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Program Overview
Insights into our online public relations bachelor’s degree program
Grow your expertise as a persuasive communicator with the 100% online Bachelor of Science in Public Relations program from Northwest Missouri State University. According to Lightcast data, the demand for public relations skills in job postings has increased by over 40% from 2017 to 2023 Nationally and in Missouri, making this degree the career of choice for many students. Learn from our expert faculty who have years of professional experience in this sector and can introduce you to the most relevant communication career scenarios as well as their professional contacts in the field.
In our online public relations degree program, you will develop your public relations and communication skills across multiple media platforms, focusing on key aspects such as writing, social media and information management. You will grow your foundational knowledge of public relations techniques and expand your skills in both written and verbal communication. As a graduate of the B.S. in PR online program, you will have grown as a creative thinker and problem solver, fully preparing you to view all sides of modern-day challenges and to offer strategic solutions.
Our experiential learning format prepares you with the relevant knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the workforce upon graduating. The undergraduate-level curriculum goes beyond theory and encourages you, as a student, to think critically and act decisively. Plus, the profession-based learning aspect of the curriculum, influenced by the Professional Advisory Board at Northwest, allows you to apply your studies to real-life contexts. The Board, composed of industry professionals, meet annually to discuss the job market, workforce skills, gaps and needs and provide that information to Northwest faculty, so they may incorporate it in their course learning outcomes.
This online program in public relations is fundamental in preparing career-ready graduates
93% of students graduating with this online degree find employment or continue their education within six months after graduation.
Graduates of this online Public Relations program will:
- Be able to manage social media campaigns, leveraging tools to track and measure success (Facebook, Twitter)
- Gain a general understanding of Google Analytics
- Develop the power of persuasion
- Be adept in crisis communication and learn to protect and restore an organizational or professional image
- Be able to defend a position through well-thought-out research
- Know how to write and distribute press releases
- Be able to manage social media campaigns, leveraging tools to track and measure success (Facebook, Twitter)
- Gain a general understanding of Google Analytics
- Develop the power of persuasion
- Be adept in crisis communication and learn to protect and restore an organizational or professional image
- Be able to defend a position through well-thought-out research
- Know how to write and distribute press releases
Public relations career opportunities include:
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Communications Specialist
- Speech Writer
- Event Planner
- Nonprofit Fundraiser
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Communications Specialist
- Speech Writer
- Event Planner
- Nonprofit Fundraiser
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Also available:
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online undergraduate programs.
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition
Affordable tuition you can pay as you go
Our B.S. in Public Relations online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course |
---|---|---|
B.S. PR | $334* | $1,002 |
Important Refund Information
2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Transfer Your Credits for Lower Tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student’s Northwest record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Preview Northwest's online dates and deadlines
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working students, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/19/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/18/25 | 2/24/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/15/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/2/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Steps to being admitted into our online public relations program
At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the B.S. in Public Relations online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
To apply for this program, you must meet the requirements for one of the sections listed below.
Transfer Criteria
- Students with 24 or more transferrable credit hours:
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Students with less than 24 transferrable credit hours:
- Follow freshman admission requirements and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Transfer students from non-regionally accredited institutions will also be considered a freshman; credit cannot be transferred into Northwest from a non-regionally accredited institution
Returning Students (previously enrolled as degree-seeking at Northwest)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA in any coursework completed since last being at Northwest (on 4.0 scale)
- A probation essay (if returning after being suspended or put on probation) explaining previous time at Northwest, what they've been doing since and how they plan to be successful when they return
Freshman Criteria (Adult - 24+ years old):
- High school transcript showing graduation date or completion of GED/HiSET
- Essay
- ACT/SAT test scores optional; can be submitted for scholarship/placement purposes if available
Freshman Criteria (for non-adult freshmen and transfers with less than 24 transferrable hours):
- Category I:
- 21 or higher ACT composite (or the SAT equivalent: SAT-980 or 1060**)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on 4.0 scale)
**Per 2016 SAT redesign.
- Category II:
- Have an admissions index score (see here) that equals or exceeds 100 points
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Category III:
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Complete high school college-preparatory curriculum
- Students who have completed the GED or HiSET are eligible with a minimum score of 660 on the GED or a minimum score of 75 on the HiSET
- This category is not an option for home-schooled or unaccredited high school graduates unless they have also completed the GED or HiSET
Home-Schooled Students
Applicants must have their ACT or SAT results submitted directly from ACT or College Board. A transcript listing of high school courses and grades in each course is also required for admission.
