Public Relations
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Make compelling cross-channel content. Manage reputations. Foster trustworthy relationships between organizations and their stakeholders.
Why Study Public Relations at Winona State?
Think of public relations (PR) as storytelling with a purpose.
PR is how people and brands share their voices with the world.
It’s about creating buzz, building trust, solving problems, and getting noticed for all the right reasons.
Public relations pros are behind the scenes making lots of things happen.
Like planning big events, launching viral social media campaigns, working with reporters and influencers, and helping organizations respond to crises.
What makes PR so exciting is that no 2 days are the same.
One day, you might brainstorm a creative campaign for a non-profit. The next, you could be writing a press release or managing a video shoot for a brand’s social media.
At Winona State, the Public Relations major is hands-on from day one.
You’ll work on projects for real clients like Target or Mayo Clinic.
You’ll learn how to pitch ideas, lead a team, and communicate with confidence in a variety of ways.
Plus, you’ll build a professional portfolio that will impress future employers.
If you’re creative, curious, and love working with people, then PR is where you can shine.
From supporting a cause you care about to launching the next big brand, the Public Relations major gives you the power to tell stories that matter.
The Public Relations major is offered through the Communication & Media Department.
available annually just for Public Relations and Mass Communication students through the Foundation in addition to general Winona State scholarships.
What Will You Learn as a Public Relations Major?
As a Public Relations major, you’ll learn how to tell impactful stories across platforms. Think press releases, newsletters, and content for websites, social media, videos, and podcasts.
You’ll also:
- know how to pitch stories to the media, manage press conferences, and build relationships with journalists to secure positive media coverage.
- understand public perceptions by conducting audience and market research.
- develop strategic communication campaigns with clear goals, strategies, and measurable outcomes.
- design crisis communication plans to navigate high-stakes situations and protect an organization’s reputation.
A Public Relations major also pairs well with other programs at Winona State, such as Advertising, English, Marketing, Public Health, Communication Studies, Business Administration, Political Science, and more.
Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.
Learn More about the GEP
Program Highlights
On Campus
As a Public Relations major, you’ll take most of your classes in Phelps Hall.
This building features a multimedia studio, interactive media lab, photography studio, and dark room.
You’ll also have access to cutting-edge mass communication equipment for class assignments and other projects.
Think drones, video cameras (digital and old-school film), GoPros, digital cameras, audio recorders, light kits, and more.
Make a difference on campus and build your leadership skills by joining one of WSU’s all-university committees as a student representative.
Help shape communications strategies and policies with the Digital Communications Committee.
Or gain valuable event planning experience. You can invite guest speakers to visit through the Lyceum Committee. You can also help host the culminating graduation celebration through the Commencement Committee.
Want to meet like-minded students and explore public relations? Get involved in campus organizations that share your passion.
Like the American Marketing Association, Public Relations Student Society of America, and WSU AdFed.
Or The Winonan, our student-led newspaper, and KQAL 89.5—our campus radio station.
You might also want to check out the Warrior Entertainment Network, our student-led event planning committee.
With over 100 clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone.
Real-World Projects
In your final semester, you’ll partner with Advertising majors in the Campaigns capstone course.
Together, you’ll form a student-run agency and take on the challenge of creating full strategic communication campaigns for a real client.
You’ll brainstorm ideas, pitch strategies, produce media content, and present your work directly to the client—just like in the professional world.
This is a great opportunity to apply everything you’ve learned and build confidence in your skills.
You’ll also graduate with a portfolio filled with top-quality work that will impress any employer.
Previous Campaigns clients include:
- Anytime Fitness
- Best Buy
- Cambria
- Cameron’s Coffee
- Edina Realty
- Hormel
- Mall of America
- Mayo Clinic
- Target
Beyond the Classroom
As a Public Relations major, you can complete a 120-hour hands-on internship before you graduate.
Students in this program have interned as public relations assistants, social media coordinators, and account assistants for various local and regional companies.
You could find yourself interning at 100 Rural Women, KQAL 89.5, or with the Warrior Athletics teams.
This intensive field experience will give you supervised practice with real-world clients and organizations.
Apply what you learn in the classroom by traveling around the globe. At WSU, you can earn credit that applies to your degree while exploring the world.
Get inspired by 10,000 brands at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
Learn how Germany used messaging to shift the political paradigm after the Nazi Regime. Or explore media production, advertising, and promotional practices in the United Arab Emirates.
You can also check out our more than 100 other study abroad programs across 40+ countries.
Hear from Alumni
Careers & Outcomes
A Public Relations career will challenge you to think fast, work with all kinds of people, and make an impact.
With this degree, you can work in every industry, helping businesses and organizations build trust, manage reputation, and connect with their audiences.
for Public Relations Specialists
for Public Relations & Fundraising Managers
for Advertising, Promotions & Marketing Managers
Learn more about what careers are possible with this major and where our alumni have gone after graduation:
