Undergraduate Public Relations and Advertising

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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 create meaningful connections between people, brands, organizations, and their audiences by building skills in content strategy, persuasive messaging, and social media campaigns. 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

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.

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 faculty 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.

100% %

of our Class of 2023 employed within 12 months of graduationOur recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Apple, Golin, Weber Shandwick, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Microsoft.

Our recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Apple, Golin, Weber Shandwick, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Microsoft.

Student, alumni and faculty work

Eight people stand on a stage in formal wear and smile at the camera. Two of them hold awards in their hands from PRWeek.

Where PR’s next chapter is being written

USC Annenberg takes home top PRWeek awards, highlighting a culture of innovation, mentorship and industry impact.

Crafting the message

With over 20 years of industry experience, Professor Melanie Cherry helps students analyze social and cultural trends to understand their ripple effects on the economy.

Public relations and advertising major Andrea Fernandez Cruz.

Pizza, Pixar and purpose

Andrea Fernandez Cruz finds her voice through the Bay Area Career Immersion Program.

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An insider’s view

Explore potential career paths in communications, PR and media through immersive Maymester programs in cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

Built together

Public relations and advertising major Taylor Altman and her fellow 2026 grads reflect on the friendships, mentorships, leadership experiences, and career opportunities that shaped their time at USC Annenberg.

Becoming a leader

Through his class, “Improvisational Leadership,” Professor Fred Cook prepares future PR leaders to be courageous, bold and to unapologetically speak up for what they believe in.

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.

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