Which Colleges Offer Public Relations Courses in Fresno, CA?

Find out which Fresno, California, schools offer public relations courses. See program requirements and prerequisites, and learn about the job prospects for a public relations career in the Fresno area. Schools offering Public Relations degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Public Relations Courses in Fresno, California

Career Information and Job Outlook

Public relations specialists play an increasing role in businesses and organizations throughout the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for public relations specialists is expected to increase 23%, well above the national average for all occupations, during 2010-2020. The BLS states that growth should be spurred, in part, by the growth of social media and an increasing emphasis placed on consumer relations.

Public relations professionals perform tasks such as preparing media content and developing communication strategies to reach investors, media outlets and consumers. A bachelor's degree in business, journalism, communications, English or public relations is generally required for entry-level positions in the field.

Regional Employment and Salary Information

In 2011, public relations specialists nationwide earned a mean salary of around $60,000, based on BLS data. The state of California ranks first in employment level for public relations specialists and second in average income, behind only the nation's capital. In Fresno in 2011, the BLS states that the 210 reporting public relations specialists earned a mean salary of about $50,000. Four nearby metropolitan areas, including San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento, rank in the top ten among the top paying metropolitan areas for public relations specialists.


Bachelor's Degree Public Relations Programs in Fresno, California

California State University - Fresno

  • Program name: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communication and Journalism
  • Areas of emphasis: Public relations, advertising, journalism, multimedia
  • Program length: 4 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $1,700 per semester (in-state 2012-2013), additional $372 per unit for out-of-state residents
  • Admission Requirements: High school diploma, departmental qualifying examination, ACT/SAT scores
  • School type: 4-year public university, 21,500 approximate 2011-2012 enrollment
  • Address: Department of Communication, 5241 N Maple Ave., Fresno, California 93740-8027
  • Phone: (559) 278-2826

A member of the 23-campus California State University system, Fresno State offers a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism with an emphasis in public relations. Required program coursework includes courses covering public relations practices and methods. A public relations writing course introduces you to tailoring messages through press releases, reports, newsletters and other forms of mass communication. In your course covering public relations cases and campaigns, you analyze objectives and strategies using industry research and analysis methods. Other required courses include applied media research, in which you track and analyze messages.

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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