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Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
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Public Relations

faculty teaching in class

A bachelor of science degree in public relations from the Greenlee School will provide you with the concepts, skills and expertise needed to help organizations build mutually beneficial relationships with diverse publics. The knowledge and tools you’ll develop through the P R curriculum ensure you can enter fields such as corporate communication, government affairs and public relations firms. Coursework in this major focuses on writing, research, digital and emerging media, and professional abilities. You are required to complete a capstone internship experience to practice and refine your skills.

Greenlee School public relations students have interned at Weber Shandwick, Caesars Entertainment, Spong PR (now Carmichael Lynch Relate), Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Baltimore Ravens and many other agencies, firms, businesses and government entities.

In 2023, our public relations program was recertified by the Public Relations Society of America Board.

Madison Tuttle headshot

Greenlee gave me the foundational skills to make sure I went into my internship and job with the writing, planning and communication skills needed to be successful.

Madison Tuttle, ’18 public relations

Experiences

Students at Iowa State University can tailor their experience to make sure they gain valuable skills for the future.

A wide variety of student organizations and clubs are available for students to join—including academic, honor societies, political & activism, intramural sports and Greek life. The Greenlee School in particular offers many student media clubs and opportunities for students to become involved in both for fun and to add to their professional portfolios.

Gain leadership and service experience through the student activities center, go to one of the many fun campus events like the Cyclone Carnival, or learn more about clubs and activities at the annual ClubFest to see the many ways you can get involved during your time at Iowa State.

Career opportunities

Students who study public relations have many diverse opportunities across various industries. These careers emphasize the importance of effective communication and strategic messaging in building and maintaining brands and organizational success.

Here are just some examples of the careers you can pursue with a degree in public relations:

  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Communications Manager
  • Social Media Manager
  • Corporate Communications Specialist
  • Event Planner
  • Media Relations Specialist
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Crisis Communications Manager

Resources