The role of a Public Relations (PR) representative is to use written and oral communications with skill and proper tract in relaying information and messages on behalf of a person, persons or organization.

As a successful PR Rep will be able to make their message heard and received by individuals and the media. An unsuccessful PR Rep can hurt and tarnish ones reputation. To ensure that you don’t become the latter, consider a Masters in Public Relations.

Public Relations Curriculum

A typical masters in public relations degree program consists of courses in communications, marketing, journalism, and writing skills, public communication, social media, marketing principles, technical and business writing, and consumer behavior.

While entry-level positions are a great start for Public Relations graduates, a masters in public relations can help you not only get your foot in the door at many PR firms, but the rest of your body too! Being able to articulate successfully in a number of fields, such as health care, engineering, sales, and science will make you a more versatile PR representative. Fortunately, a masters in public relations will help you reach that versatility.

Masters Degrees in Public Relations

The master degree in public relations program can be found as both a traditional “brick-and-mortar” on-campus program as well as in an online degree format. If you haven’t heard about online programs in the past, they are basically the most modern form of distance education available to college students.

Right now, there are only a couple of accredited universities offering a Master’s degree in Public Relations online.

Here’s a summary of each:

The George Washington University – Masters in Strategic Public Relations

The online Master’s in Strategic Public Relations at The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management will position you to excel in the Public Relations profession by integrating core public relations skills and the practical application of strategic thinking. The program delves deeply into the underpinnings of the field and applied communications, ethics, research, public policy, politics, and the emerging demands of new media. The curriculum is particularly relevant to public relations professionals who work in the public policy arena, the political arena, in PR firms, and corporate and non-profit PR departments.

Read more or get a program guide from George Washington State University.

Kent State University – Master’s in Journalism & Mass Communication – Public Relations

The Kent State University Master’s degree in Public Relations is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in communications, ranging from management-level careers at a public relations firm or in-house PR positions to opportunities in social media or specific PR specialty areas. The program offers advanced training in social media, management, crisis communications, branding, internal communications and strategic campaigns. Graduates are equipped with the skills and abilities companies need to win in the marketplace.

Read more or get a program guide from Kent State University.

Online Public Relations Degree Programs

Online degree programs allow you to attend class from your own personal computer. All you need is an internet connection and your computer and you’re all set! Online degree programs may sound a bit unusual at first, however you will find that the content included in online degree programs (including the master degree in public relations program) is basically the same, just presented in a different way.

Online Study vs. Campus Study

As an online student you will receive a unique user ID and password that will allow you to log on and view lectures, read additional materials, “chat” with classmates through online chat rooms and message boards, and also communicate with your professor or instructor. Exams and homework is also submitted online.

Many people have found that they want to enroll in online classes for the freedom of where and when they want to learn. With a traditional college course you need to be at a certain place at a certain time. Online learning is totally different. While there are general deadlines you have to meet, you fit your classwork into your personal weekly schedule and find days and times that work best for you.

Summary

The master degree in public relations program, either online or on-campus, is a great way to brush up on your PR skills. Since you can find work representing one or a number of people, you can become an independent or freelancing PR agent, or work for a firm. Either was a master degree in public relations can help launch your career as an articulate and tactful public relations representative.

• Marist College was founded in 1929 in Poughkeepsie, NY
• Online MBA Program is AACSB accredited
• Marist College Online offers 32 Bachelor’s degrees, 11 Master’s degrees, 20 Certificates
• Recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report Rankings
• Listed as one of Barron’s Best Buys in College Education
• Named one of the nation’s best schools by Princeton Review
• Recognized as one of the “most connected” schools by Forbes Magazine
• Marist Online students can enroll in accelerated 10-week semesters
• Marist College also offers accelerated, 2 year degree completion programs for those who live near Poughkeepsie, NY

What sets Marist College – Poughkeepsie, New York apart?

Looking for a way to increase your educational net worth but can’t afford to spend years and years working towards a degree? Marist College Online understands that dilemma and wants to help students work towards earning a fast degree. Marist College Online has always been ready to offer students new programs and ways to enrich their education, and now they are ready to bring you several different accelerated courses to help speed your way to your degree.

