management, social media, cause marketing and integrated marketing communication campaigns. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available.

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:

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