Combine communications, marketing, and media and learn the skills and knowledge needed to create strategic communication and social media plans, put on events, and maintain positive relationships between organizations and their stakeholders. Enter fields like entertainment, politics, social media management, event planning, crisis communication, sports promotion, and community relations.

Put theory into practice with community clients, which have included Habitat for Humanity, DBQfest, and the Black Heritage Survey, among many others. Create internal communications, external outreach, promotional materials, and social media campaigns in Loras’ digital learning lab, which has the latest creative software to prepare you for the ever-changing industry technologies.

Explore Internships & Careers

Besides the experiential learning that takes place in the classroom, internship opportunities offer real-world experiences. You can complete internships for academic credit or non-credit. Many students choose to complete both. Some previous internship sites for our PR majors include:

  • CBS Network
  • Chicago Bulls
  • American Red Cross
  • Discovery Communications
  • Chicago Children’s Museum
  • Edelman, Chicago
  • Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
  • DuPont Pioneer
  • MTV, New York
  • Dubuque Fighting Saints
  • Loras College institutional marketing
  • Loras College Athletic Department

Students can expect to be prepared for a variety of careers, such as:

  • Social media manager
  • Event planner
  • Promotion specialist
  • Communication coordinator
  • Media relations director
  • Healthcare liaison
  • Crisis communication strategist
  • Speech writer
  • Community outreach coordinator
  • Sales coordinator

Course Highlights

Social Media Strategy

Mastering writing is the #1 skill that employers are looking for in the PR field. Students will perfect their writing skills through creating a social media campaign plan and professional report for a community client or a public event, as well as writing press releases, feature stories, social media posts, and brochures. Students utilize both soft and hard skills, and will finish the class with a professional presentation to their client.

Communication Theory

This course offers an introduction to the study of human communication, with practical applications across many different social situations. The primary goal of the course is for students to gain communication knowledge, interest, and abilities so that they will be more reflective of their own, as well as others’ communication. Students will develop more awareness of different communication skills and perspectives, including the influence of gender, culture and media. All of which are intended to guide them in future communication decisions in both personal and professional circumstances.

Principles of Public Relations

This course introduces students to the principles, ethical considerations, and emerging trends in the field of public relations. Students analyze the impact of public relations on society, business, government, culture, and the nonprofit sector while also learning and implementing their knowledge by creating a strategic PR campaign for a real client. Students also develop their own personal brand, and create a personal brand website they can utilize throughout their career at Loras and beyond.

master of science in applied analytics

Data-informed decision-making is in high demand. In as little as one year, you could have a Master of Science in Applied Analytics.

Clubs & Orgs

We have a variety of opportunities for you to get involved from the moment you set foot on campus.

DuMEDIA
Integrated Communications Club
CAB (College Activities Board)
Student Government
DuTHON
Student Athletic Advisory Committee

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

The public relations program has given me a space to be creative through ​producing social media strategies, public relations plans, and graphic design, while also teaching me valuable workplace skills. Through project-based learning with professional clients, I am gaining connections and potential opportunities that will assist me with my long-term goals.

— Nora (’24)

Meet Your Professors

photo of Katrina Neely Eller, Loras College Associate Professor of Public Relations

Katrina Neely Farren-Eller  PhD

Associate Professor of Public Relations

Loras College Crest graphic

Maggie Sullivan  PhD

Associate Professor of Communication Arts

Public Relations News

  • Sadie Bhattarai ('25) with coworkers from her internship at the Dubuque YMCA.

    From Internship to Influence

    Loras College student Sadikshya (Sadie) Bhattarai (’25) is cultivating real-world skills this semester as an intern at the Dubuque YMCA. A creative media and public relations major and religious studies minor, Sadie is thrilled that her role as the social media manager and crisis service advocate aligns with her passion for empowering women and creating positive change. More

  • Aerial View of the Chirst the King Chapel

    ’08 Graduate Serves Church and Community by Livestreaming Service

    “We put our all into it because we really wanted people to have that feeling of connection. And, personally, it was the most fulfilling part of our week because everything else had come to a screeching halt and this was a way to use the gifts that we have been given.” More

  • photo of male smiling at camera

    Constructing a Story

    Jonathan Quinn (’21) knows the importance of constructing a story. As he works on creating his own life story, his education and training at Loras have helped him tell the stories of others through a reflective and forward-thinking lens. At age 23, he already has “award-winning director” on his resume and that is just the start. His Duhawk documentaries, storytelling at Forever Ready Productions, and current role at Morgan Stanley as Research and Multimedia Editor, makes him our June 2023 Duhawk Dozen. More