Public Relations and Advertising, B.A.
Program Overview
The public relations and advertising (PRAD) emphasis prepares students to think strategically, innovate with insight, and communicate with excellence. Through hands-on learning and real-world client work, students gain the skills to build brands, strengthen relationships, and create communication that makes a meaningful impact.
How to apply
Strategic Thinking, Meaningful Impact
BYU’s PRAD emphasis helps students understand the public relations and advertising industry while developing the skills to lead within it. Students learn to think strategically, transform research into actionable insights, and communicate with relevance and clarity across media platforms.
Through collaborative coursework and hands-on opportunities in the PRAD Intelligence Lab, students gain experience working with local, national, and international clients. The PRAD emphasis encourages students to build strong relationships, lead with integrity, and use communication to strengthen organizations, serve communities, and share light and truth in their professional lives.
Through collaborative coursework and hands-on opportunities in the PRAD Intelligence Lab, students gain experience working with local, national, and international clients. The PRAD emphasis encourages students to build strong relationships, lead with integrity, and use communication to strengthen organizations, serve communities, and share light and truth in their professional lives.
TOP 7%
"Best Colleges for Communications in America" -Niche
85%
School of Communications graduates employed full-time within 1 year of graduation
#20
"2024 Best Colleges in America" -WSJ
WELCOME TO THE PRAD Intelligence Lab
Students in the PRAD Intelligence Lab solve real-world communication challenges for local, national, and international clients. Working in teams, they conduct research, identify insights, and develop communication strategies that create impactful solutions to complex communication problems. Students gain professional experience and are prepared to address similar public relations and advertising problems with skill and confidence.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of BYU’s public relations and advertising (PRAD) emphasis are highly sought after, with many securing jobs at top PR and AD agencies, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and government organizations before graduation. Equipped with real-world experience from the PRAD Intelligence Lab, alumni excel in strategic communication, campaign management, and stakeholder engagement, making a lasting impact wherever they go.
Career Services
Alumni & Student Stories
Interested in seeing what our students and graduates have been up to? Take a scroll…
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Pretzels and Prose: BYU Alum Jon Fischer Starts a New Chapter
BYU Communications Alum Jon Fischer Discusses the Nonlinear Path of the Professional World and the Importance of Staying True to Who You Are and What You Love To Do
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Learning and Brand Marketing With Communications Alum Patrick Jones
Advertising Alum Patrick Jones Reflects on His Unexpected Path From Military Life to the World of Marketing Luxury Brands
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McKinnley Matson on Navigating a Career in Communications
BYU Communications Alum McKinnley Matson Shares How She Found Her Passion For a Career in Airline Communications
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BYU Student to Olympic Broadcaster: Todd Harris on Journalism
From Producing News as a Student to Calling the Olympic Games, Brigham Young University Alum Todd Harris Explores His Journalism Career.
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Derek Westra’s Thoughts on Faith, Facts and Fiction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Reputation Manager Derek Westra Speaks Candidly With Communications Students About Faith and Media
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Paige Holland on Developing Voices of Light and Truth
Paige Holland Shares the Importance of Using the Gift of Voice at the Fall 2025 Beckham Lecture
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‘Hold Strong, Hold Fast:’ How BYU Alum Uses Politics And Firefighting to Serve Uganda and Nigeria
BYU Communications Alum Edward Wright’s Career in Geopolitics, Service and Public Safety in Africa
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Rising Voices, Winning Stories: BYU Comms Students Honored in Prestigious Summer 2025 Competitions
BYU Communication Students Earned Top Honors in Journalism, PR, Advertising, and Media Arts on National and International Stages.
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Communications Alumni Spotlight: Tiffany Austin
Join Us in Getting to Know Tiffany Austin, a CFAC Alum Who Graduated in 2005 with a Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communications Studies!
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Public Relations Alum Colin Wylie on Sharing the Giving Machine With Columbus, Ohio
With the Help of a Miniature LEGO Replica, Colin Wylie Helps Spread the Word About a New Giving Machine
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Photo Essay: A Look Into Alum Emma Benson's Life as a Journalist
With Features About First Responders, Organ Donors and More, Emma Benson is Using Her Storytelling Skills for Good
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Deseret News VP Emily Hellewell on Problem Solving and Variety in the Field of Communications
BYU Public Relations Alum Emily Hellewell Shares Her Experience in the Communications Industry
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STUDENT RESOURCES
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Academic Advising
Receive help with class registration, academic planning, and more.
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Professionalism Policy
Discover how the School of Communications prepares you for the workplace.
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Courses
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
Electives
1st Semester
WRTG 150 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 101 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (5.0 credits)
UNIV 101 (2.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
2nd Semester
COMMS 235 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (10.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
Apply to the major in August or December, after you have completed the prerequisites with a "B" or better.
3rd SEMESTER
COMMS 303 (3.0 credits)
PRAD Strategy Course (R 2.4) (3.0 credits)
PRAD Skill Course (R 2.3) and/or PRAD elective (R 3) (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (4.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
4th SEMESTER
PRAD Research Course (R 2.2) (3.0 credits)
PRAD Skill Course (R 2.3) and/or PRAD elective (R 3) (3.0 credits)
COMMS elective (3.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (6.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
5th SEMESTER
PRAD experiential learning course (R 2.5) (3.0 credits)
PRAD skill course (R 2.3) and/or PRAD elective (R 3) (3.0 credits)
COMMS elective (R4) (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (4.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0
6th SEMESTER
PRAD skill course (R 2.3) and/or PRAD elective (R 3) and/or PRAD experiential learning course (R 2.5) (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (10.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0
7th SEMESTER
PRAD skill course (R 2.3) and/or PRAD elective (R 3) and/or PRAD experiential learning course (R 2.5) (3.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (10.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0
8th SEMESTER
PRAD skill course (R 2.3) and/or PRAD elective (R 3) and/or PRAD experiential learning course (R 2.5) (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (10.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0
COMMS 301 - Media History and Culture (3.0 credits)
COMMS 302 - Popular Culture and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 351 - Media Technology and Audiences (3.0 credits)
COMMS 411 - Media Effects and Health (3.0 credits)
COMMS 416 - Civic Communication and Public Advocacy (3.0 credits)
COMMS 481 - Family, Gender, and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 482 - Religion, Media, and Society (3.0 credits)
COMMS 302 - Popular Culture and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 351 - Media Technology and Audiences (3.0 credits)
COMMS 411 - Media Effects and Health (3.0 credits)
COMMS 416 - Civic Communication and Public Advocacy (3.0 credits)
COMMS 481 - Family, Gender, and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 482 - Religion, Media, and Society (3.0 credits)
PRAD FACULTY
Michael Burke
PR Intelligence Lab Manager, Adjunct Instructor : Social Media
117 BRMB
801-422-4946
michael_burke@byu.edu
117 BRMB
801-422-4946
michael_burke@byu.edu
Mark Callister
Professor: Associate Dean in the College of Fine Arts and Communications
Advertising
188 WCO
801-422-6143
mark_callister@byu.edu
Advertising
188 WCO
801-422-6143
mark_callister@byu.edu
Jason Freeman
Professor: Associate Director - Undergraduate Studies
Advertising
360C BRMB
801-422-4947
jason_freeman@byu.edu
Advertising
360C BRMB
801-422-4947
jason_freeman@byu.edu
Hannah Wing
328 BRMB