Marist College Online Accelerated Courses

Most programs at Marist College are the typical 15-week course, whereas enrolling in eLearning at Marist College Online allows students to enroll in 10-week courses, with online access to all course materials 24/7. Since the joy of online learning includes setting the courses to fit your schedule, you can complete these courses within your own time, morning, noon or night any day of the week. Marist’s website currently offers their schedules for the fall semester. Should you have enrolled in September, your courses would end in mid-November. Each course is three credits, so even though it’s a shorter course, the credit value is still the same.

Marist College Online Degree Programs

• Master of Arts in Communication
• Master of Business Administration – AACSB accredited
• Master of Arts in Educational Psychology
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Science in Information Systems
• Master of Science in Technology Management

Online Undergraduate Courses are also available

Accelerated Marist College Poughkeepsie New York Campus Programs

Marist College at its Poughkeepsie, New York campus also offers a few programs on-campus that are part of a fast degree program (degree completion for students with some prior college credit).  Marist College is proud to offer 2 year Bachelor programs in a “cohort” based environment. Basically what that means is that the same group of students enrolls and completes each course together.

Although grades are given individually, students develop a sense of team and community by all starting together and working their way to the end of the program, when degrees are given. Courses are taken one at a time, in six-week modules, so this format is especially helpful for busy, adult students. Students may also supplement their studies with online classes.

Should you want to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Communication or Social Work and Psychology, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, the college offers 2-year programs in both fields, but it requires onsite attendance either twice during the day or once a week at night. These are also degree completion programs for students with some prior college credit.

Students also communicate with their professors online using bulletin boards and chat rooms between on-campus sessions. Each course module is just 6-weeks long, so the 2-year program comes and goes very quickly!

• Fisher College is located in the historic Back Bay neighborhood of Boston and was founded in 1903
• Tradition of Fisher College is to serve the educational needs of different populations
• City of Boston provides numerous cultural, educational and recreational activities, such as theater, concerts, famous historical sites, sports teams, shopping, cafes and much more
• Fisher College Online offers a number of online accelerated degree programs
• Regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges

About Fisher College Online

The small size of Fisher College offers a unique college experience, with individual attention, wonderful academic support, a high graduation rate, and the skills needed to succeed in your career.

Fisher College initially emphasized vocational preparation during its first few decades. Then in 1952 Fisher was approved as a two-year college by the Board of Regents of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Five years later, in 1957, Fisher was given degree-granting powers.

Fisher gained accreditation in 1970 with its membership in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Fisher College Online has designed its programs to meet the changing needs of both traditional and non-traditional learners by combining a liberal arts education with pre-professional and career programs.

Fisher College Online Degrees

Due to Fisher College’s commitment to academic excellence, graduates are required to acquire and demonstrate competencies in written and oral communication, critical thinking and research skills, computational skills, technological literacy, civic responsibility, as well as ethnic, racial, and cross-cultural understanding.

Fisher College Online offers degree and certificate programs both electronically and at locations in eastern Massachusetts through its Division of Continuing Education.

Accelerated Terms at Fisher College Online

The academic year for Fisher College Online is divided into six terms of approximately 8 weeks with no mandatory campus class meetings. These shorter terms give students the opportunity to complete their degree programs sooner and enter their new careers ahead of traditional campus-based students. Online classes utilize the Blackboard learning management system.

Fisher College Online offers the following accelerated degree programs:

Associate Degree Programs

• Business Administration
• Business Administration: Accounting Concentration
• Computer Information & Systems
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education
• General Studies
• Health Information Technology
• Liberal Arts

Concentrations offered:

• Humanities
• Justice Studies
• Social Sciences
• Women’s Studies
• Medical Assistant
• Paralegal Studies
• Psychology

Bachelor Degree Programs

• BA Communication and Media Studies
• BS Human Services
• Management

Concentrations offered:

• Computer Information & Systems
• Fashion Merchandising
• Health Care Management
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing
• Public Administration

Fisher College Online Tuition and Financial Aid

Fisher College Online believes in providing an affordable education to every student, regardless of family income, with a moderately low annual tuition of about $21,000. Fisher College therefore, participates in all federal aid programs, offers grant and scholarship assistance, and offers an array of alternative financing and payment plans designed to meet your needs.

Additional factors taken into consideration when determining awards include academic promise and financial need, in a committed effort to meet as much of a student’s financial need as available funds will allow. Financial aid is available through a variety of sources, including grants, loans, federal work-study, and scholarships. Many options are available to help pay educational expenses, regardless of income and assets.

