Behind every good communication, a plan is a strategy to build relationships and influence a wider audience. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations at Southern New Hampshire University prepares you to lead or contribute to furthering your organization's mission, message, and public image. In PR, media is earned, not paid meaning you'll need to learn the power of persuasion and how it's beneficial to the people and organizations you're representing. When you earn your public relations degree online from SNHU, you can position yourself for a career that makes an impact.

From learning a variety of formats for sharing your communications to becoming skilled in tools that can make your job more efficient, a specialized PR degree can give you an edge over the competition. This bachelor's in public relations focuses on developing your skills in thinking, writing, research, strategic planning, and execution. Ethics also play a large role throughout the program as you develop the PR savvy needed to be a responsible communicator.

"Students in the BA in Communication public relations concentration will learn how to cultivate, monitor, and maintain relationships in an effort to promote a positive public image for their clients, said Dr. Karen Wilkinson, associate dean of communication at SNHU. They'll learn the art of storytelling in an effort to engage diverse audiences and enlighten, persuade and inform in support of communication goals."

Learn how to:

- Develop and deliver a variety of communications

- Use communication tools to spread your messages

- Collaborate with stakeholders

- Embrace ethical communication plans

"Public relations is fast-paced and you always have to be prepared for change. With your online public relations degree from SNHU, you join a program that positions you for a rewarding career. Because of what I've learned here and the amount of networking that you get to do at SNHU a huge global environment of the network here  I have been able to see that my potential is not just a next level at work," said Stephen Burkhart '16. "I have opportunities to reach a global space, and that makes me feel a little more empowered, a little more like I can go out into the world and make a difference."

"As defined by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), PR is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics." Your online degree in public relations can help you learn how to create and nurture the connections that will be so crucial to your success in the industry. Samantha Hoyt '21 said she had takeaways from all classes, but one, in particular, stood out. "I've found that each class has taught me something unique," she said. "Personal Brand Communications was my favorite course because it encouraged me to dive into my personal brand and lay the foundation for my branding, allowing me to identify my own goals and aspirations."

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shares the important qualities of a PR specialist all of which are covered in SNHU's public relations courses online:

- Interpersonal skills: Maintaining a good relationship with the public and the media

- Organizational skills: Being able to quickly switch from one project or client to another

- Problem-solving skills: Using good judgment while handling sensitive issues

- Speaking skills: Explaining an organization's position clearly

- Writing skills: Getting the attention of an audience quickly through succinct messaging

Dr. Karen Wilkinson, associate dean of communication at SNHU, echoes the need for those skills. "Students will learn oral, written, and visual communications," she said. "They'll create messaging solutions for diverse target audiences and apply social media strategies, design principles, and cutting-edge technology to deliver ethical and socially responsible communications. Your online public relations degree not only explores traditional communication channels but also trains you to use emerging technologies to communicate effectively. Courses are taught by faculty with years of real-world, hands-on experience. The courses were also designed by professionals in the industry. We worked intently with industry experts, knowledgeable academics, and subject-matter experts to focus on the skills and competencies that are needed by successful communicators within the contemporary workplace," Wilkinson said. "

Our dedicated efforts were focused on ensuring that our students could hit the ground running as through their studies, they are empowered with the essential tools, knowledge, and skill sets that they need to be competitive and to succeed in the real world. By working with communication experts, you can gain valuable insights from those working in the field.

"The instructors each give their own take on the lessons in each module," said Victoria Comis '21. "It helped me to understand the information better." You'll end your public relations degree program with a capstone course, which includes the opportunity to create an e-portfolio. In turn, that gives you the chance to show your work throughout your program to employers when you begin your job search another way to stand out in the competitive job market."

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

- Completed free undergraduate application

- Prior transcripts, which we can retrieve at no cost to you

- Test scores are not required as part of your application Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)