The School of Communications will begin offering a master of science degree in public relations in the Fall 2009 semester.
"Public relations is a dynamic field in which professionals can pursue an extraordinarily wide range of specializations in business, government and nonprofit," said Kathy Fitzpatrick, professor of public relations and director of the master's in public relations program.
"Health care public relations, for example, is one of the fastest growing areas of public relations practice as the nation's population ages. International public relations also is expanding as globalization increases at a rapid pace. Other expanding practice areas include technology, litigation, crisis management, multicultural and public diplomacy."
The program is for early to midcareer professionals interested in advancing their careers in public relations or transitioning into public relations from complementary fields, such as finance, law, health care, technology, human resources, journalism and marketing. The program also helps recent graduates with bachelor's degrees in public relations or other disciplines gain a competitive edge as they enter the workforce.
"Public relations professionals help organizations they represent respond to challenges and opportunities created by globalization and new media," Fitzpatrick said. "As the world becomes increasingly complex and organizations, nations and people become more interdependent, relationships are the new capital required to successfully advance organizational goals and objectives."
Full-time students can complete the 36-credit program in one year by taking 15 credits each in the fall and spring terms and completing a six-credit research thesis or professional project during the summer or subsequent terms. Part-time students may take up to six years to complete the program.
Unlike many master's degree programs in which public relations is a concentration students take to earn a degree in mass communications, Quinnipiac's program focuses exclusively on professional practice in public relations. Through elective courses and the thesis or project option, students can specialize in areas such as international public relations, investor relations or health care public relations.
Program graduates will attain the public relations expertise and skills to work for corporate, nonprofit and government institutions. Students will study conceptual and theoretical foundations of public relations, learn how to conduct research and hone their skills in contemporary public relations practices. The program stresses professional competence, global consciousness, and professional and social responsibility.
"Traditional skills are still important for public relations specialists - research, writing, presentation - but today's public relations professional also must analyze and solve problems, manage issues and data, analyze operating environments and counsel organizational leaders on the public implications of decisions and actions," Fitzpatrick said.
New students are admitted only in the fall term. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
For more information, contact Quinnipiac's graduate admissions office at 203-582-8672 or 800-462-1944 or graduate@quinnipiac.edu.