Public Relations

Degree Options

• B.A. in Public Relations
• Minor in Public Relations

Why Public Relations?

In an age of instant communication, organizations regularly capture the public’s imagination by applying vibrant and persuasive public relations strategies. EKU prepares students for careers in public relations and provides them with critical tools necessary to succeed. The program is certified by the Public Relations Society of America, making it one of a select few in the world. The program offers exceptional facilities coupled with a talented faculty dedicated to professional education.           

Public relations students begin their studies at EKU taking general education courses to provide the background education necessary to understand our world. As students progress in their studies, professional communication courses become more prevalent in their semester schedules. These courses provide insight into the public relations field and prepare students to be professionals through development of skills in communication management, research, strategic planning, media relations, crisis management, organizational writing, social media, and event coordination.       

Who Would be Interested in Public Relations?

Students who possess:

• Good communication skills and the desire to improve those skills

• Strong writing skills

• Good analytical and strategic thinking skills

• A wide range of interests and a curious nature

Department Faculty and Student Organizations

Faculty members within the Department of Communication have exceptional real-world experience. Public relations students have access to digital graphics, audio and video equipment, and software within the student labs as well as dedicated computer writing labs. The Public Relations Student Society of America offers students an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and to build solid relationships with PR professionals.

Our Facilities

The Department of Communication is located on the third floor of the Combs Building in the center of campus. In addition to classrooms and faculty offices, the department offers three Mac labs with state-of-the-art design software (currently Adobe Creative Cloud 2018), podcast and video production studios, a student media center for print and digital publishing, and an audio production lab.

Public Relations Careers

When you graduate with a degree in public relations from EKU, you’ll be ready to join the ranks of those who already hold positions in corporations, healthcare centers, educational institutions, and public relations agencies in Kentucky and across the country. You’ll be counted on to provide professional advice to senior management, devise print, broadcast, online, and social media plans based on organizational goals, craft publications, write for print and electronic media, plan events, and negotiate compromises between your business or organization and those affected by it.

What are the Requirements to be Admitted to the Program?

Students may select either option in Public Relations upon applying to the university.

How Do I Get More Information?

https://communication.eku.edu/

Contact Dr. Kathy Previs, Program Coordinator

kathy.previs@eku.edu

859-622-8936

Are There Scholarship Opportunities?

https://communication.eku.edu/scholarship-information

• Freshman Public Relations Scholarship
• Dr. Glen Kleine Scholarship
• Dr. Dean C. Cannon Endowed Memorial Communication Scholarship
• Pat and Paul Gleason Public Relations Scholarship
• Christy L. Guttridge Memorial Scholarship
• National Black Public Relations Society Scholarship
• Kentucky Society for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing (KSHPRM) Scholarship
• Gary Yoshimura Scholarship
• Kentucky Society for Hospital Public Relations