Standards for a Master’s Degree in Public Relations: Educating for Complexity

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Media Coverage

Nov. 21, 2012:
Commission on Public Relations Education Sets Standards for Public Relations Master’s Degree Education

Additional Resources

Differential Visions of An Ideal Graduate Public Relations Curriculum between Educators and Practitioners: Professional Identity as A Driver
(Paper abstract by Hongmei Shen, Ph.D., San Diego State University and Elizabeth Toth, Ph.D., University of Maryland)

PowerPoint presentation of report
(May be used/adapted/modified by anyone making a presentation about the report)

2012 Commission Members

Additional Resources

Russian Translations

Национальная общественная комиссия по образованию в области связей с общественностью США устанавливает стандарты для образования в отношении степени магистра по связям с общественностью

Стандарты для степени магистра по связям с общественностью в США. Комплексное образование: Аннотация

About the Report

This report is a comprehensive review of graduate programs that will serve the profession, the academic institutions that confer graduate degrees in public relations, the students who are enrolled in master’s degree programs in public relations and the organizations that employ these graduates as practitioners or professors. Included are steps to help public relations master’s degree programs leverage educator and practitioner collaboration to increase the relevance of a graduate degree.

The goals for this report:

  1. Provide academic standards for master’s-level public relations programs
  2. Recommend guidelines for accrediting and certifying bodies for master’s-level public relations education programs
  3. Elevate expectations
  4. Recommend standards for educators in regards to master’s-level public relations education
  5. Engage the public relations industry in support of graduate public relations education. By including recommendations for internships, work and practicum experiences, technologic prowess, and student support in research and professional development, the Commission is confident that the suggestions included in this report will benefit a wide array of stakeholders.

This report should not only help standardize public relations graduate education but create guidelines that serve the needs of public relations master’s students and educators as well as practitioners.

By creating a report based on the recommendations of both educators and practitioners, public relations master’s students will receive an education that will equip them with the skills necessary to pursue a doctoral degree or work as a public relations professional. This collaboration was utilized to create education guidelines that are more relevant to the needs of the industry.