Public Relations Degree

The public relations program at Eastern Michigan University 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 Michigan colleges that offer public relations degrees.

Learn more by requesting information now!

Eastern Michigan University

Also known as Dorsey Schools- Woodhaven

19810 West Road, Woodhaven, MI

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on a campus covering more than 800 acres.  EMU offers more than 200 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. At the undergraduate level, the major and minor concentrations are delivered via the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Educaiton, Health and Human Services, and Technology.

The nearly 700 full-time faculty members at Eastern Michigan University have doctoral degrees and are experts in their fields. Many faculty members involved students in their research, including those at the undergraduate level.

History

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School to educate teachers for the state's public schools. In 1959, after several name changes, the "Normal School" became Eastern Michigan University. After training thousands of teachers for certification over its first 100 years, EMU expanded its curricula to match the demands of its university status.

More recent advances at EMU include the construction of the Terrestrial and Aquatic Research Facility, the Convocation Center, the Bruce T. Halle Library, John W. Porter College of Education, and the Everett L. Marshall College of Health and Human Services, among other school buildings.

Academics

The academic calendar for Eastern Michigan University follows the semester format, with fall, spring semesters.

Colleges and Schools

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business
• College of Education
• College of Health and Human Services
• College of Technology
• Graduate School

Student Life

There are hundreds of student organizations available on campus at EMU, including everything from an Accounting Club to the American Marketing Student Association, and Big Brothers Big Sisters to many sports clubs or fraternities and sororities.

Student services at EMU include:

• Student Government
• Service EMU
• The Children's Institute
• Disability Resource Center
• Diversity and Community Involvement
• International Students
• Orientation
• Veteran Services
• Ombudsman
• Academic Projects Center
• Academic Advising
• Holman Success Center
• Library
• CATE lab (Center for Adaptive Technology Education)
• Writing Center 

On campus housing is available through several options, including Living-Learning communities. Many dining options are also available.

Traditions

The school colors for EMU are green and white, and the school mascot is the eagle. The EMU athletic teams are nicknamed the Eastern Michigan "Eagles."

Athletics

The Eastern Michigan "Eagles" athletic teams compete in many intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross County
• Football
• Golf
• Swimming and Diving
• Track and Field
• Wrestling 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Rowing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Community Life

Eastern Michigan University has 14 research institutes and centers devoted to community improvement and civic engagement in several areas. Some of the community assistance provided by EMU includes:

• EMU's Center for Regional and National Security and the Michigan Citizens Corps train high school students how to be first responders during emergencies on their campuses.
• The University's Checkpoint Program has, for more than 10 years, helped both college students and area youth learn about alcohol and drug issues. 
• EMU's Coatings Research Institute is working with the Pentagon to develop a coating to protect military equipment and vehicles from corrosion and chemical and biological weapons. 
• The interdisciplinary EMU Water Resources Consortium is researching water concerns and the multifaceted importance of this valuable and endangered natural resource. Its research supports conservation projects and will help maintain high-quality supplies.

Students Enrolled in the Public Relations Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Eastern Michigan University offers a bachelor's degree program in public relations.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (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

• Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 180

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

• Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 290
  • Average Hourly Rate: $62.08
  • Average Annual Salary: $129130

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).