Graduate
Degree Programs
Public Relations
The program is designed to prepare students for public relations management positions in a wide variety of industries. The degree is ideal for those with professional experience who are ready to advance their careers and for professionals from allied disciplines who wish to transition to public relations or further enhance their knowledge and skills.
This is a professional graduate program with all coursework offered at night and on IUPUI’s downtown Indianapolis campus in modern, state-of-the-art facilities. The program is specifically designed for working professionals with three to seven years of experience. The degree requires 34 credit hours and selected coursework is online. No thesis is required, although it is optional. The degree may be completed in two or three years.
This interdisciplinary graduate degree requires courses from the IU Department of Journalism.
Graduates are prepared for management positions in public relations firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, associations, and health and life sciences organizations.
Students may specialize in three different areas of management:
- General Public Relations Management-This focused area of study prepares graduates for public relations positions that require an increased amount of managerial knowledge and ability. The courses in this area of study are designed to focus on general management skills and experience, paired with an advanced public relations curriculum.
- Public Relations in Health Care and Life Sciences-This unique area of study prepares graduates for positions in today’s rapidly growing fields of health care and life sciences. This is a vital and growing business sector in Indiana with multiple organizations in the health care, life sciences and biotechnology, major hospitals and pharmaceutical industries. This track of study includes an advanced curriculum in public relations and business courses, with distinctive coursework concentrated in health care and life sciences public relations.
- Sports Public Relations Management-This focused area of study prepares graduates for public relations positions in sports organizations both professional and amateur ranging from sports teams to sports leagues and sports federations nationwide. Specific courses focus on various unique aspects of sports public relations at all levels.
Prerequisites
Within the first year of the program, if not previously taken or accounted for by professional experience, the student must have completed:
- JOUR-J 219: Introduction to Public Relations (3 cr.)
- JOUR-J 390: Public Relations Writing (3 cr.)
- JOUR-J 300: Communications Law (3 cr.)
Degree Requirements for the M.A. in Public Relations Completion of 30 credit hours including:Public Relations Core Courses: (5 courses)
- JOUR-J 560: Public Relations Research and Evaluation (3 credits)
- JOUR-J 560: Public Relations Planning (3 credits)
- JOUR-J 529: Public Relations Campaigns (3 credits)
- JOUR-J 528: Public Relations Management (3 credits)
- JOUR-J 560: Public Relations Theory (3 credits)
- PR Management Track In addition to the core, students take five general electives in Journalism and Public Relations or Communication Studies.
- PR Sports Track In addition to the general core, students take three core sports courses (JOUR-J 543, JOUR-J 540, and JOUR-J 542) and two electives in Journalism and Public Relations or Communication Studies.
- PR Healthcare and Life Sciences Track In addition to the general core, students take two core topics courses (public relations in the life sciences and integrated marketing communication in healthcare) and three electives in Journalism and Public Relations or Communication Studies.
Grades
No grade below B- (2.7) will be counted toward this degree.
