It’s awesome to know that a degree in Public Relations teaches you how to create and maintain a brand, and how to effectively target your communication.
So If you’re thinking about pursuing a master’s in public relations online, then this article is for you.
The public relations degree online program focuses on developing your skills in thinking, writing, research, strategic planning, and execution. Ethics also plays a large role throughout the program as you develop the public relations skills needed to be a responsible communicator.
Also, a Master’s degree in public relations can help you become an effective public relations Specialist and a very useful member of an organization’s team. With an online public relations degree, you can advance your career and meet your most ambitious goals.
In this article, we explore the best masters in public relations online, the requirements for the application, and also the career paths for learners in this field.
Here is a review of what you should expect in this post.
Table of contents
- What Is Public Relations?
- What Is Masters In Public relations All About?
- Why Earn A Master’s In Public Relations Online?
- What Will I Learn In A Public Relations Master’s Degree Online Program?
- What Are The Admission Requirements For Masters in Public Relations Online?
- How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s in Public Relations?
- What Are The Best Masters In Public Relations Online
- 1. the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- 2. Ashland University
- 3. Syracuse University
- 4. University of Maryland Global Campus
- 5. Missouri State University
- 6. University Of Florida
- 7. Mississippi College
- 8. Marist College
- 9. University Of Southern California
- 10. Drexel University
- 11. Texas Tech University
- 12. California Baptist University
- 13. University Of Denver
- 14. Rowan University
- 15. Maryville University
- What Can I Do With A Master’s In Public Relations?
- How Much Can I Make With A Master’s In Public Relations?
- Conclusion
- Best Masters In Public Relations Online FAQ:
- Sources
- Editor’s Recommendation
What Is Public Relations?
Public relations (PR) is the practice of deliberately managing the release and spread of information between an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a nonprofit organization) and the public.
Public relations (PR) may include an organization or individual gaining exposure to their audiences using topics of public interest and news items that do not require direct payment. This differentiates it from advertising as a form of marketing communications.
What Is Masters In Public relations All About?
Masters in Public Relations programs focus on contemporary public relations, the nature of human communication, and the role of media. These programs often help students to master the ability to write clearly and concisely in contemporary media formats and to be able to address different audiences.
Public relations master’s programs also help students to develop professional management skills or specialize in nonprofit, corporate, or international public relations.
Why Earn A Master’s In Public Relations Online?
A master’s degree in public relations can be learned online as well as offline it depends on what learning format fits into your lifestyle. Just as some people enjoy cream in their coffee and others don’t, you may find that either you gravitate to searching for graduate schools with awesome master in public relations programs or you feel that an online Communication Masters’s program suits your lifestyle better.
If you are a working professional, or caring full time for a family, it may seem like the prospect of earning a graduate degree is too much to take on, or that it would lack the flexibility that you would need to maintain your current lifestyle.
However, earning a master’s in public relations online is a great alternative to on-campus options, one that will allow for the flexibility, convenience, and affordability that you need.
Online programs are often designed differently than on-campus programs, with some even allowing you to earn credits for work and life experience. Many online programs are also offered serially, which allows learners to complete coursework on their schedules. Students who earn their degrees online save money by not having to commute to campus.
What Will I Learn In A Public Relations Master’s Degree Online Program?
The courses you take will differ depending on the school you choose, but many online public relations programs will have commonalities. Sample courses for a public relations degree are listed below:
1. Public Relations Writing
These courses will provide you with strong skills in written communication, likely on all types of platforms and through all kinds of mediums
2. Law And Ethics
This course examines law and ethics within public relations and how professionals in this field must abide by them.
3. Communications Research
While earning a master’s in public relations online, you will likely encounter at least one research-based course, which is designed to provide skills in research methods and execution, as well as a wider understanding of the existing scholarship in the field.
4. Media And Society
This course provides a deeper understanding of how it functions and the role that public relations play. This course may also emphasize how public relations fits into society.
5. Identity And Branding
Many masters in public relations online programs include a course that addresses the identity and the branding of an organization and/or individual. These are important aspects of being an effective public relations professional, as it will be your job to represent the identity and specialized brand of the company or individual you are employed by.
What Are The Admission Requirements For Masters in Public Relations Online?
Admission requirements might vary from school to school. Below are the possible admission requirements for the public relations online program:
Work And Experience
Many programs require applicants to possess 3-5 years of professional work experience. While not always a requirement for admission, work experience can set you apart from other applicants.