- 21 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent), OR
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
GED Applicants/HiSET Applicants
A student may be considered for admission after receiving an equivalency certification, meeting the following criteria:
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of AdmissionsNorthwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
A look at the online Bachelor of Science in Public Relations curriculum
For the B.S. in PR online, the curriculum is comprised of 120 credit hours, including: 44-47 credit hours of Northwest Core (general education), 4 credit hours of our university seminar, 33 credit hours of communication core courses, 12 credit hours of cognate courses, 6 credit hours of emphasis courses, 9 credit hours of communication courses, and 6 credit hours of advisor-approved electives. Plus, as many credit hours of general elective courses as needed to fulfill the 120 credit hour degree requirement.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the role of writing and speaking in living and learning
- Engage in disciplined thought to generate and communicate ideas
- Locate, retrieve, organize, store, synthesize, and annotate various forms of information
- Engage in team-based activities and understand the logistics, value, and challenges of effective teamwork
Course Specific Objectives:
- To provide an overview of the study of public communication and the historical development of the field.
- To gain an understanding of what constitutes a well-structured message.
- To evaluate the quality and applicability of different types of support in constructing messages with various purposes
- To develop skills for preparing high quality visual aids of various types (including computer developed slides using PowerPoint)
- To integrate the understanding of conceptual issues into the practice of developing public speeches.
- To develop and refine critical listening skills.
- To intelligently critique the speeches of others with compassion and insight.
- To use language effectively to advance a speaker's goals and to engage the audience.
- To become comfortable with extemporaneous and impromptu forms of delivery.
- To appreciate the value of refining speeches to achieve excellence in public speaking
Learning Outcomes:
- Distinguish between impersonal and interpersonal communication
- Explain the role of communication in the development of a sense of self
- Articulate the influence of perception and perceptual barriers on communication
- Identify essential characteristics of healthy relationships
- Develop and sustain healthy relationships in diverse settings
- Be able to apply interpersonal concepts to work based situations
Learning Outcomes:
- Further develop writing skills necessary for the public relations field
- Students will be exposed to the practices of business and learn to communicate properly in a business setting
- Learn how to analyze an audience and structure messages appropriately
- Learn how to properly apply spelling and grammar skills
- Learn about the multiple functions of communication in an organization, both public and internal
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn to apply basic theories in crisis communication to crisis situations
- Learn about the basics of crisis management at various levels of an organization
- Analyze how crisis communication is handled in a crisis situation
- Utilize crisis communication to create opportunities for positive outcomes in an organization
- Learn the necessary elements to create crisis communication plans
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and explain ways for understanding and applying communication in conflicting situations that promotes unity and solvency
- Understand current research as it relates to conflict management in interpersonal, group, business, and other contexts
- Apply communication models and techniques that promote effective conflict resolution in various situations
- Identify issues that contribute positively and negatively to conflict situations
- Apply methods of conflict management to specific conflict situations. Select methods and techniques appropriate to fostering conflict resolution in personal situations.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the role promotion plays in overall marketing strategy
- Understand promotional concepts/terminology
- Understand the purpose, practice, significance, and current state of promotion
- Explain the components of, and major influences on, a firm's promotional/communication tools/strategies
- Understand the activities necessary to consider when developing a promotional campaign
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how consumer behavior is used in product positioning, market segmentation, new product and new market development, global marketing, and developing consumer legislation and public policy
- Expand our understanding of the consumer purchase decision process
- Understand how a marketing manager uses consumer behavior concepts to develop marketing strategy
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply basic marketing research concepts and terminology
- Describe how marketing research is used to enhance decision making
- Report problems in researchable terms
- Prepare to collect, analyze, and interpret data through statistical analysis and general software
- Write in a formal business style
- Construct a fundamentally sound base of marketing research knowledge
Still undecided?
Check out our other undergraduate online degree programs.
Ranked #1
Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)
Highly Qualified Faculty
100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition. A one-time fee of $20.50 will be charged for remote proctoring of required Assessment of Core Proficiencies.
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Submit the form, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
Request Information
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.