An exploratory look at graduate public relations education

Abstract

This was an exploratory, pilot content analysis of master’s degree programs in public relations found on the World Wide Web that describes the status of public relations graduate curricula. By using recommendations of the Foundation for Public Relations Research and Education as a benchmark, we examined general requirements, core public relations courses, optional public relations courses, and other optional courses. Findings indicated a lack of adherence to the Foundation’s recommendations and a lack of consistency across programs in the number and type of courses required or offered. Linda Aldoory is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland at College Park. Elizabeth L. Toth is an associate dean of Academic Affairs and professor of Public Relations at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.