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:

Integrated Marketing Communications Planning
Social Media
Introduction to Multimedia
Advertising Campaigns
Media Planning and Buying
PR Writing
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
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

Maggie Stasko '18

Stasko is an account executive at BCW Global.

Kariann Mano, '16, and Stacey Simon, '07

From Point Park University to Havas PR: Alumni work for one of the world's largest communications groups.

News & Features

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.

Kayla Snyder '20

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Alumna Kayla Snyder is the first permanent U.S. employee to work remotely for Battenhall, an award-winning communications agency in the U.K.

Emilee Fails '19

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 Working for the NFL: Emilee Fails '19 is a content designer for the Washington Football Team.