Grade Point Average
An applicant’s undergraduate GPA can help admissions committees predict how well a student could perform in grad school. Many masters in public relations online programs require applicants to possess a 2.5-3.0 minimum GPA. Students should find out the minimum GPAs required by their target schools before applying.
Graduate Record Exam Scores
The GRE is not a requirement for all master in public relations online programs. However, prospective students should research their desired programs and determine whether or not this is required.
Related Bachelor’s Degree
Some public relations programs expect prospective students to possess a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communication, or a related field. This, however, is not always the case.
Letters Of Recommendation
Applications for most master’s in public relations online programs require prospective students to submit two or three letters of recommendation. Recommenders should describe an applicant’s quality of character and their likelihood of success in a public relations program.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s in Public Relations?
The USNEI site describes the typical school year for higher education institutions as “an academic year divided into two equal semesters of 15-16 weeks’ duration, with a winter break of 2-3 weeks and a summer session of 10-12 weeks”. Colleges online present 16-week sessions as well as accelerated courses of approximately half that length.
Online students have the opportunity to fulfill curriculum requirements more rapidly than is usually possible at on-campus colleges.
Online programs may deliver coursework either asynchronously (no set class times) or synchronously (set class times). Synchronous programs offer more accountability and peer support, which can help students stay on track for graduation.
Self-paced asynchronous courses, on the other hand, may allow students to move through coursework as quickly or slowly as they would like. Working professionals and busy students often prefer asynchronous courses because they can set their own schedules.
What Are The Best Masters In Public Relations Online
There are many masters in public relations online programs out there but we have picked the 15 best out of them. They include:
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Ashland University
- Syracuse University
- University of Maryland Global Campus
- Missouri State University
- University Of Florida
- Mississippi College
- Marist College
- University Of Southern California
- Drexel University
- Texas Tech University
- California Baptist University
- University Of Denver
- Rowan University
- Maryville University
1. the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Located about 150 miles southwest of Chicago, It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school offers several distance programs, including a 32-credit online master’s in strategic brand communication that features a fully remote curriculum.
This program combines components of the business, advertising, and marketing. Students earning this master of science complete courses such as promotional strategy, strategic analytics, data visualization, strategic media management, and consumer insights.
Learners must also complete a capstone project before graduating.
Applications must include three letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and an application fee. Full-time students can complete this online program in 15 months.
2. Ashland University
Program: Online Master Of Arts In Corporate And Strategic Communication.
Tuition Fee: $1,964.
The Department of Communication Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences at Ashland University offers a Master of Arts in Corporate and Strategic Communication (MACSC) degree program that can be completed online in as little as eighteen months.
The curriculum for Ashland University’s entirely online Corporate and Strategic Communication program requires 30-credit hours of classes, comprised of prerequisites, major courses, and specific track focus area classes.
Students choose between the Health & Risk Concentration Track and the Public Relations Concentration Track, and the Public Relations track offers classes like “Seminar in Social Media Platforming” and “Public Relations Campaigns.”
All students in the MACSC program complete their degree with a Capstone in Communication Studies, and the coursework is all taught by the competent and experienced Ashland faculty.
3. Syracuse University
The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University presents an online MS in Communications degree program with a Public Relations specialization that combines the reputation of a renowned institution with the convenience of entirely online coursework.
The 33-credit hour MS in Communications program requires five core courses exploring topics like “Multimedia Storytelling” and “Digital Communications Systems,” and four courses are dedicated to the Public Relations specialization that covers theory, management, planning, and design elements in the field.
4. University of Maryland Global Campus
UMGC is a public school located in Largo, Maryland. The university holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and provides distance students with access to many programs, including an online master of management with a specialization in public relations.
This master’s program requires 36 credits. Pupils learn to evaluate the effectiveness of public relations campaigns, develop new ways of reaching target audiences, understand ethical and legal issues in the field, and further develop their writing skills. Required courses include financial decision-making, statistics for managerial decision-making, and organizational theory.
Incoming students without work experience must complete remedial introductory courses in research methods, accounting, and financial management, and graduate writing. Learners need to maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA throughout the program to remain in good standing.
5. Missouri State University
Missouri State Online provides the online master in a Communication degree program, and with a student’s choice of electives, several areas of concentration are available, with choices such as “Public Relations Campaigns,” “Concepts and Analysis of Public Relations,” “Communication Technology and Politics,” and “Presidential Rhetoric” leading to an emphasis in Public Relations.