Source:  Fisher College Online.

• Founded in 1877 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and moved to Colorado in 1884
• Inspired by the particular Jesuit vision of Ignatius Loyola
• Ranked as one of the Best Universities for 12 consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report
• Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• 130-year tradition of academic rigor, intellectual exchange, and faculty commitment to each student’s personal development in the Jesuit tradition
• 5 week or 8 week terms offered

Two format choices: Traditional semester or accelerated terms

The online courses at Regis University Online come in two formats: the regular, semester-long online courses and an accelerated program. If you are a working adult who wants to focus on your career while getting a fast college degree, then this program is right for you. There is no better way to get an online college degree quickly, while maintaining your home and work life.

Students are able to focus on one or two courses at a time while maintaining full-time status through this accelerated program. This means that you don’t have to switch your brain between physics, English and business management every couple of days. You pick one or two courses that you are enrolled in at one time, and because of the accelerated nature of these courses, you will get your college degree fast.

There are two types of accelerated degree courses, the 5-week and the 8-week. This means that within a regular 16-week semester, you are able to complete either two or three accelerated terms, with as many courses as you can handle in your schedule. This is an extremely flexible setup, because adult students can choose to take only one or two courses during each accelerated term, or more.

The speed that you complete your online college degree depends on how many courses you take per semester. This accelerated program gives you the flexibility to manage your school time around your work and other life commitments.

Regis University Online degree offerings:

• Accounting
• Applied Science
• Business Administration
• Business Technology Management
• Communication
• Computer Networking
• Computer Science
• Computer Information Systems
• Database Technologies
• Software Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Software and Information Systems
• Information Technology Management
• Information Assurance
• Criminology
• Education M.Ed program
• Finance
• Marketing
• Nonprofit Management
• Organization Leadership
• Organization Development
• Public Administration

Regis University Online Tuition

Tuition at Regis University is mid- to upper-ranged. For a student living in residence, it will cost $37,682 per year. This includes full-time tuition ($28,400), mandatory fees ($300), and room and board ($8982). For part-time students, fees are around $888 per credit hour. Online courses vary by program, but most are around the part-time costs.

There is plenty of financial aid information available at Regis University online. They have links to federal financial aid, military discounts and benefits, grants, loans, scholarships and more. They also have a number that students can call to speak to a live operator who will answer all of their financial aid related questions.

Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts

• Established in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts
• Ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News Rankings
• Accelerated 12 month, 18 month, and 24 month fast college degree programs
• Financial aid and scholarships are available to qualified students
• Northeastern University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Business School is AACSB Accredited

About Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts

With more than 50 online programs, several of which are accelerated, fast college degree programs, Northeastern University offers significantly more online degree plans than the majority of traditional, campus-based universities who have been around since the 19th century.

And the best part is, no matter which degree program peaks your interest, you will receive the same quality level of education as you would in a regular classroom from a university who has been teaching students for more than one hundred years.

What to expect from Northeastern University Online Programs

Northeastern University online courses include discussion boards, multimedia lectures, streaming video, and podcasts of various lectures, all set on a standard user-friendly template which will give you the best online experience possible.

The technology used by Northeastern University Online is provided by Blackboard, which is a very well-known and established learning management system used in online classes around the nation. They also have a system called “Smarthinking,” an online tutoring system, as well as “Live Classroom,” a web conferencing tool. So, even when you’re not in a real classroom, you may still be able to get that traditional, interactive classroom feel.

Read more or get a program guide from Northeastern University Online.

Northeastern University Online Degree Programs

If you are interested in completing your degree a bit quicker than the basic 4-year college experience, Northeastern University Online has a “Fast Track Degree Program”.

This fast college degree program will enable you to complete your degree in 1-2 years, depending on the program. This is ideal for working adults and those with family commitments.

The Northeastern University Online Fast Track Degree Program follows the cohort system of learning where students complete their degree programs together, so, you work with the same group of people in each class.

This provides you with an opportunity to network, establish relationships with people that have an interest in the same field as you, and build teamwork skills.

The 18 and 24 month programs listed below are designed for those who have already earned an associate degree, or an equivalent number of credits.

Northeastern University Online MBA Programs