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Masters in Public Relations: Course Curriculum for a Masters Program in Public Relations

Published Aug 10, 2009

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New media, ethics and communications are among the topics covered in the course curriculum for a master's program in public relations. A master's degree in public relations prepares graduates for careers as public relations managers for corporations, government institutions, associations and nonprofits.

Public Relations Master's Degree Course Curriculum

Public relations professionals, also known as media relations specialists, convey a company's image to the public and the media through press releases, promotional campaigns, special events and responses to journalists' inquiries. It's their job to understand the target audience for a company's products and services and create promotional materials and campaigns tailored for that demographic. Public relations professionals also work for nonprofits, government agencies, associations and organizations. For full-time students, a master's program in public relations takes two years to complete. The following are some of the courses you can expect to take in a master's program in public relations.

  • Marketing Research: This course teaches public relations students research methodology and the effectiveness, evaluation and analysis of data obtained through surveys, focus groups, personal interviews and other techniques.
  • Public Relations Campaign Strategy: A course in campaign planning covers the main types of public relations campaigns and different approaches to implementing them.
  • Written Communication: This course teaches students how to express themselves clearly and professionally through press releases, media kits, background papers and other forms of corporate communications.
  • New Media: The topics covered in a course in new media for public relations professionals include marketing through online communication, social media, citizen journalism and blogs.
  • Ethical and Legal Standards: This course teaches students the legal and ethical principles public relations professionals are expected to adhere to.
  • Public Relations Management Principles: A management course in public relations covers such topics as leadership principles, conflict resolution, management styles and teamwork.

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