What Colleges Offer Public Relations Degrees in Milwaukee, WI?

Have an interest in public relations and communications? Read on to learn about several bachelor's degree programs and one master's degree program in the Milwaukee, WI area.

What You Need to Know

Schools near Milwaukee that offer degree programs in public relations (PR) are all four-year and primarily private institutions, with one public university offering a program as well. Most public relations programs in the area lead to bachelor's degrees. A master's degree in the field is also available. Generally, the baccalaureate programs take four years to complete and the master's degree may be earned in two years. In order to apply to the master's degree program, you must first hold a bachelor's degree. Three of the four bachelor's degree programs are in public relations; the fourth is a degree in journalism, advertising, and media studies but offers a range of courses directly applicable to a career in public relations. Students may be required to complete an internship or work on an internal newspaper, such as a school paper.

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

Carthage College

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.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
• Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $43,550 per year (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; approximately 2,800 undergraduate and 100 graduate students

Concordia University - Wisconsin

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

• Program Name: Bachelor's degree in public relations
• Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $29,450 per year (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 6,400 students (3,500 undergraduate)

Marquette University

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.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition and Fees: $41,870 per year (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 11,600 students (8,400 undergraduate)

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

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.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies (JAMS)
• Specialization Areas: Advertising and public relations
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition and Fees: $9,588 per year for in-state residents; $20,867 per year for out-of-state residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: JAMS 101 and 102 course, 2.5 GPA in college courses, 24 college credits
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 27,000 students (22,300 undergraduate)

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

Marquette University

Graduate-level communications students at Marquette University are required to take five core courses in general communications before moving on to focus on one of five 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.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in Communications
• Concentration: Advertising and public relations
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition: $20,340 per year (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 11,600 students (8,400 undergraduate)

If public relations, marketing, and communications interest you, there are various programs in Milwaukee, WI that can help to build your career.