Overview

Public relations graduates learn how to lead productive and compassionate lives with the creativity and integrity demanded by the industry. 

Public Relations is about learning to manage relationships between organizations and the publics that can affect an organization’s success. Students will learn to research, plan, implement and evaluate communication campaigns. Activities focus on how to build relationships between an organization and its publics, monitor the organization's environment and counsel management on policies and programs. 

Why Choose Manchester for Your Public Relations Minor?

• Public Relations Skillset – Gain expertise in crafting messages, managing media, and building brand awareness—essential skills for careers in business, nonprofit work, sports, and more.
• Competitive Career Advantage – A PR minor complements majors like Communication Studies, Marketing, Business, and Digital Media, making graduates more marketable in industries that value strategic communication.
• Hands-On Experience – Engage in real-world projects, internships, and student organizations that provide practical experience in public relations, social media management, and event planning.

What Can You Do With Your Public Relations Minor?

• Corporate & Media Communications – Roles like Corporate Communications Specialist, Media Relations Specialist, and Public Information Officer focus on managing a company’s public image and media interactions.
• Marketing & Digital Media – Careers such as Content Marketing Manager, Online Reputation Manager, Digital Marketing Coordinator, and Digital Video Editor involve promoting brands through digital platforms and content creation.
• Event & Hospitality Management – Positions like Event Planner and Hospitality Manager focus on organizing events, managing experiences, and building brand relationships.
• Community & Social Responsibility – Roles in Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility involve fostering positive relationships between organizations and the public.
• Training & Strategic Communication – Careers in Training and Development and Strategic Communication focus on improving internal communication, leadership, and messaging within organizations.

Courses in Public Relations

260 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS
An introduction to the ethical management of relationships between organizations and the publics that can affect their success. Students learn the public relations process of research, planning, communication and evaluation.

314 LANGUAGE AND THOUGHT 
Examination of some of the connections between the structure of language and the structure of thinking. Types of misevaluation are analyzed in terms of the language habits from which they spring. Effort is made to help students be more aware of the interpersonal and organizational problems created by unexamined attitudes toward language. C-3RC.

335 ADVANCED PUBLIC RELATIONS 
Students refine skills learned in the introductory course by designing their own PR campaigns and by working in teams on crisis response simulations. Particular emphasis is placed on developing appropriate and individual approaches to community relations. Prerequisite: COMM 260.

338 COMMUNICATION, TRAINING, AND DEVELOPMENT 
An in-depth exploration of the art and methods of training and development as applied to communication problems in organizational settings. Provides students the opportunity to develop and/or refine training and facilitation skills and to link communication theory and research to organizational practice. Students come away equipped to apply insights in organizational settings.

341 COMMUNICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS 
An examination of approaches to the study of communication channels in complex organizations. Units cover organizational theories, communication climate, message flow, communication audit and communication with the public.