Undergraduate Public Relations and Advertising

Photo of three people talking in an Annenberg classroom

With our stories and messages carrying greater influence than ever before, you will develop the expert writing, production, and strategic-planning skills needed to advocate on behalf of a person, brand or organization.

Today, we not only have the capability, but the imperative, to make our voices heard. At USC Annenberg, you will learn how to craft comprehensive public relations campaigns grounded in innovative multi-platform content and audience insight mining. Our position in the media capital of Los Angeles provides the perfect setting for you to analyze campaign outcomes, to conduct original industry research and to apply the theories you learn in the classroom as you prepare for career opportunities that can span business, marketing, advertising, entertainment, technology, healthcare, advocacy, and beyond.

By the numbers

39
public relations and advertising courses We offer 39 undergraduate courses that allow you to create a personalized program of study in public relations and advertising.
We offer 39 undergraduate courses that allow you to create a personalized program of study in public relations and advertising.
53
public relations facultyOur undergraduate public relations and advertising faculty bring their expertise from working in the field to lessons in class.
Our undergraduate public relations and advertising <a href="/faculty#field_faculty_status=active&field_academics=public-relations-ba&field_faculty_type=full-time">faculty</a> bring their expertise from working in the field to lessons in class.
270
students 270 of our undergraduate students are pursuing an academic major in public relations and advertising.
270 of our undergraduate students are pursuing an academic major in public relations and advertising.
99% %
of our Class of 2022 employed within 12 months of graduationOur recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as BBDO, Disney, Weber Shandwick, Warner Media and CBS.
Our recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as BBDO, Disney, Weber Shandwick, Warner Media and CBS.

Student, alumni and faculty work

Giving a voice to people who use wheelchairs

Born with cerebral palsy, Reo Sorensen has made it his purpose to speak out on behalf of his peers in the disability community.

Linking selfless service with PR studies

With over 500K followers across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, Julia Ma hopes to further her reach through studying PR.

Making art from the overlooked

A self-described street artist and alchemist, alumna S.C. Mero transforms everyday street corners in downtown Los Angeles into endearing art that reflects the community.

Merging PR studies with being an Annenberg Ambassador

Charlie Siegel shares the vibrancy of campus life with prospective students through the lens of PR. 

Crafting multimedia campaigns for music, health policy, and more

Progressive degree student Jonathan D’Aguilar creates a diverse portfolio of work, including his own music brand and a health policy campaign for the USC Schaeffer Center.

Charting the new landscape

Through his PR 450 capstone class, Grayson Wolff works with the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics to improve how the center’s valuable, evidence-based insights on cannabis legislation can get be better shared.

Photo of the USC Annenberg media center

Build your audience insight and content creation skills

Our state-of-the-art Media Center and Digital Lounge allow you to gain hands-on experience while acquiring the advanced multimedia and analytical skills necessary to tell stories while measuring impact across platforms. Through the center’s Digital Media Analytics Desk, you can learn to monitor the social stream as well as how to collect and analyze data for real-time events, brand communication and advertising campaigns. The Digital Lounge offers a creative makerspace where you can develop your technology and content creation skills, including Adobe Certification.