What is public affairs? Public affairs is the interaction of organizations with the public. Usually, it's done with the goal of building business and governmental relations. The industry has evolved over the years. Public affairs is often referred to as a branch or sub-division of public relations. A bachelor's degree may be sufficient to get you started. Find out what it takes to become a public affairs professional in this article.
Concentrations and common majors in Public Affairs
There are many possible careers in public affairs. Public affairs degrees allow you to work with celebrities and politicians as well as organizations as public relations specialists. You could also be a personal assistant to politicians or other celebrities. There are many options. Regardless of what your goals are, a degree in public affairs may be the best choice. Listed below are some of the most common majors and concentrations in public affairs.
A degree in public affairs is a good choice for students interested in civic engagement, politics, public relations, communications, conflict resolution, and more. Some programs allow students the opportunity to focus and tailor their degree to their interests. These are some of the most common courses that are offered in all public affairs degree programs. Some schools have online programs that are currently accepting applications. To learn more about the public affairs degree, visit the departments and schools that offer it.
Some majors and concentrations in public affairs include business, social theory, and social structure. Students interested in this field might also consider applying to the Washington Center internship program, Harrisburg Internship Semester, and the Pennsylvania House Fellowship. These selective internship opportunities will give you hands-on experience and insight into the inner workings of organizations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for people working in political science is $193,000, which is higher than many other majors. Likewise, PennWest California surveyed its political science graduates and found that many of them are working in public affairs, government, or nonprofit organizations.
Public Affairs Career Opportunities
There are many different opportunities for pursuing a career in public affairs. You may be interested in a job as a policy analyst, public relations specialist or human resource manager depending on your interests and skills. Public affairs positions can also include human resource management and marketing. While an associate degree is usually sufficient, a graduate degree may be required to advance to a more senior position. The opportunities in public affairs are Government Affairs varied and are in high demand.
In addition to working with policy, public affairs careers also include government work. Almost ninety percent of U.S. governments employ public affairs professionals to carry out essential public programs and services. Over 1.5 million nonprofits also perform government work. These organizations require public affairs professionals to assist them in their mission. In addition, many for-profit businesses also hire public affairs professionals to assist in their daily operations. This can be a rewarding career option, and many government agencies are looking for public affairs professionals.
The public affairs field has many job opportunities for those with a degree in political science. These professionals can work independently or for a political consulting firm. They can work with political organizations or trade associations. They can also be freelancers or work in the media industry. Career progression in public affairs may include an account executive position to an account manager or even an associate director. Once a professional has gained a degree, they may be assigned to a political organization or a nonprofit.
Courses required for a Bachelor in Arts in Communication in the Public Affairs
If you are interested in public relations, an undergraduate program in this field can help you find your passion. The curriculum in this program emphasizes strategic thinking, writing, and speaking skills. Students will also learn about ethics and diversity in the field. Students can prepare for career opportunities in public relations, marketing, news production, and digital expression. 120 credits are required for the course. The degree focuses on public relations, and related fields.
The Bachelor of Arts program in Communication in Public Affairs is designed to prepare students to work in entry-level positions in this field. The curriculum includes foundational courses in mass communications, ethics, culture studies, journalism, visual aesthetics and digital media. Students can also take electives in related fields to supplement their major. Some students choose to pursue a Master's or PhD in communications and public affairs, which allows them to choose a concentration.
Upon admission to a program, students must take a minimum of four courses in public relations. Public relations, journalism, and communication media are the best courses for students who want to pursue a career as a media professional or public relations specialist. Students may choose Interpersonal Communication or another communication course as their third course to satisfy their concentration requirements. Students should carefully review their concentration requirements with their academic advisor before choosing a course.
