Public Relations Degree

The public relations program at Mesa Community College prepares students for careers as a promotions assistant, public relations specialist, and public relations manager. The program focuses on theories and methods for managing the media image of a business, organization, or individual and the communication process with stakeholders, constituencies, audiences, and the general public. Program course include: public relations theory, principles of advertising, message design, image management, special event management, media relations, community relations, public affairs, and internal communications. Get more details below including other Arizona colleges that offer public relations degrees.

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Mesa Community College

108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ

Mesa Community College (MCC) is a two-year college located in Mesa, Arizona, which is located in the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of 10 colleges that make up the Maricopa Community College District in the Phoenix metropolitan area. MCC offers numerous programs of study for associate's degrees, transfer to four-year universities for completion of bachelor's degrees, career training and service. Its Center for Teaching and Learning provides faculty with opportunities to improve classroom instruction and develop professionally.

History

Mesa Community College was founded as Phoenix Junior College in 1920. It had 15 enrolled students in its first year. In 1960, countywide junior college districts were established, and in 1962, Arizona voters created the Maricopa County Junior College District.  The three original extensions of this junior college district held classes in church buildings around Phoenix. In 1966, a 160-acre campus for the recently renamed Mesa Community College was opened at Southern and Dobson roads. Enrollment increased significantly, and the school continued to grow and develop its curriculum and programs.

Academics

The academic calendar for Mesa Community College follows the semester system with fall and spring semesters and a summer session.

Colleges and Schools

Mesa Community College divides its academic units into Academic Departments, rather than into colleges and schools. The Academic Departments for Mesa Community College are:

• Administration of Justice
• Applied Sciences and Technology
• Art & Photography
• Business and Information Systems
• Communication, Theatre Arts and Film
• Counseling
• Cultural Sciences
• Education Studies
• English
• Exercise Science
• Fire Science/EMT
• Life Science
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Music
• Nursing
• Philosophy and Religious Studies
• Physical Sciences
• Psychological Science
• Reading
• Social Science
• World Languages

Student Life

Students at Mesa Community College have many opportunities to get involved on campus. There are programs for community services and leadership, as well as many student clubs and organizations that foster the development of interpersonal skills.  Groups and activities on campus include student government, Phi Theta Kappa, Chicano de Aztlan, an Amateur Radio Club, the American Society of Interior Designers, a Biotechnology Club, music ensembles, an award-winning student-run newspaper, and intramural athletics, among others. Students may also elect to form their own club or organization.

Athletics

The "Thunderbirds" athletics program at Mesa Community College competes in most intercollegiate major team sports for men and women, including:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cheer and Spirit Line
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track and Field 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cheer and Spirit Line
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Satellite Campuses

Mesa Community College has two primary campuses - MCC at Southern and Dobson and MCC at Red Mountain. It also has learning sites at its Downtown Center, Banner Boswell Center, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Center. MCC also offers Internet courses through its MCC eLearning branch for distance learning.

Community Life

MCC is committed to serving the community through active partnerships with community businesses and organizations. MCC partners with the City of Mesa and the United Way, among others. It also sponsors an organization of local community leaders and school administrators called the Commission on Excellence in Education.

The Mesa-East Valley Rose Society maintains the MCC Rose Garden and includes many community members. Several community service programs are offered through MCC including New Frontiers for older adults, and the Water Watchers Drowning Awareness Program.  MCC's annual "Artwalk - Art on Campus" program showcases the work of both student and community artists.

MCC has an active alumni association that encourages alumni to stay connected with the college and involved with its community initiatives.

Students Enrolled in the Public Relations Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Mesa Community College has offered the following degree levels for students:

• Less Than One Year Certificate
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or give-aways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, advertising and promotions managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 4.7% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
  • Total Employment: 310
  • Average Hourly Rate: $49.09
  • Average Annual Salary: $102100

Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, public relations and fundraising managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.1% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
  • Total Employment: 780
  • Average Hourly Rate: $49.41
  • Average Annual Salary: $102760

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).