Public Relations

Type of Offering

Major Minor

College

Our public relations program combines rigorous academics with hands-on learning. Sure, you’ll study all the theories and concepts. But you’ll also put them to the test in the real world. You’ll hone skills that are important for success – like leadership, teamwork and networking. You’ll meet PR professionals in many different fields who will share their stories and open doors for you.

When you first arrive on campus, we’ll assign you a faculty mentor who will work with you until you graduate. You’ll enjoy small class sizes and amazing friendships with your fellow public relations majors. Your dedicated professors will get to know you. They will guide you in your coursework, hands-on learning, internships��and post-graduate or career preparations. They will become personally invested in your success – in college and beyond.

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to guide businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and more with effective communication strategies. Within a short time, you’ll be a rising star in the world of public relations!

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Students in the PRSSA Student Organization

Opportunity abounds

Our small setting equals big opportunity. From writing stories for the online campus paper to studying abroad, from assisting a professor with research to attending a national PRSSA conference, you’ll discover countless opportunities to expand your horizons and build your résumé.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COURSES, CURRICULUM & PROGRAM RESOURCES

Here are some courses you will take as a public relations major: Social Media Strategies & Campaigns, Presentational Speaking, Principles of Public Relations, Principles of Social Media and Advanced PR Writing.

Award-winning success

The students in our chapter of the Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA) consistently win national awards. That’s no small feat considering we are competing against more than 10,000 public relations students nationwide. PRSSA offers many opportunities to learn about the profession and compete in national competitions while socializing and networking with peers and professionals. At ONU, we even pair each PRSSA member with a mentor – an ONU alumnus – who offers career advice, job tips and more. Our PRSSA chapter also runs True North – a nationally accredited student-run public relations firm that adheres to the seven standards for excellence in practice established by PRSSA.

Certification in Education for Academic Programs in Public Relations

The public relations program at ��ɫ��TV University is CEPR certified. Established in 1989 as a voluntary program, Certification in Education for Public Relations (CEPR) offers academic programs the opportunity to have an outside evaluation team review and endorse undergraduate and master’s level programs for meeting eight standards in curriculum, faculty, students, resources and facilities, assessment, professional affiliations, relationships with the total unit and the university, and diversity and global perspectives.

Internships

As a PR major, you’ll need to complete at least one internship. But most students complete more than one to gain experience and build their résumés. We’ll help you land strategic internships geared toward your future. An ONU professor will even visit you and your internship supervisor on-site. Our PR students intern locally, nationally and internationally.

Hone your PR skills with real-world learning

To be successful in public relations, you need to know how to problem-solve, think creatively and strategically, and network. Here you’ll hone these skills inside and outside the classroom with real-world projects and experiences. Best of all, you’ll have fun doing it. Click on the headlines below to learn more.

Join one of the best PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) chapters in the country! We consistently win national awards, and that’s no small feat considering we compete against more than 10,000 public relations students nationwide. PRSSA offers lots of opportunities to learn about the profession, compete in national competitions, and socialize and network. We even pair each PRSSA member with a mentor--usually an ONU alumnus--who offers career advice, job tips and more.
Imagine working on real communication/marketing projects and campaigns in a public relations firm run by college students. True North PR operates like a real PR firm with three departments--creative design, internal communication and client services. Each is headed by a vice president. Students tackle projects (usually 5-10) per year for a variety of non-profit, corporate and campus clients. From client meetings to strategic planning, research to concept development, True North provides exceptional experiences that will make your resume shine.
Members of ONU’s PRSSA chapter create a biannual newsletter called PRestige. The editor is selected by peers and works hard to create this newsletter every semester. Other students get involved by writing stories about events such as PRSSA National Conference, graduating seniors, internship opportunities, alumni, firm trips, industry news and more. Our newsletter is shared with alumni, staff, faculty and PR professionals.
Every spring and fall we take students on field trips to meet with companies and public relations firms. You’ll get insights in the organization’s communication functions and media strategies and have the opportunity to ask questions. The fall trip is usually planned for a small city within a few hours from Ada, and the spring trip to a major city like Chicago.
Every spring we host a workshop that brings to campus leading experts and trailblazers in the field of social media. The workshop draws communication professionals from across the region, providing a great opportunity for networking. Students play a key role in helping to plan the social media workshop. Learn more about this year's event here.��
The mission of the International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to foster personal and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society and to serve its lifelong members.
This association is a collegiate chapter of NEO. Over the last decade, NEO has helped thousands of student entrepreneurs gain the opportunities and resources to inform, support and inspire them in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
The Dean’s Advisory Council is a group of student representatives who strive to improve the Dicke College of Business Administration through proactive leadership, organized teamwork, and dynamic communication with students and faculty in a manner that reflects the integrity of the college and ��ɫ��TV University. The council consists of four DCBA students from each undergraduate class.
Dean of the DCBA: Dr. John C. Navin
Selection of new��members. All freshmen are encouraged to apply for four open spots through an application and interview process. Candidates are elected by the Dicke College of Business Administration majors. Once selected, members remain on the board for their four years at ONU.
Polar Merchandise is ��ɫ��TV's first and only entirely student run business. Polar has resided in the Dicke College providing promotional products and custom merchandise to both ��ɫ��TV Organizations and businesses in the Midwest since 2010.��
Recently Polar has totally renovated its business model significantly reducing price and improving customer service. ��As of April 2014 Polar Merchandise became an authorized dealer of Kaeser and Blair which has allowed us to reduce pricing to at or below industry standard.

��ɫ��TV University has made a tremendous impact on my life – from the friends and memories I made, to the lessons and experiences it provided that started me on the path to where I am today in my career.

Jake Schwerer, BA '13

AACSB Accredited

The Dicke College of Business is accredited by AACSB International, a premier accrediting agency. AACSB-accredited schools have the highest quality faculty, relevant and challenging curriculum, and provide educational and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools. AACSB Accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Less than 5 percent of the world's 13,000 business programs have earned AACSB Accreditation. AACSB-accredited schools produce graduates that are highly skilled and more desirable to employers than other non-accredited schools.

End Game: A Fulfilling Public Relations Career

Our graduates are achieving their “dream jobs” and engaging in PR work that’s making an impact. From entertainment to business, healthcare to retail, professional sports to non-profits, every industry needs exceptional PR professionals. Check out where some of our graduates have ended up.

Careers in Public Relations:
- Account executive
- Copywriter
- Public information officer
- Media planner
- Special events coordinator
- Fundraiser
- Investor relations
- Marketing coordinator
- Media relations
- Production coordinator
- Marketing communications
- Art director
- Marketing manager
- Government affairs
- Strategic planner
- Social media specialist

Take the first step toward living the Polar Bear life

We would love to meet you and show you around!
Your health, safety and future are in good hands at Northern. We offer a host of services to keep you informed and meet your needs while you are on campus.

��ɫ����TV

Public Relations

Opportunity abounds

PUBLIC RELATIONS COURSES, CURRICULUM & PROGRAM RESOURCES

Award-winning success

Certification in Education for Academic Programs in Public Relations

Internships

Hone your PR skills with real-world learning

PRSSA

True North PR

PRestige

Firm Trips

Social Media Workshop

Beta Gamma Sigma

Northern Entrepreneurship Organization

DCBA Dean's Advisory Council

Polar Merchandise

AACSB Accredited

End Game: A Fulfilling Public Relations Career

Take the first step toward living the Polar Bear life

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