To qualify for admission to the Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public Relations or the Public Relations Graduate Certificate, students must first be admitted by the College of Professional Studies (CPS). Applicants are required to have:

• A Bachelor's degree with at least a B average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
  or equivalent from an accredited college or university
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official results of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test or three years of relevant, professional, full-time work experience
• Official results of the Test of English as a foreign Language
  (TOEFL) for students who are from countries where English
  is not an official language and those who do not hold a degree
  from an accredited American institution of higher learning.
  The Test of Written English (TWE) is also recommanded

Preference in admission is given to those applicants with strong academic credentials, appropriate undergraduate preparation, and relevant work experience. An undergraduate major in communications, although helpful, is not required.

Essays and/or writing samples, academic or professional honors, work experience, professional contributions, political activity, community service, and extracurricular activities are also taken into consideration.

Curriculum

Graduate Certificate in Public Relations

6 courses (18 credit hours)

Required Core Courses

• PSPR 201 Public Relations Principles & Practices
• PSPR 202 Advanced Writing for Communications Professionals
• PSC 220 Public Opinion, Political Socialization and Public Relations
• PSPR 204 Media Relations in the New Media World
• PSPR 205 The Business & Budgeting of Public Relations
• PSPR 206 Ethical Standards in Public Relations & Public Affairs

 Master’s Degree in Strategic Public Relations

Start with the required core courses listed above, then proceed to the master’s degree by taking an additional five courses in advanced-level PR strategies (15 credit hours).

Required Core Courses

• PMGT 202 Research Methods for Political Managers
• PSPR 208 Strategic Marketing & Marketing Communications
• PSPR 298 Public Relations & Public Affairs Practicum
or
• PSPR 300 Public Relations & Public Affairs Capstone Research Project

Elective Courses (Any 2 courses, 6 credits)

• PMGT 216 Speechwriting
• PMGT 256 International Political Consulting
• PMGT 230 Issues Management
• PMGT 241 Crisis Management
• PSPR 221 Consumer Behavior
• PSPR 222 Multicultural Marketing
• PMGT 214 Public Opinion Dynamics
• PMGT 231 Lobbying
• PMGT 233 Grassroots
• PSPR 210 Special Topics in Public Relations
• CPS 294 Independent Study

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