Bachelor in Public Relations/Image Management (Bachelor's)

Tuition is Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $42,500 per year for full-time students..

This programme prepares students for careers in public relations by focusing on strategic communication, reputation management, and audience engagement. Students develop skills in research, campaign planning, and ethical messaging through hands-on work with real clients. The curriculum emphasizes practical experience across five of six public relations courses, including a year-long senior capstone project. Graduates are equipped to work in corporate communications, nonprofit outreach, event planning, and crisis management.

Focus areas include Corporate communications, Crisis communications, Nonprofit outreach, Event planning, Speechwriting, Investor relations.

The programme requires 120 total credits, with 78 credits dedicated to the public relations major. Students complete core courses in communications law, digital media strategy, and research, along with five public relations classes involving real-world client projects and a year-long senior capstone campaign.

Graduates enter roles such as public relations specialist, communications coordinator, event planner, speechwriter, or crisis communications manager in corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and PR firms.

Applicants must submit high school transcripts, standardized test scores if required, and a personal statement. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is recommended. Additional documents may include letters of recommendation and a portfolio for transfer students.

The programme totals about 120 credit hours. On-campus with some courses offered online; full-time or part-time; four years to completion with an accelerated option available. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 64% of applicants.

Drake University places students in Des Moines, a city with connections to the arts, business, politics, and food. The campus offers an open environment for students who want to begin with a clear academic interest or take time to discover a direction. Hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities, and support designed to help students gain their footing are part of the Drake experience.

Academic options span more than 150 programs across seven colleges and schools. Faculty help students connect classroom learning with research, internships, and other practical experiences. Personalized mentorship is central to the student experience, with faculty available to support students as they work toward their goals. Global perspectives are integrated into campus life through learning alongside students from around the world and opportunities on campus and across the globe.

Community service is also part of learning at Drake. Students, faculty, and staff contribute more than 230,000 hours each year through volunteer work, outreach, and pro-bono service in the Des Moines community. International students can expect a setting that links academic study with local engagement and global perspectives, while the city provides access to cultural, civic, business, and culinary experiences beyond campus.