Advertising & Public Relations (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations develops knowledge and skills in advertising and public relations as well as practical understanding of the role these fields play within contemporary integrated communications.

This dual track program exposes students to research-based strategic planning, development of creative materials for multiple communications platforms, and innovative uses of media for promotion, all grounded in ethical and moral principles of persuasive practice. The advertising track further examines advertising’s influence on society, both within national and international contexts, while the public relations track emphasizes writing and presentational skills aimed at internal and external audiences.

Students take courses that prepare them for the world’s job market including advertising and public relations planning, creative design, research, and promotion.

In addition, our location in the Miami area allows students to explore unique internship opportunities within the region’s numerous advertising and public relations agencies, private corporations, and non-profit groups.

Upon graduation, students will be prepared to:

• Develop effective advertising and public relations campaigns,
• Understand how research, strategy, and positioning interact in the context of professional communication efforts,
• Craft original and creative promotional materials,
• Communicate effectively with clear writing and presentational skills,
• Plan effective media strategies that employ complex promotions across media platforms, and
• Apply sound ethical principles in the practice of advertising and public relations, including sensitivity to the social impact of these fields in differing cultural and global contexts.

An Interdisciplinary minor in advertising allows students from across the university to take classes that contribute to their understanding of the most persuasive component of marketing communication. This flexible program allows students the opportunity to explore areas of interest, including strategic thinking, the creative process, digital publishing, mobile and digital advertising placement, global advertising trends and the impact of advertising on society. 

Students in Graphic Design, Marketing, Business, Psychology, Political Science and other cognates in Communication will find obvious relevance in a minor in advertising.

The minor in Public Relations (PR) provide students with an understanding of how PR practitioners manage relationships between the organizations they represent and their many stakeholders. Students develop writing skills tailored to multiple platforms, strategic thinking, research skills which they apply to relationship and reputation management. Students understand persuasion and communication and management of crises.

Those with a background in PR work in public relations and advertising agencies, multiple media platforms, business settings, non-profit and governmental venues.

All students in the Department of Communication have the opportunity to complete an internship as part of their curriculum. Our proximity to the Miami-South Florida area offers our students many exciting opportunities in television, radio, advertising, public relations, magazines, newspapers, business and marketing.

As an international media hub, Miami is home to a wide variety of choices, from traditional television and radio stations, to advertising and public relations agencies and digital media in all communication disciplines.

Students in the Advertising and Public Relations program and in other related fields are encouraged to join the FPRA’s student chapter. Barry University represents not only the 13th student chapter, but also the first chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association in the South Florida Region.

The Barry U Chapter is an on-campus, semi-professional organization designed to build strong relationships with fellow students, faculty, and business leaders across Florida.

By joining the FPRA at Barry University, you will experience benefits such as:

• An invitation to the FPRA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL
• Eligibility to apply to take the exam for The Certificate in Principles of Public Relations in your final year
• Hands-on learning experiences through service-learning with our community partners
• Networking opportunities
• An invitation to participate in the annual FPRA event on campus
• A low-cost yearly membership

In the time it takes to watch a movie, you can apply to attend Barry University. From application to graduation, we support you every step of the way. Apply anytime, anywhere. We accept submissions on a rolling basis, but the sooner you apply, the better. Some majors require extra information for acceptance into specific programs. See what you need to apply, since general admission doesn't guarantee acceptance into all majors.

As part of Barry's diverse, close-knit community of 3,000 undergraduates, you’ll grow and build lifelong relationships. With a 15:1 student to faculty ratio, you'll thrive thanks to individualized instruction and professors who are experts in their fields. The best part? You’ll leave college with the skills you need to succeed and little debt; we work to make school affordable through merit-based scholarships and financial aid.

If you’re a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate, you may qualify for our merit-based scholarships with awards up to $17,000, based on your cumulative GPA and standardized test scores. Scholarships are available for freshmen (including test optional), transfers, international, DACA, and Dreamer applicants. Using your admissions application, we automatically determine your eligibility.

More than 90% of our students receives some form of financial assistance. Apply to see if you qualify for a full array of federal and state financial aid programs. Just submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete it as soon as possible since funds may be limited. Barry's federal school code is 001466. Curious about qualifying? Take a look at our Net Price Calculator.

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