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Studies & Degrees in Public Communication

Public communication is the part of communication studies that deals with messages addressed to the public: how organisations, public bodies, campaigns and causes inform people, argue a case and build trust. The National Communication Association in the United States describes the wider discipline as one that focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts. Public communication applies that to public speaking, public relations, advertising, media relations and political and civic campaigns.

Few degrees carry the exact name. Depending on the university, the same content is taught as public relations, strategic communication, communication studies or media studies, so it is worth comparing course lists and not only titles.

What students learn

Programmes combine theory, writing and practice. The Communication Studies BA at Northeastern University requires courses in public speaking and communication research methods, and its students often concentrate on areas such as argumentation and advocacy, organisational or health communication, digital communication and media production. SUNY Buffalo State University describes its Public Relations and Advertising major as built around research, strategic planning, creative tactics and evaluation, whether the aim is to advance an organisation, promote a product or advocate a cause. Butler University teaches public relations and advertising together in its Strategic Communication degree.

Typical subjects are:

  • Public speaking, persuasion and rhetoric
  • Writing for the media, press releases and social media content
  • Communication theory and research methods
  • Public relations and advertising campaigns
  • Political, organisational and health communication
  • Communication law and ethics

Work experience is a standard part of these degrees. Butler University states that its students graduate with at least one internship for academic credit, and Buffalo State reports that approximately 85 percent of its public relations majors have done an internship. At the University of Brighton, the Media Studies BA(Hons) includes a four-week placement or a work-related research project in the second year.

Qualifications and levels

  • United States. The subject is taught as a major within a bachelor's degree, usually completed in four years. At Northeastern University the Communication Studies BA requires 128 semester hours in total, at least 52 of them in the major. The National Communication Association notes that a communication major can often be tailored through concentrations or tracks.
  • United Kingdom. The Media Studies BA(Hons) at the University of Brighton lasts three years full-time, or four with a placement year, and offers option modules in areas such as branding, journalism and public relations.
  • Mexico. The Universidad de Guadalajara offers a Licenciatura en Comunicación Pública at its Centro Universitario de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades (CUCSH).
  • Spain. Official bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits and official master's degrees 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Spanish rules group these studies in the field of journalism, communication, advertising and public relations.

Short courses and workshops in public speaking or media training also exist. They do not lead to a degree, so ask the school what recognition its certificate has.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 10 active schools for public communication: five in the United States, three in Mexico, one in Spain and one in the United Kingdom. The list includes Northeastern University in Boston, Butler University in Indianapolis, SUNY Buffalo State University, the Universidad de Guadalajara and the University of Brighton. Teaching is in English in the United States and the United Kingdom and in Spanish in Mexico. Because the work depends on writing and speaking, check the language requirement of each programme before applying.

Careers

Graduates work in press offices, public relations and advertising agencies, corporate communication departments, public administration, political campaigns and non-profit organisations. Job titles listed by Buffalo State include press secretary, public information officer, public relations specialist and social media manager.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that public relations specialists, also called communications specialists, typically need a bachelor's degree in public relations or another communications field, social science or business. It counted 314,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects growth of 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 23,000 openings each year. For public relations and fundraising managers, a role that typically requires five years or more of related work experience, it projects growth of 6 percent over the same period. These figures describe the United States only.

Frequently asked questions

Is public communication the same as public relations?

Not exactly. Public relations is one of its main branches. Public communication also covers public speaking, advertising, political and institutional communication and media studies, and universities use different degree names for these combinations.

How long does a degree in public communication take?

It depends on the country. A bachelor's degree in the United States is usually completed in four years, the Media Studies BA(Hons) at the University of Brighton takes three years full-time, and an official bachelor's degree in Spain has 240 ECTS credits.

Do I need an internship?

Many programmes expect one. Butler University states that its Strategic Communication students graduate with at least one internship for academic credit, and Brighton includes a four-week placement in the second year.

What jobs can I get with a public communication degree?

Typical roles are public relations or communications specialist, press officer, public information officer, social media manager and campaign manager. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics names a bachelor's degree as the typical entry requirement for public relations specialists.