online MASTER's degree in PUBLIC RELATIONS from a well-known school???

I've found that George Washington University has a full online Strategic Public Relations degree. However, they also have a VERY VERY hefty price-tag on that degree...plus I missed the enrollment to get started for Spring 09.

Does anyone know of any well-known and well-recognized schools that offer Master's degrees in Public Relations that may not be so expensive? Every school I've found (except GWU) seems like a "nobody school".

Thanks so much for your help! This site is truly a diamond in the rough!

 

Would a communication, leadership, or policy degree work?

Other than state schools any well-named school is going to be expensive. Can you give us a dollar or tuition price range you want to stay in or around?

 

Thanks for your reply!


Any state school would be fine with me also...just as long as it's somewhat known. I feel like unknown schools will just make employers completely overlook me.

Communications would fine for the Masters Degree, but I just feel an actual focus in Public Relations would be better because thats actually what I want to do.

I'm currently on active duty in the military, which gives me $250 per credit hour tuition assistance. Of course thats not enough for a masters, so I would use my GI bill that would give me roughly $750 MORE per month to pay tuition. So a school that would be mostly covered by that would be great...but I'd like to know ANY other schools that you all might know of.

THANKS AGAIN!

 

Austin Peay State University MA Corporate Communication

http://ccma.apsu.edu/

tuition:

http://www.apsu.edu/BUSINESSOFFICE/ACCTREC/tuition_fees.htm

This university is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board and you might qualify for tuition reductions:

www.sreb.org

 

University of Denver's MPA in Applied Communication ::ublic Relationship & Marketing
URL: http://universitycollege.du.edu/grad/comm/degreeplan.cfm?degreeID=267

 

Norwich University

Walden University

Troy University

AMU/APUS

 

As far as I know, none of these schools have a DL program in public relations.

I have actually done a lot of research on this, because I am also interested in getting a MA in Public Relations. I'm currently enrolled in AJU's BA in Communication program.

In the U.S., there aren't a lot of DL public relations programs, but there are a few. Someone already mentioned Austin Peay, which is a good school. Marist University has a DL MA in Public Relations, as well as a graduate certificate in Public Relations. Montana State University in Billings used to have a DL MA in Public Relations, but I'm not sure if they offer it anymore. There are a few schools which offer graduate degree in "organizational communication", which is similar to a PR concentration. Farleigh Dickenson University offers this program. Syracuse University also offers a MA in Public Relations via DL.

You may also want to look into a MA in Integrated Marketing Communications, which is another program which incorporates PR and marketing courses. University of West Virginia, Eastern Michigan University and Golden Gate University offer these programs.

If you are open to UK schools, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Stirling and The Robert Gordon University offer a MS in Public Relations, University of Leicester offers graduate programs in Mass Communications and Communications.

Just so you know, when it comes to graduate degrees, PR agencies and corporate communications departments most often look for a candidate with an MBA (according to a recent search I did on Monster.com).

 

Montana State University-Billings

 

Hi Terry - Please let me ask a question that comes from my own ignorance:
Isn't a Public Relations degree basically a Marketing degree? If not, what is the difference?

 

They mostly look for an MBA? Really? How did you do that search on Monster?

I was originally going to go for an MBA, but I'm desperately trying to avoid taking the GMAT. I've heard it's TERRIBLE, and I've heard that if I go to school that doesnt require the GMAT then my MBA will be looked poorly upon.

 

The Public Relations degrees tend to be heavy on communications and journalism courses, although there may be a few marketing courses and even some design courses thrown in. Marketing degrees tend to be very heavy on business courses, with a few communications courses added.

 

I just did a search on Monster.com for jobs listed under "public relations" and "corporate communications". Most jobs require a minimum of a bachelor degree in PR, communications, marketing or journalism. The job openings that mention graduate degrees usually indicate "MBA preferred". I haven't seen many that list "MA in Public Relations" or "MA in Communications", but I'm sure it can't hurt.

If you're looking to get an agency job, the name of the school matters more than whether you took a GMAT to get your MBA or not. Of course, most of the big name schools do require a GMAT. I say bite the bullet, study, take the GMAT and see what happens. If you're not happy with your score, there are always options, such as getting your MBA from a school which doesn't require the GMAT, getting your MBA from a UK school, or getting a masters in communications, IMC, marketing, public relations or journalism. While having a degree is important, many companies with PR openings seem to stress experience over education, and a lot of them are looking for PR practitioners with good writing and web site and graphic design skills (design isn't my bag, I'm more into the planning and writing).

I currently work in a marketing/PR position, and I'm looking at getting either an MBA or MS in Marketing from a couple of different UK schools I've been looking at (University of Leicester, Edinburgh Business School or Durham Business School). I may also just go for the online MBA from Oklahoma State University. I haven't decided yet, but I have time before I have to make that decision.

I also recommend checking out the web site of the Public Relations Society of America. They have a job board, list applicants' resumes, and have a certification process for PR practitioners, which many agencies and companies seem to look for in their applicants.

 

OK. I can see it.