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Public Relations

Public Relations

Public Relations (PR) professionals are experts at crafting messages, promoting public images and handling crisis situations. These skills open up a variety of careers to PR students, from planning fund-raising events for nonprofit organizations to publicizing an actor's latest movie, promoting a political candidate's platform or creating community outreach programs for a large corporation. 

PR majors at Gaylord College use our state-of-the-art facilities to develop these skills through hands-on learning and real-world experiences of shaping public opinion and building positive relationships between audiences. PR students have the opportunity to work with actual clients through Lindsey + Asp, a student run Advertising and Public Relations firm along with their relevant coursework.

Gaylord Hall has more than 100,000 square-feet of high-tech classroom, presentation, studio and computer lab space. Gaylord Hall includes four computer classrooms, two complete digital broadcast studios, 14 video editing bays, classrooms and two state-of-the-art open multimedia labs available for all students. 

Is Public Relations for me?

PR students typically have interests in:

  • Writing
  • Creative Expression
  • Advocacy
  • Planning
  • Research
  • Communication skills
  • Media and digital design
  • Collaboration
  • Fast-paced environment

High school preparation could include journalism, broadcast production, event planning, digital design or yearbook.

  • Public relations campaign development
  • Public relations writing
  • Consumer public relations
  • Crisis communications
  • Issue and reputation management
  • Media relations
  • Social media marketing and digital design
  • Market research
  • Adobe Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator
  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Information synthesis
  • Problem solving
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Team work and collaboration
  • Time and project management

Gaylord College has built an incredible alumni network that exists to help yOU! With graduates in PR agencies in major markets, alumni look forward to meeting with, donating and awarding internships to Gaylord students. Advisors and faculty encourage and supplement traditional classroom experience with on-the-job training. With opportunities like career fairs, networking events, premier student organizations, faculty guided trips and tours and study abroad opportunities, there’s no limit to the possibilities with a PR degree.


Classes

What courses will I take?

PR courses include:

  • Introduction to Mass Communication
  • Media Writing & Story Telling
  • PR Principles, Origins & Practice
  • PR Writing Across Platforms
  • PR & Society
  • PR Research, Measurement & Evaluation
  • PR Campaigns
  • Contemporary Problems in PR (capstone)
  • Media Law
  • Gaylord Electives
  • Minor Courses

Wait, I can have a minor?

Gaylord students have the opportunity to minor in a non-Gaylord program as part of their program degree sheet. Typically, PR students minor in:

Full List of Available Minors


Outside the Classroom

How can I get involved?

There are numerous organizations PR students can be a part of. Check them out:

  • Public Relations Student Society of America
  • Lindsey + Asp Agency
  • Gaylord Ambassadors
  • AdClub
  • Magazine Interest Group
  • The Oklahoma Daily
  • Sooner Sports Pad

View more student opportunities and clubs.

How can I study abroad?

PR students have the chance to study abroad with:

  • British Media Study Abroad in the United Kingdom
  • Communicating Culture: Travel writing in Puerto Rico 
  • International Advertising to either Europe or Asia
  • Summer Program in Communication at Erfurt (SPICE) in Germany
  • Summer in Washington, D.C.  
  • JMC: Professional Media Program in OU in Arezzo, Italy
  • Students also have the opportunity for Club Trips in Austin, Dallas, New York City and San Francisco

Additional Study Abroad Information


Your Future with Public Relations

What kind of career could I pursue?

  • Account Executive
  • Creative Director
  • Marketing
  • Media Planner
  • Advertising Sales
  • Brand Manager
  • Strategic Planner
  • Graphic Designer

How much will I make?

  • Median pay for Advertising Sales Agents: $50,380
  • Median pay for Graphic Designers: $47,640
  • Median pay for Art Directors: $89,820
  • Median pay for Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers: $127,560

*Pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics


Gaylord Public Relations Contacts

Kathy Sawyer, PR Adviser

ksawyer@ou.edu
(405) 325-5226

Sherry Kast, Public Relations Area Head

sherry.kast@ou.edu
(405) 325-4718