Public Relations & Advertising

Today's workplace demands professionals who can think critically, write clearly and work effectively as part of a team. With a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and advertising from Point Park, you'll be ready to contribute as soon as you graduate.

In Point Park's comprehensive program - available on campus or fully online - you'll explore both PR and advertising, then specialize if you choose. Starting in your freshman year, you'll take classes with professionals who are connected to the region's leading media companies and agencies. You'll stretch your mind and get hands-on training in four years of fascinating, intense courses. You'll join professional organizations and consider internship opportunities in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Tom Loftus, chief marketing officer, VisitPITTSBURGH speaks to students in JVH Auditorium. Photo | Hannah Johnston — Tom Loftus, chief marketing officer at VisitPITTSBURGH, presented "How Being Crazy Creative Can Make Your Campaign a Winner" to Point Park students.

Integrated Marketing Campaign

Everything you learn will help you understand the world of integrated communications. You will team with fellow students and your professors every step of the way, including during a capstone project, when you'll help create an agency and develop a fully integrated marketing campaign for a corporate or nonprofit client. By graduation, you will have project and presentation experience to impress a prospective employer.

Course Offerings

Point Park's core curriculum and classes in your major will provide you with a well-rounded education. Courses in the PR and advertising program include:

Ad/PR Planning
Social Media
Social Media Crisis & Strategic Communication
Special Events Planning
Introduction to Multimedia
Advertising Campaigns
PR Writing
Visual Storytelling
Video Storytelling
Media & Society
Media Storytelling
Media Literacy
Diversity and Communication
Introduction to Digital Photography
Capstone Project

Faculty bring industry experience to the classroom

School of Communication faculty members are proven professionals with connections to top media and communication organizations.

Meet the faculty

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Jenna Lo Castro, Ph.D.

Professional experience in advertising, newspaper and magazine industries.
Director of communications and strategy, Oyster Creative Collective.
Teaches public relations, advertising and integrated marketing communication classes. Adviser, Ad Federation/Public Relations Student Society of America.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Camille Downing, M.A.

President of Downing Communications, a communications consultancy that specializes in non-profit public relations and marketing
Board member and leader for IABC at the local, regional and international level
Associate professor, part-time, for 16 years at Point Park teaching public relations and integrated marketing communications courses

Video with PR & Advertising Faculty

Career Options

With a degree in public relations and advertising, you will have the option to pursue various career opportunities, such as:

Agency Account Executive
Account Planner
Public Relations Coordinator
Campaign Strategist
Copywriter
Social Media Strategist
Community Relations Assistant
Media Buyer
Internal Communications Coordinator
Media Spokesperson
Special Events Planner
Sponsorship Promotions Coordinator
Web Marketing Executive

Alumni success

Learn about where our graduates have gone on to build their careers.

More news & features

Kim Roberts '15

Roberts is a corporate communications specialist at Michael Baker International.

Maggie Stasko '18

Stasko is an account executive at BCW Global.

News & Features

Marissa Ross '17

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 Point Park University alumna Marissa Ross is the communications manager at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

Hannah (Frye) Bridge '12

Thursday, June 17, 2021 Hannah (Frye) Bridge '12 is a social media manager at Etsy.

PRSA Pittsburgh Honors Point Park Student and Alumna at 2021 Renaissance Awards

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Morgan McCoy '19 received the PR Disruptor of the Year Award, and Emily Sjoberg '22 was awarded a $2,000 Bob O'Gara Student Scholarship.