The 32-credit hour program is housed within the School of Communication Studies and can be completed in two years, and the Missouri State faculty in the Department of Communication provides direct interaction and “a reputation of excellence through their teaching, research and publication accomplishments.”
Missouri State Online Student Support Services are available to all online master in Communication students, and in addition, specific graduate communication advising is provided.
6. University Of Florida
The University of Florida enhances its online Masters in Mass Communication with a Public Relations specialization by partnering with major consultant organization APCO Worldwide to bring real-world, innovative techniques and best practices to their Public Relations students. Provided through the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (CJC).
The entirely online master in Public Relations requires 33-credit hours, with core courses such as “Measurement & Evaluation” and “Strategy & Messaging” and a final capstone project.
Students who pursue the degree on a full-time basis can finish in just eighteen months, but the online aspect of the program allows students the flexibility to complete the degree at their own pace.
In addition to the partnership with APCO Worldwide, the University of Florida enlists a Public Relations Advisory Council to make sure the already cutting-edge curriculum maintains its relevance and provides the right resources to students.
7. Mississippi College
Located in Clinton, Mississippi College is a private college that offers an online master’s in communication. The school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and serves approximately 5,000 students.
Offered through the Department of Communication, this program best serves students who wish to improve their marketability for a career or prepare for doctoral study. Distance students may pursue concentrations in integrated communication or professional communication in health services administration.
Online learners complete 31 credits. Required courses for the integrated communication concentration include communication research, persuasion, public relations, and process and effects of communication. Degree-seekers must also complete a convocation paper and take a written exam.
8. Marist College
Through the Marist College School of Communication and the Arts, students can pursue an entirely online Master in Integrated Marketing Communication degree (MA in IMC). The Marist online IMC Degree program requires 30-credit hours, and all coursework is offered asynchronously for convenience.
The program can be completed on a full-time basis in just three semesters, and part-time students can take up to three years. The curriculum is made up of relevant classes such as “Global Consumer Insights,” “Social Media Strategies & Tactics,” and “Analytical Tools for Decision Making.”
A final Integrated Marketing Communication Capstone course finishes the program, and the Marist Communication Department faculty provide support alongside the academic advisors who are assigned to each student.
9. University Of Southern California
The prestigious USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism offers a Master of Communication Management Online degree program that is renowned for its rigor and quality.
Learning from the USC Annenberg faculty, who have “deep academic expertise and extensive professional experience,” students engage in an online curriculum that was “designed to build real-world leaders for the modern workplace.”
Master of communication management(MCM) Student Testimonials speak to the success of the program in creating critical thinkers and leaders, and prospective students have access to a multitude of program videos to give them insight into the program itself and what their experience would be like as an MCM distance learner.
The 32-credit hour program imparts a “full toolbox of advanced skills” to graduates through the coursework (including classes like “Communication, Attitudes, Values and Behavior,” “Foundations of Effective Public Relations Writing,” and “Online Marketing Communication Development & Analysis”), as well as through the final Communication Research Practicum.
10. Drexel University
Drexel University’s online MS in Communication with a concentration in Public Communication prepares students for “careers in journalism, public relations, and nonprofit communication” by providing the “skills and insider knowledge to manage communications for any organization” (there are two other non-public relation concentrations also available in Science and Health Communication and Technical Communication).
The 30-credit hour program (45 quarter credits delivered over four ten-week quarters allow for a shorter time in which students earn their degree) is divided into core Communication courses such as “Theories of Communication and Persuasion” and “Creating and Managing Communication Professional Identities,”.
11. Texas Tech University
The Texas Tech College of Media & Communication provides an Online Masters in Strategic Communication and Innovation that prepares graduates for “senior-level positions as strategic communicators in today’s global and digital environment.”
The 30-credit hour, exclusively online degree program requires courses such as “Strategic Communication in a Global Environment” and “Media Management, Entrepreneurship & Consulting” to build the strategic communication foundations, and electives such as “Multimedia Story Telling,” “Audience/Data Analysis & Reporting,” and “Advanced Social Media Practice” allow students to focus on the coursework that will specifically help them achieve their professional goals.
12. California Baptist University
The California Baptist Online Master of Arts in Public Relations degree program (MAPR) takes pride in producing professionals who can “communicate with credibility, relevance, and impact.” Utilizing a faith-based and biblical context, the MAPR curriculum is comprised of 33-credit hours of courses such as “Legal, Ethical and Social Foundations of Public Relations,” “Critical Thinking and Crisis Management,” “New Media Strategies,” and “Public Relations Campaigns: Social and Physical.”
