PR Education & Resources

Public relations and communication professionals often enter PR from journalism, marketing and many different careers.

Fortunately, you can now get a high level PR education and public relations training at university, college and other institutions as well as professional organizations like Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

We’ve put together some of the better known PR education programs and other sources for professional development.  We hope you’ll find exactly what you need.

Here are some other public relations resources you’ll find useful: PR Profession, PR Coach Public Relations Job Board, PR Jobs and Careers and The PR Coach Blog: This Just In….  Sites with a W are PR Coach “winners.”

PRoactive: The Public Relations Job Hunter’s Guide Seriously looking for a PR job? Get PRoactive – the new book loaded with valuable strategies & practical tips on search tools, social networking, public relations resumes & portfolios, best PR jobs websites, much more.

PR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Here’s a list of 69 of the larger US educational institutions offering PR degrees or majors in public relations. This is not an exhaustive list, so we urge you to look for PR training courses from colleges, professional groups, online or other educational institutions as well.

Universities with the PRSA Certified in Education for Public Relations are noted with the (CERP) designation. The best part is these links take you directly to the Department responsible for the PR or communication program at each university:
Auburn University
Ball State University (CERP)
Barry University
Baruch College
Boston University
Bowie State University
Brigham Young University (CERP)
California State University – Fullerton (CERP)
Carroll College
Central Michigan University
Colorado State University
Eastern Kentucky University (CERP)
Eastern Michigan University
Emerson College
Ferris State University (CERP)
Florida International University
Florida State University
Franklin University
Georgetown University
Golden Gate University
Indiana State University (CERP)
James Madison University
Kansas State University
Kean University
Kent State University
Liberty University
Marquette University
Michigan State University
Monmouth University (CERP)
New York University
Northwestern University
Ohio Northern University (CERP)
Radford University (CERP)
Rowan University (CERP)
San Diego State University
San Jose State University
Seneca College (Toronto, Canada) (CERP)
Southeast Missouri State University (CERP)
Suffolk University
Syracuse University – Newhouse School
Temple University
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Towson University Union University (CERP)
University of Alabama – The Plank Centre (CERP)
University of Cincinnati (CERP)
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Georgia – Grady College
University of Houston
University of Maryland (CERP)
University of Memphis (CERP)
University of Miami
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (CERP)
University of Northern Iowa
University of South Alabama
University of South Carolina
University of Southern Indiana
University of Tennessee
University of Texas at Austin
USC Annenberg School
Utica College (CERP)
Valdosta State University (CERP)
Virginia Commonwealth University (CERP)
Wayne State University
West Texas A & M University
West Virginia University
Western Kentucky University (CERP)

PR EDUCATION TIPS & RESOURCES

Accredited in Public Relations [APR]
Public Relations Society of America’s APR designation is recognized as a rigorous mark of PR achievement. Learn more.

Advice for PR Students
Heather Yaxley offers practical advice for UK PR students and other PR education topics.   W

APR Study Guide
Here’s THE definitive Study Guide to PRSA’s APR accreditation program. All 152 pages online – a valuable reference and resource!   W

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
AEJMC’s Public Relations Division advances PR teaching, research, and professional freedom.

Best Public Relations Programs 2017 – Accredited Schools Online
The Community for Accredited Online Schools has a list of the Best PR programs for 2017. It includes two- and four-year programs ranked by cost, financial aid, total programs, student-teacher ratio, graduation rate, and benefits. A useful resource if you’re looking to learn PR online. W

Canadian Public Relations Society
CPRS is a Canadian professional organization with some resources open to non-members.

Chartered Institute of Marketing
UK-based CIM provides leading marketing industry information, standards and resources.

Chartered Institute of Public Relations [UK]
Excellent UK member CIPR resources and some are available to the public.

Columbia Journalism Review – Study Guides
CJR Study Guides always make interesting and thought-provoking reading.

Commission on Public Relations Education
The Commission produced a 2006 report that looks at PR education foundations, change, and trends in the profession including diversity, technology, and global communication.

Council of Public Relations Firms
The Council represents leading PR firms and maintains some of the best industry material available, many to non-members. Excellent resource!   W

European Public Relations Education and Research Association
EUPRERA focuses on innovative PR research and education while providing a network for members.

Five Free Online Social Media and Public Relations Courses
Dave Fleet points to five free social media and PR courses worth investigating.

Institute for Public Relations
The Institute bridges academia and the profession by supporting PR research and education.   W

International Association of Business Communicators
IABC is a substantial professional resource for specialists in business communications and PR. Some good resources available to non-members.   W

MIT OpenCourseWare
Free OpenCourseWare learning from MIT in many fields including digital media, humanities and more.   W

Museum of Public Relations
Established in 1997, the Museum has valuable history and bios of some of the early PR pioneers.

Online Communications Degree Programs
Find the basics of online degree programs in communications including links to programs and tuition info.

PR 101: What is Public Relations?
Council of PR Firms offers this free 7-module PR course.   W

PR Studies
A blog on public relations education and insights by Richard Bailey.   W

PRSA Certification
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) reviews university undergraduate PR programs and provides a six-year Certified in Education for Public Relations (CERP) for programs that meet its standards.

PRSA Educators Academy
The Academy supports the teaching of public relations and the educators who teach the practitioners of tomorrow.

PRSA Free Webinars
With free registration, these excellent PRSA webinars are available for playback.   W W

Pioneers in Public Relations
RD Smith put together this interesting snapshot of US PR pioneers.

Platform Online Magazine
U of Alabama PR department blog and magazine are thoughtful and interesting to any PR pro. Well done.

Preparation and Education for Public Relations
Dr. Michael Turney looks at the changing face and training needs for PR professionals.

Public Relations Schools: List of US Schools for Public Relations Degree Programs
Melissa Kahney maintains a current list of schools with PR degree programs, types of degree , enrollment numbers and contact info.   W

Public Relations Society of America
PRSA is the PR professional organization of choice. Many resources for members and some for those interested.

Public Relations Students Society of America
With more than 20,000 members in 122 US chapters, PRSSA is loaded with resources for students. Note the news archives.

Research Communications Degrees Online
CommunicationsDegrees.com’s resources will help you research accredited US communications degree programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate level. It has a useful description of the various types of communications fields of work and the best type of degree to pursue whether it’s corporate, PR, digital, healthcare, organizational, marketing, media, or political communications. A valuable resource. W

Should I Get My Master’s Degree to Advance My PR Career?
Amanda Miller Littlejohn answers a key question for PR students.

The Impact of Social Media on Public Relations Education
PR educators are beginning to build in social media into the curriculum at several universities.

The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
Not only does University of Alabama (The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations) have one of the best-regarded PR programs in the US, its website, magazine/blog and resources are exceptional.   W

What’s Wrong with PR Ed; An Interview with BU’s Don Wright
A frank interview on PR education with a teaching leader, Dr Don Wright.

This PR Education page is curated by Jeff Domansky AKA The PR Coach.