Decisions, Decisions....could use some help!

Ok, so I know what graduate degree I want to get, but I'm stuck on the school. Price isn't an issue because I have major help with it (inheritance from grandparents will FINALLY be able to be used). SO here's what I need to know:

1) Best known school name
2) Most respected school
3) Best looking program
4) School that will likely have the best contacts and/or resources for jobs
5) Most attention grabbing school (I say this because some schools just have that "oh look! I know that school! Let's not toss this resume just yet" effect on employers)

Master

Online Master's in Strategic Public Relations Program Overview - The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management

Webster University: Online Programs

Master of Communication Management Degree from the University of Southern California

http://communicationmgmt.usc.edu/downloads/USC_MCM_Brochure.pdf

UF's Master of Mass Communication Degree Online

http://masscommunication.jou.ufl.edu/docs/MAMC_brochure.pdf

 

Not being able to readily answer any question but number 5, both UF and USC are both WELL KNOWN for football. Academically, I also know that UF is a pretty well respected school, especially in the south, while USC is obviously well respected in the west. Strictly from a regional standpoint, I would at least minimally consider that when choosing. I you live in the south, UF will be better due to SEC loyalty, and USC may not go over as well.

Still, I don't think it would be that big of a deal to any HR person worth of holding their position. :laugh:

 

I live in Phoenix...and SEC loyalty is not really a big factor. LOL But thanks

 

If you want to stand out, I'd go for GWU or USC. Florida is nothing to sneeze at, but it is a state school, and nothing about Webster stands out.

 

You might want to check out the December 2011 issue of NewsPro magazine, which is a trade publication for people in the news industry. They polled their readers to identify the 25 best university communications programs in the country. Of the schools on your list, the one that NewsPro readers favored was clearly the USC Annenberg School, which made finished in the Top 5 nationwide (ahead of schools like Harvard, Berkeley, and Stanford).

 

Very cool. I will do that. Thanks!!

 

SO top 10, in order, are:

1 - Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
2 - Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism
3 - Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
4 - University of Missouri at Columbia School of Journalism*
5 - University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism*
6 - Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication*
7 - New York University Department of Journalism and Mass Communications
8 - University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
9 - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication
10 - George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs*


I will note, however, that 11-25 were in alphabetical order so I don't know where they place on the list. Here they are, again 11-25, in alphabetical order (not necessarily in the order they placed on the list):

Boston University College of Communication
Harvard University John Shorenstein Barone Center on the Press, Politics, and Public Policy
Howard University School of Communications
Indiana University School of Journalism
Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
Pennsylvania State College of Communications
Ithaca College Roy H. Park School of Communications
Stanford University Graduate Program in Journalism
University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications*
University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism
University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication
University of Texas at Austin College of Communication
Washington State University Edward R. Murrow College of Communication

I must say, I was VERY surprised at who was NOT in the top 10. Glad to see ASU is, though.

* means this college has an online degree in Communications, Mass Communications, Journalism, or Public Relations

 

The GWU program on your list appears to be in the Graduate School of Political Management. This seems to be a different division of GWU than the School of Media and Public Affairs, which is the one ranked by NewsPro.

 

Oh wow. Ok, thanks for catching that. I didn't even notice it.

 

But it is a highly ranked state school and considered one the the Public Ivy Schools

 

I had never heard of public ivy schools. Very interesting.

 

Absolutely. UF has a pretty stellar academic record, especially in the realm of state schools. It's not just known for Tim Tebow. :friday:

 

Actually, I'm originally from Florida so I know all about UF. I'm from a town not to far from there and actually have a 2nd cousin that goes there. So I know it's well respected and a good school. I just didn't know about public ivy schools vs ivy schools. Interesting concept. I like it....

 

I was in the MS program for a very short time, it was an extension of the graduate certificate program I completed. It was TOUGH and time consuming.