Online Strategic Public Relations Degree :: Accredited Universities

The Strategic Public Relations Master's Degree and Public Relations Graduate Certificate program takes advantage of GW’s connections in the nation’s capitol, focusing on the public policy system and the advocacy role played by PR firms and PR operations in corporations and associations in the Washington metropolitan area. The Graduate School of Political Management taps into experts in both the PR and political arenas. Plus, you’ll graduate prepared for professional advancement in the field.

The Master's Degree in Strategic Public Relations consists of 11 courses (33-credit-hours). Flexible credentials allow you to apply the graduate certificate toward the Strategic Public Relations Master’s Degree. Classes meet Monday through Thursday evenings in GWU’s Alexandria Graduate Education Center.

Focus areas include Media & Communications Theory, Ethics & Law, New Media Strategies, Evaluating Communications Programs, Crisis Communications, Media Relations, and Management Skills.

Entry Requirements

- A bachelor's degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

- The average GPA of incoming students is 3.4/4.0

The MPS does admit a limited number of applicants on a provisional basis (i.e. probationary status) who have work experience in politics or a comparable field that offsets their low GPA and/or GRE scores.

Other Fees

Show Less

This online learning public relations course was specially created to provide access to those whose work or domestic commitments prevent them from attending a full-time course. In recognition of the special requirements of online learning, support networks have been set up in the form of a student network, academic tutors and residential schools.

Course objectives
----------------------

The course develops a critical appreciation of the role of public relations in contemporary society as well as key analytical, management and communication skills. The course marries vocational skills, tested through practical exercises, and theoretical knowledge.

By the end of the course you should have mastered the skills needed to work at a managerial level in the public relations industry. You should be able to:

Analyse environments, issues, organisational cultures and relationships relevant to an organisation’s reputation
Set objectives, design and implement public relations programmes
Carry out research and evaluation including opinion polls and be able to commission market research
Apply mass communication, media and psychological theories in a variety of contexts
Analyse and make full use of digital media

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

English language requirements
-------------------------------------

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (6.0 in all bands).

If you don’t meet the required score you may be able to register for one of our pre-sessional English courses. To register you must hold a conditional offer for your course and have an IELTS score 0.5 or 1.0 below the required standard.

Other Fees

Show Less

Our Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations with an option in Strategic Communications is far more than a communications major. The courses in this program encompass aspects of advertising, marketing, public relations, communications, technology, law, research, social media, and many other disciplines. By studying a diverse range of topics in these fields, you can learn how to select the appropriate medium to reach your chosen audience — and design a powerful communication strategy to influence them.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

You can learn to create, analyze, execute, and evaluate communication strategies that can be applied in many industries and organizations, such as government, health care, public policy, small businesses, and the military. As a successful graduate, you can expand your career opportunities in a wide variety of fields involving communications. In these positions, you may be required to:

- craft a press release about a public issue to change or influence audience perceptions

- analyze advertising and marketing efforts to ensure a positive public image of a company

- develop and maintain relationships and communication channels with community stakeholders to support social responsibility for any organization

- nourish an organization's image based on analysis of the political, economic, technological and social environment to increase their revenues and foster goodwill

- set goals and plan projects to help the audience learn and internalize your message

- conduct communications campaigns to influence the public image of a person or an organization, or to promote a product and increase sales

Who Should Apply?
This program is designed for professionals who need a bachelor's degree to advance their career in strategic communications or are looking to change career paths. It is an ideal program if you want to work in a dynamic environment, analyzing many aspects of a situation, gathering knowledge from different disciplines, setting goals, and creating on-target, comprehensive communication strategies to move your organization’s objectives forward.

Applicants to this program will want to develop or enhance their skills in:

complex problem solving
oral, visual, and written communication
research and analytic techniques
creativity
cultural and social sensitivity and awareness

Entry Requirements

To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate, or have completed your GED.

International applicants
---------------------------------

International students whose native language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency.
The scores must be less than two years old. The following are ways in which you can satisfy the language proficiency requirement:

TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 550 on the paper exam (score reports must be official and cannot be more than two years old (code #2660);

IELTS: A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 on the academic test

SAT score of 530 or higher on the critical reading section (code #2660);

ACT score of 24 or higher on the English section (code #3656);

IGCSE score of A, B, or C on the English language exam,
IB score of 5 or higher on the English Language & Literature (SL/HL) exam,

Other Fees

Show Less

Effective communication? Now you’re talking. Our PR course is the key to protecting and advancing a client’s reputation, not to mention building good relations. You’ll learn the importance of communication in reaching corporate objectives, how to implement strategic plans and campaign development. By the time you finish, you’ll be ready to start your career in the professional communications world.

Entry Requirements

Non-year 12 and mature age students not holding an appropriate Year 12 or equivalent qualification may be eligible if they have:

A nationally recognised qualification at Certificate IV level or above

Demonstrated three years or more work experience in an area related to the study discipline (documentation required)

Successfully completed the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

Successfully completed the Learning and Communicating Online unit of study

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees

Textbooks

Student Services and Amenities Fee (Max. $281/year)

Incidental unit costs

Show Less

Public Relations is one of the fastest-growing areas of specialisation in business. The knowledge and skills associated with public relations are increasingly valued and rewarded in organisations of many kinds. Contemporary public relations practitioners ensure organisations meet the expectations of their staff, customers, regulators, communities, investors, and society in general.

Students will develop their interpersonal and inter-group communication abilities, strategic thinking and planning capabilities, research and information processing skills, and enhance their writing.

Entry Requirements

N/A

Other Fees

Enrolment Fee - $51.40 (NZD)

Student Services Levy - $237.50 (NZD)

Massey Foundation Fee -$22.40 (NZD)

Distance Learning overseas venue fee - $214.20 (NZD)

Textbooks

Incidental Unit Fees

Show Less