The CBU public relations faculty have experience with online teacher training as well as the effects of media and public relations, and the MAPR program is delivered by the Division of Online and Professional Studies, which was “established for the specific purpose of serving the needs of an increasing number of adults and non-traditional students seeking higher education.”
13. University Of Denver
The 48-credit hour online Masters in Communication Management degree program at the University of Denver University College provides students with six concentration options, specifically one in Public Relations. The fully online degree can be completed in as little as eighteen months—all students participate in the same twelve credits of core courses, such as “Research, Measurement, and Storytelling” and “Business Fundamentals for Communicators,” and choose between a final Capstone Project or Portfolio Capstone.
The Public Relations concentration courses comprise fifteen-credit hours of the degree program, and cover topics like “Communication and Society: Theories and Applications” and “Dimensions of Reputation Management.” An additional nine credits of electives round out the program, and students can (with approval) choose from any other University College program to source their classes.
14. Rowan University
Provided as a partially online program through Rowan Global Learning & Partnerships and previously known as the Master of Arts in Public Relations, Rowan University’s Masters in Strategic Communication degree program allows students more freedom in focusing on an area within their professional interests.
Students can choose to focus on “media relations, strategic writing, event planning and management, visual communication, online public relations, or school public relations,” and all coursework is taught by the Rowan University faculty, who have experience both in the field and in the classroom.
Classes are relevant and accessible in a hybrid format (evening face-to-face classes and online classes), with a 33-credit hour curriculum made up of required courses like “Graduate Strategic Case Studies and Public Relations Planning” and “Graduate Strategic Visual Communication.” The remaining classes are chosen in conjunction with the student’s focus area, and there is no thesis requirement to complete the degree.
15. Maryville University
Promising an “experience-driven degree,” the online Masters in Strategic Communication and Leadership program at Maryville University makes it possible for students to “graduate with at least three in-demand professional certifications” (from Google AdWords, Salesforce, and HubSpot).
The completely online coursework in the 36-credit-hour program is comprised of a Strategic Leadership core, a Strategic Communication core, electives, and an optional Emerging and Digital Media Concentration. Classes are rigorous but student-centered, covering topics like “Strategic Communication Best Practices,” “Public Relations Research & Strategy,” “Professional & Organizational Ethics,” and Emerging and Digital Media Concentration.
See also: 20 Online Masters in Political Science Programs in 2023
What Can I Do With A Master’s In Public Relations?
Graduates who earn a master’s in public relations online can secure positions like public relations specialists, human resources managers, sales account executives, internal communication managers, and learning and development analysts.
How Much Can I Make With A Master’s In Public Relations?
A graduate’s pay depends on their position, location, and experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), public relations specialists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $60,000. The lowest 10% of public relations specialists earn approximately $34,000 per year, while the highest 10% earn more than $112,000.
Conclusion
Earning an online master’s degree in public relations can be a very good idea, especially for graduates who work and don’t have time for physical classes.
It is also a good idea to know the best online programs for this course so as to make your study worthwhile.
Best Masters In Public Relations Online FAQ:
Professionals do not usually need a master’s degree to work in public relations. However, some employers may require a graduate degree for certain positions. An online master’s in public relations can also set you apart from other candidates in the competitive job market, position you for leadership roles, and increase your earning potential.
Graduates who earn a master’s in public relations online can secure positions like public relations specialists, human resources managers, sales account executives, internal communication managers, and learning and development analysts.
A graduate’s pay depends on their position, location, and experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), public relations specialists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $60,000. The lowest 10% of public relations specialists earn approximately $34,000 per year, while the highest 10% earn more than $112,000.
A master’s degree in public relations can be learned online as well as offline it depends on what learning format fits into your lifestyle. Just as some people enjoy cream in their coffee and others don’t, you may find that either you gravitate to searching for graduate schools with an awesome master’s in public relations programs or you feel that an online Communication Masters’s program suits your lifestyle better.
Masters in Public Relations programs focus on contemporary public relations, the nature of human communication, and the role of media. These programs often help students to master the ability to write clearly and concisely in contemporary media formats and to be able to address different audiences.
Sources
- mastersprogramsguide–masters public relations
- bestcolleges–online public relations graduate programs
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