Masters in Public Relations Programs

Click to view all online MPA programs (and related) that are taking applications now for 2023.

Get Started in Your Public Relations Career

Public relations specialists are at the core of entity-to-individual communications. It is through public relations that businesses can convey their messages to the general public in an effort to bring greater understanding to the company as a whole and the products or services that they provide. Similar to advertising, public relations specialists provide information to encourage the support of the individual or company that they represent.

They are available to bridge the gap between large corporate organizations and society to unify for the common purposes of both. On a different scale, local and national governments also use the expertise of public relations specialists to identify with the public in which they serve. Government officials use public relations specialists to promote their ideas and policies in community settings, in order to provide a personable campaign that the public can relate to. This field provides a great service to individuals and businesses that rely on the public to maintain their function.

MPR programs are available online. If you are interested in being a part of this field, take a look below at some of the methods of obtaining this degree, as well as what is to come after graduation.

University / School	Online Program	Admissions
University of North Carolina	Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Earn your MPA online in as few as 18 months. GRE waivers available to those with an advanced degree. Five concentrations. NASPAA-accredited.	Website
Syracuse University	Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA) Earn an MPA for Executives from the #1-ranked Maxwell School. Complete in as few as 15 months.	No GRE Required Website
University of Texas Permian Basin	Online Master of Public Administration Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.	Website

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Click for online MPA programs that are currently taking applications.

Masters in Public Relations Online

Technology has changed the way that public relations are managed and has provided even more methods of relating to the public. It has also provided a whole new outlook on education, with the influx of online degree programs. Over the years, the internet has provided a wide range of conveniences that have changed the very dynamic of normal, everyday life.

Online degree programs are no exception. If you want a degree program without the hassle of changing schedules and daily interference, than online Master's in Public Relations programs could be exactly what you are looking for. Online degree programs were designed to give educational opportunities to more people, without requiring a large time sacrifice. This program in particular was designed to provide an in-depth look into public relations and how it is applied in different settings. Take a browse below at some of the common attributes of this online master's degree program.

Consider a Featured Online MPA Program

University / School	Online Program	Admissions
American University	Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy Top-ranked school for public affairs. NASPAA-accredited. Online MPA, MPAP, MPP.	Website
Johns Hopkins University AAP	Master of Arts in Public Management Areas of focus in Public Administration and Leadership and Public Policy Evaluation.	Website
Johns Hopkins University AAP	Master of Arts in Government 100% online, part time option.	Website
University of Delaware	Master of Public Administration NASPAA accredited, 30-month online MPA.	Website
Aurora University	Online MPA (one year) 100% online, affordable tuition.	Website

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Tuition, Length, and Accreditation

There are many variations of the online Master’s in Public Relations degree across the country. One university offering this degree program requires 36 credit hours for graduation and charges $1,881 per credit hour in tuition. Fees associated with this online degree program include a $40 application fee, $150 graduation fee, and the costs of books. The minimum time requirement for this degree program is 15 months, but students are free to spread out courses at their convenience – which could ultimately increase the amount of time required.

Accreditation is an important factor to consider, since it provides the authenticity of the curriculum as well as the university. When you are searching for an online Master’s degree program in Public Relations, be sure to locate the accreditation information to ensure that the degree programs meets national standards for higher education. This could prove to be a very important discrimination for you in the future.

Masters in Public Relations and Corporate Communications

Choosing a degree program that is both relevant and competitive in public relations should be one of your main focuses when starting your master’s level transition. There are multiple degree programs available at this level – most of which have the same generalized focus.

One degree program, the Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, is a great option for those wishing to apply the basic principles of communications technology to consumer relations in the business sector. This degree program can effectively prepare learners for the strategic planning needed to progressively approach public communications. There are many different challenges that are associated with the public, most of which require a wide range of skills to conquer.

Choosing a degree program such as this one can potentially set the stage for future positions providing leadership to others within your profession, as well as providing a foundation that encourages individual involvement from the public. Communications is such a huge part of government and business, since it provides contact with the general public – which is the roots of both. Through degree programs such as this one, you can be introduced to various communication tactics such as planning, research, and effective writing.

Sample Courses for a Master in Public Relations Degree

• Law & Ethics
• Communication for Leadership
• Reputation Management
• Social Media Practices
• Crisis Communication

What can I do with a Masters in Public Relations?

There are many different channels for you to potentially indulge with a Master’s in Public Relations. If you have an interest in the government, you could work alongside politicians by arranging press releases, town hall meetings or even news broadcasts. The governmental focus of this field is to gain the public attention and keep it through various methods of contact and indirect advertising.

Communications and Public Speaking

It is not uncommon for individuals in this field to make announcements and give speeches publically. Public relations specialists are also needed to prepare speeches and public appearances for the individuals that they represent on a regular basis.

Business

On the business side of this career path, public relations graduates are needed to help design and implement advertising campaigns that communicate with specific groups or target audiences. In this field, you may be responsible for communicating with customers or related entities via a company website or social media site. Overall, the main focus of public relations in the business field is to promote products, provide information, and maintain sales.

Masters in Public Relations Salary

Depending on whether you choose government positions or business careers, the rate of pay can vary from job to job. Experience is another factor that comes into play when determining the average salary, with more experience equaling more pay as time goes on. Our experts have gathered a few of the common career paths for this degree program for you to review below. These averages are based off of data gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers – $104,140 on average per year (BLS; 2015).

• Public Relations Specialist – $56,770 on average per year (BLS; 2015).
• Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers – $124,850 on average per year (BLS; 2015).