Building Better Relationships
Every organization needs people who can craft and disseminate the right messages through the right media at the right time. It takes specialized training to articulate policies and key decisions, plan for and manage crisis situations, and encourage clear connections between leadership, employees, and communities.
Public relations is all about building relationships between organizations and the people and communities they serve. It’s a calling to communicate with truth and clarity. You make it happen with a degree from Belhaven University.
Why You’ll Love Public Relations at Belhaven
Hands-On Learning
All majors complete at least one internship with a business or organization, helping them develop their communication skills and workplace knowledge.
Professional Connections
Through Belhaven's faculty and our affiliation with public relations organizations, students can develop relationships which can help them with opportunities, network building and professional growth.
Christian Worldview
You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.
Preparing for Your Career
Belhaven Public Relations students take the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations exam, a credential you can use immediately in your job search after graduation.
Small Class Sizes
Our student-faculty ratio is 13:1, meaning you receive personalized attention and instruction
27,000 PR Jobs
Ten-year projections show more 8% industry growth available
1883 Founding Date
Our rich heritage of excellent educational opportunities spans nearly 140 years
What Can You Do with a Degree in Public Relations?
Follow your calling into journalism, social networks, broadcast communications, marketing, advertising, and other media fields. Or handle internal and external communications for a wide spectrum of companies and organizations.
Right now, Belhaven grads are putting their PR degrees to work as:
- Marketing specialist for transportation company
- College admissions representative
- Media producer at an ABC affiliate TV station
- Events managers
- Production director at a large church
- TV morning show host
Why Trust Belhaven With Your Future?
Our quality is recognized by SACSCOC, which grants our institutional accreditation and authority to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral-level degrees. Plus, we’re consistently recognized by organizations like U.S. News & World Report for our academic excellence, commitment to community service, expert faculty, and overall value.
Public Relations: What You'll Study
Theory and Craft
Starting with the basic theories and practices of communication and understanding the media, you build on that knowledge from a Christian perspective.
Required courses help you understand how persuasive messages are crafted and distributed, the basics of writing and reporting, how to communicate using social media, and the history and background of modern public relations practice.
You then move on to more advanced work in the field, applying your skills and knowledge in solving communications problems.
Focus on Marketing or Sports Communication
Marketing Emphasis
In this track, you learn valuable skills in marketing and business that prepare you for a career in Marketing Communications or a similar field.
Sports Communication Emphasis
We partner with the Sports Administration program to offer additional courses focusing on sports media or sports-related organizations.
Experiential Learning
As part of your graduation requirements for the degree in Public Relations, you complete at least one internship in a business, nonprofit organization, government agency, or other professional setting.
To gain credit for course COM450, you must work at least 135 hours during the internship. However, you can serve as many internships as you want, and we encourage multiple internships throughout your college career.
Finding Your Internship
You can make connections for an internship on your own, or you can work with your advisor. While some placements include compensation from the employer, this is not a requirement, and should not be a major consideration of whether an internship might be a valuable opportunity.
Objectives
Your advisor will work closely with your internship site supervise to ensure that during your experience you will:
- Improve your skill in your area of emphasis;
- Enhance your understanding of your chosen field and your ability to incorporate Biblical principles;
- Make a meaningful contribution to your employer by using your skills and talents;
- Learn how to develop and nurture relationships with the media on behalf of a particular company or agency; and
- Help make decisions on a daily basis while working for or with the media.
Download the Communication/Public Relations Internship Packet
Public Relations: What You'll Study
Theory and Craft
Starting with the basic theories and practices of communication and understanding the media, you build on that knowledge from a Christian perspective.
Required courses help you understand how persuasive messages are crafted and distributed, the basics of writing and reporting, how to communicate using social media, and the history and background of modern public relations practice.
You then move on to more advanced work in the field, applying your skills and knowledge in solving communications problems.
Focus on Marketing or Sports Communication
Marketing Emphasis
In this track, you learn valuable skills in marketing and business that prepare you for a career in Marketing Communications or a similar field.
Sports Communication Emphasis
We partner with the Sports Administration program to offer additional courses focusing on sports media or sports-related organizations.
Experiential Learning
As part of your graduation requirements for the degree in Public Relations, you complete at least one internship in a business, nonprofit organization, government agency, or other professional setting.
To gain credit for course COM450, you must work at least 135 hours during the internship. However, you can serve as many internships as you want, and we encourage multiple internships throughout your college career.
Finding Your Internship
You can make connections for an internship on your own, or you can work with your advisor. While some placements include compensation from the employer, this is not a requirement, and should not be a major consideration of whether an internship might be a valuable opportunity.
Objectives
Your advisor will work closely with your internship site supervise to ensure that during your experience you will:
- Improve your skill in your area of emphasis;
- Enhance your understanding of your chosen field and your ability to incorporate Biblical principles;
- Make a meaningful contribution to your employer by using your skills and talents;
- Learn how to develop and nurture relationships with the media on behalf of a particular company or agency; and
- Help make decisions on a daily basis while working for or with the media.
Download the Communication/Public Relations Internship Packet
Public Relations Curriculum
- Four-Year Plan: Freshmen (pdf)
- Four-Year Plan: Transfers (pdf)
- Four-Year Plan: Freshmen
- Four-Year Plan: Transfers
- Four-Year Plan: Freshmen (pdf)
- Four-Year Plan: Transfers
Show off Your Skills
By your senior year, you’re prepared to take the Certificate of Principles in Public Relations exam. This certification shows you’ve mastered the fundamentals of PR and you’re ready for employment.
Get Involved
The Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) is a source of expertise and inspiration, and a forum for networking with public relations practitioners throughout the state and the region.
When you join PRAM as a student, you have access to statewide conferences, accreditation study programs, social occasions, industry awards and more. Talk to your advisor today!
Contact Us
Office of Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5