Online Public Relations Associates Degree Programs
Public relations professionals help organizations manage their public perception through communication with customers and media outlets. Learn which online associate's degree programs can lead to a career in public relations. Discover entry-level career options, and see how you can continue your education in the field.
What Online Degrees Are Available Relating to Public Relations?
Although public relations associate's degree programs may be rare online, you can enroll in an associate's degree program in business administration or marketing to prepare for a career in public relations. These degree programs prepare you to transfer to a 4-year college where you can complete a bachelor's degree program in public relations, journalism, marketing or communications. Your associate's degree program may also provide valuable internship opportunities for you to explore the career and begin networking with professionals in your prospective career field.
| Available Areas of Study | Business administration, marketing |
| Common Courses | Business writing, marketing principles, financial management, public relations principles, accounting |
| Online Program Requirements | No special requirements, just a computer with an Internet connection and standard productivity software |
| Continuing Education | Bachelor's degree programs in public relations are available on campus and online |
| Median Salary (2018) | $60,000* (for public relations specialist) |
| Job Outlook (2016-26) | 9% growth* (for all public relations specialists) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Will I Study?
Undergraduate courses related to public relations include business administration, advertising, political science, sociology, psychology, finance and creative writing. Public relations specialists do a lot of writing, composing informational brochures, speeches and press releases, among other forms of business communication. In addition to general education requirements, the following course topics are examples of what you might study while earning your associate's degree:
- Business writing and communication
- Principles of public relations
- Principles of marketing
- Financial management
- Accounting
How Can I Earn This Degree Online?
Online courses allow you flexibility, so you can study when it's convenient for you as long as you have self-discipline. All you need technologically to participate in online learning is a computer with standard productivity software and an Internet connection. Online courses are typically posted on the school's website or on a learning management system that the university selects to make online courses user-friendly and document student participation. Through these interfaces, you can upload assignments, take assessments, participate in discussions and view multimedia materials.
How Can I Continue My Education?
Once you have completed your associate's degree program, you can consider transferring to a 4-year college to take more advanced public relations courses. Public relations is a competitive field, generally requiring that you earn a bachelor's degree for entry-level employment; however, you can continue your education online at the baccalaureate level. In upper-division public relations courses, you learn principles and strategies for various aspects of the profession, such as media, employee and government relations.