New York City Masters in Public Relations on Campus Programs | Masters in Advertising & Public Relations Degrees

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Masters in Public Relations on Campus​ Programs Overview

Masters in Public Relations on Campus​ programs are designed for students who aspire to a career that might involve marketing communications, media planning, sales management or understanding how to use new technology to promote brand images. Public relations as an academic field is wide-ranging where prospective students have different options, both academically and for potential future careers. Some Master degree programs in public relations teach students how to understand client needs through effective communications, media relations and marketing campaigns. Other programs offer a leadership training and strategic business management perspective that may work for students seeking administrative roles in the industry where they might need a strong grasp of budgeting, finance, and human resources.

Public Relations Campus Masters Degree Program InformationStudying Masters in Public Relations on Campus means being part of the college experience, which includes access to the college facilities like libraries and gymnasiums, as well as any social services, or groups that round out your education. More importantly perhaps, is something that online PR programs do not offer: interactions with classmates and professors, the ability to network, and the chance to fine tune some essential interpersonal skills.

While The typical prerequisite for entry to masters level public relations graduate programs is a Bachelor's degree in a field related to communications; GRE score; and acceptable GPA, some programs may not require any previous experience in PR, so it is recommended to verify with the university or public relations school that you are considering for your public relations masters degree.

Most masters programs take approximately 2-years to complete and may involve internships, class projects, thesis development and thesis defense.

How to Find

a College, University or Public Relations School

Use GradSchools.com to help you locate a Public Relations program in a specific location; use the city, state or country tabs to generate results. There are different types of Masters degrees such as Master of Arts, Master of Sciences and Master of Business Administration with concentrations in pr, marketing or advertising. Some of the listings you might review may include: Professional and Business Communication, MA in Public Relations, MA Communicative Arts and Sciences, Corporate and Public Communication MA.

Are Masters in Public Relations and Masters in Advertising the Same?

Advertising, media, marketing, technology, entertainment, journalism, social media and public relations are interwoven. While advertising is a form of marketing communication and can be used in a PR campaign to promote or sell a product or service, public relations is the practice of managing the spread of information between an individual or business and the public.

Masters in Public Relations Potential Coursework

Most general programs awarding a Master in Public Relations degree offer coursework that explore theory on communications practices used in government, public communication, non-profit organizations and private businesses.

It is common that a masters program may include internships or culminating capstone projects that entail real-world experience. Coursework within the PR master degree program may include:

  • Media, culture and society
  • Ethics and law
  • Public opinion research
  • Campaign planning
  • Writing for news and media
  • Digital platforms
  • Advertising

Masters in Public Relations Potential Specializations

Some students in Masters in Public Relations on Campus Programs may choose to specialize in an area of the industry in order to either potentially advance in a current career, or establish a niche for the future. Some of the areas of specializations might include:

  • Fundraising
  • Advertising
  • Health Communications
  • Government communications
  • Social Media
  • Entertainment
  • Journalism or Broadcasting

Public Relations Careers

There are a variety of potential careers in public relations, as there are numerous platforms that are being used to promote or generate interest in people, organizations, businesses, governments, products and services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the list of media and communications occupations includes:

  • Announcers
  • Editors (writing, film, video)
  • Public relations specialist
  • Reporters, correspondents, broadcasters
  • Public Relations and Fundraising managers
  • Advertising managers
  • Promotions managers
  • Marketing managers

Some of the current trends in Public Relations include:

  • The growing use of social media also is expected to increase employment for public relations specialists
  • Some advertising managers specialize in a particular field or type of advertising
  • Advertising managers who function as account executives manage clients’ accounts, but they are not responsible for developing or supervising the creation or presentation of advertising
  • Public relations specialists usually work in offices, deliver speeches, attend meetings and community activities, and occasionally travel.
  • Internships at public relations firms or in the public relations departments of other businesses may help candidates in getting a job as a public relations specialist.

Ready to Pursue a Masters in Public Relations on Campus Degree?

Combine your passion for communicating, marketing and promoting people, brands and businesses by enrolling in a Masters in Public Relations program. Start by reviewing campuses using GradSchools.com to help you find a degree that aligns with your goals and interests!

Sources: bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/home.htm | bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm | bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm | bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm

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