Program Contact: Katie Place 203-582-7804
Quinnipiac offers a five-year Dual-Degree Bachelor’s/Master’s in Public Relations (4+1) program for students who are currently enrolled in any Quinnipiac undergraduate program and wish to pursue graduate studies at the university. If accepted, students typically take 6 credits of graduate courses during their senior year beginning in the fall semester. Those credits can be applied to both undergraduate and graduate programs. Applications for the dual-degree program are available through the School of Communications.
The Master of Science in Public Relations program offers students the opportunity to pursue an advanced degree in a highly competitive and growing field. The program is designed for those interested in advancing their careers in public relations and/or transitioning into public relations from complementary fields such as (but not limited to) business, law, healthcare, technology, human resources, journalism and marketing. The program helps recent graduates with bachelor’s degrees in public relations and other disciplines gain a competitive edge as they enter the workforce.
Graduates of the program are qualified to work as public relations specialists in both the public sector and private sector with expertise and skills applicable to corporate, nonprofit and government institutions. Students study the conceptual and theoretical foundations of public relations, learn how to conduct and analyze public relations research and evaluation, and hone their skills in contemporary public relations practices and techniques. The program stresses professional competence, global consciousness, and professional and social responsibility. The 3-credit capstone course is designed to align with the 10 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) areas tested in the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) exam.
Also available is a Social Media Track for students who want to specialize their degree. Students who choose the Social Media Track take courses that cover social media practices, social and web analytics, and strategic planning. In this track, students learn the fundamental practices that have led to the rise of social media and how to deploy them across multiple platforms and disciplines. Students who complete this track have a firm understanding of the role social media plays in today’s communications landscape as well as the tools to deploy new solutions as this media continues to grow and evolve.
Dual-Degree Bachelor’s/Master’s (4+1) Program of Study
Current Quinnipiac undergraduate students may apply for the five-year dual-degree program in their junior year.
Students in the Dual-Degree Bachelor’s/Master’s in Public Relations (4+1) program complete 6 credits of graduate courses during their senior year, which also fulfills undergraduate electives. Students must work with their undergraduate adviser to ensure that the courses fit into their degree programs.
To earn the master’s degree, students must complete 30 credits with a minimum 3.00 GPA and no grades less than a C. Any graduate course with a grade of less than C has to be retaken.
Sample Schedule
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Year (Fourth Year) | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PRR 501 | Principles and Theories of Public | 3 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PRR 505 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| Graduate Study (Fifth Year) | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PRR 502 | Public Relations Research Methods | 3 |
| PRR 504 | Law and Ethics in Public Relations | 3 |
| PRR 514 | Public Relations and New Media | 3 |
| PRR Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PRR 506 | Public Relations Management | 3 |
| PRR 605 | Public Relations Grad Capstone | 3 |
| Two PRR Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements | ||
| PRR 501 | Principles and Theories of Public | 3 |
| PRR 502 | Public Relations Research Methods | 3 |
| PRR 504 | Law and Ethics in Public Relations | 3 |
| PRR 505 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| PRR 506 | Public Relations Management | 3 |
| PRR 514 | Public Relations and New Media | 3 |
| PRR 605 | Public Relations Grad Capstone | 3 |
| Public Relations elective requirements 1 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Strategic Planning in Public Relations | ||
| Crisis Management | ||
| Global Strategy | ||
| Investor Relations | ||
| Health & Strategic Communications | ||
| Special Topics in Public Relations | ||
| Branding Strategies | ||
| Measurement & Evaluation | ||
| Strategic Public Relations | ||
| Sports Public Relations | ||
| Corporate Public Relations | ||
| Nonprofit Public Relations | ||
| Media Systems and Planning | ||
| Financial Communications and Business | ||
| Graduate Internship in Public Relations | ||
| Strategic Communications Abroad | ||
| Entertainment Public Relations | ||
| Media Relations | ||
| Social Media Analytics | ||
| Access/Diversity/Inclusion in Soc Media | ||
| Social Media Content Strategy | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Free elective | ||
| Select one public relations elective (from list above) or elective from other School of Communications graduate programs approved by adviser | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
- Information Fluency and Analysis: Plan, conduct, analyze and report primary research findings based on a survey, focus group or other appropriate research means, as well as interpret secondary industry research for a client.
- Critical and Creative Thinking: Propose measurable, attainable objectives for a client based on primary and secondary research findings and produce campaign strategy and tactics designed to help the client achieve its goals.
- Effective Communication: Demonstrate both written and oral proficiency within a variety of traditional and new industry communication vehicles and message delivery formats.
- Social Intelligence: Demonstrate an ability to work effectively and responsibly within groups and manage relationships with clients, team members and publics to achieve individual and common goals.
- Quantitative and Qualitative Literacy: Propose an evaluation of a campaign to measure the campaign’s effectiveness.
Admission
- application form
- resume
- cover letter