Degree in Public Relation Graduate Programs

Pursuing a degree in public relations could be a way to open doors for a variety of career paths. The communications course work could help you develop top PR skills and mass media strategic communication methods. These may be necessary for that industry. A degree in public relations can also provide general skills and knowledge for a myriad of related fields.

Graduate Degree in Public Relations Programs

You may enhance your career or pursue another field entirely with a degree in public relations. These programs have potential to prepare students with the skills and knowledge so they can to take that next step.

Graduates with a Degree in Public Relations 

Pursuing a graduate degree in Public Relations could help enhance your career. Key learnings may include effective media outreach in a fast paced, ever-changing market. If you’re considering a career in the PR field, a degree in Public Relations could help you build foundational skills. These programs also expand industry knowledge. You might also gain necessary experience to enter the industry confidently.

A degree in Public Relations won’t necessarily feed directly into one potential future career. But students who’ve earned this degree may pursue a wide range of occupations.

Ann T. Willets
Professor of Marketing and CommunicationsNJCU’s Wall Campus

Expert Insight

How is earning a graduate degree in public relations useful:

As you move up the ladder, you’re frequently dealing with the C-suite. You need to understand how they think and speak their language so you are relevant and support  overall business objectives. Too many PR people operate in a silo, seeing only their piece of the puzzle. A graduate degree in Public Relations with a focus on business management broadens your purview.

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PR Careers

Potential entry-level careers that you may pursue with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, and may possibly apply your graduate degree to for professional enhancement, may include:

• Public relations specialist
• Sales agent
• Market research analyst
• Event planner
• Writer

Many of these careers are also projected to experience a possible growth in the amount of occupations available, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics¹. From 2021 to 2031, public relations specialists are projected to see a 8% growth², sales agent 3%³, market research analyst 19%⁴, event planner 18%⁵, and writers 9%⁶.

It looks like it could be a great time to become involved with the PR industry.

PR vs. Advertising: Pursuing a Graduate Degree in Public Relations

Those beginning their search for a graduate degree in Public Relations may not know the difference between PR and advertising. They’re quite similar. While both fields aim to distribute messages to the public, the way they disperse information is where the difference lies. Those in the advertising industry pay for their message to be shared to particular outlets. In PR professionals don’t pay and share their message with a wide range of media outlets who may deal with similar material. As you could guess, advertising and PR firms’ interests often intertwine. Because of this, advertising and PR departments often combine in companies so that they may better contribute to each other.

Which Program for a Degree in Public Relations May Be Perfect for You?

When deciding on which PR graduate program to pursue it’s important to understand your own academic and career goals. When browsing the below degree programs, make sure you have a clear image of what you envision your education to be. Make school work as hard for you, as you are for it!

Masters Programs for a Degree in Public Relations 

Public relations master’s degree programs often draw from the foundational skills built during your undergraduate degree, and because of this often require applicants to supply an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to 2.75 in addition to GRE exam scores as proof of proficiency in the subject matter.

Once you’ve determined you’re qualified to apply, there are a plethora of degree programs to choose from. Some PR programs are nestled into a general communications master’s program, while others are a concentration in their own right. Some applicable possible programs you could pursue are a Master of Arts in Public Relations, Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication – Public Relations, Master of Science in Public Relations, and Master of Arts in Public Relations and Image Management.

While these degree programs may offer their own unique specialized curriculum, they do offer some overarching courses that tackle general communication themes: PR history & theory, media strategies, brand development and management, strategic public relations, international relations, and crisis management.

Graduation times in public relations programs may vary due to the intensity of programs, your intended course load, and differing graduation requirements. On average, students may except to complete a degree program in 1 to 2 years.

Public Relations Graduate Certificate Programs

Admissions for Public Relations Graduate Certificate Programs are often more accessible for students. One of the great things about this application process is that GRE/GMAT exam scores are often not required– this could potentially save you time and money, and get you into your desired program faster. Undergraduate GPAs are a common requirement, and students may be asked to submit a 2.75 to a 3.0.

Graduate certificate programs are intended to help students build new PR knowledge and skills, which could make it great if you’re looking to pursue a career change into the communications industry. Courses could cover a variety of topics that could help enhance your public relations abilities, such as managing social media campaigns, writing press releases, brand portfolios, and crisis communication. The concise coursework shortens graduation time and students could expect to complete a graduate certificate program in 1 year. Program lengths vary by school.

Graduate Program Degree in Public Relations Formats

Fitting your degree in Public Relations graduate program into your schedule may seem like a daunting task, but many schools offer varying formats to address students’ scheduling needs. Below are two formats that may help you incorporate your academic life into your existing routine.

• On-campus curriculum and instruction graduate degree programs could be a great way to take on a structured schedule. Classes are offered at the same time each week, which means you could potentially plan aspects of your life – such as work, childcare, or other priorities – around the routine timeline. On-campus programs may additionally offer networking opportunities with classmates and professors. Peers could be a great resource in the professional world, especially when you have already worked with them during your graduate program.
• Online degree in Public Relations graduate programs offer a more flexible program where students may be able to log into classes as their time allows. This could be a perfect way to incorporate your education into your preexisting routine. As an added bonus, commutes are eliminated when your classroom is in your living room! Even when studying online, many schools provide access to resources, such as libraries, to aid students in their research. Some may even offer streamed lectures or course chatrooms so that you may be able to access a bit of the on-campus experience.

Find a Perfect Degree in Public Relations Graduate Program Today!

A public relations graduate program could be the push you need to potentially develop the skills and knowledge for career enhancement in your current industry or make the leap into pursuing a career in a new profession. If you’re ready for the next step in your education journey, browse the list of links provided below. To refine the list further, selected your preferred degree program format or location from the menu. Found a perfect program? Click through the link to request more information, or head to the program’s site to apply! Good luck finding a perfect public relations graduate program, today!

GradSchools.com offers 11 Degree in Public Relation

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